Other art...

Last post I showed pics of the pottery I entered in the show, and completely ignored the 2D pieces that I also entered. Just in case you like that sort of thing, here are some photos of my block prints on rice paper and my acrylic painting (sold yesterday!).
"Hibiscus I"



"Hibiscus II"



"Haliconia"



"Mango Season"



16"x24" "A Day at the Beach"



Hope you enjoyed the photos (even though they are from the phone)... now I have to paint another "Day at the Beach" for the wife. Fun, fun, fun...

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Ceramics Celebration VII

The show is over, but here are some pics of the things that I had entered in it. I figure I did pretty well in sales - half the inventory I entered, considering I was showing with the college ceramics professor














































Then there are the pots from the professor:










































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What do you think?

I finally found out today that the things I needed for this year's classes were cut from the budget. So once again I must teach a ceramics one class without a budget for clay, tools, glazes, or even a kiln. So this year I have been pushing the students to pay their lab fees, and have collected enough for a ton of clay, and half the glazes I need. I still have about 50 who still need to pay. Today I started asking the teachers and staff if they would be willing to donate $25 each for a kiln, and I will make a bunch of cups, bowls, vases, etc., and they can choose one at the end of the school year. Any other thoughts or ideas? Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. :-)


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My kingdom for a kiln!

The shelves at the CCVP are getting bare, and I have another 40 pieces or so - but they need their final firing. :-(
What I wouldn't give right now to own my own kiln!


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Ceramic Celebration V Plus - Opening Night

The show started with a bang!  The first hour showed at least 6 of my pieces sold, and an equal number of the college ceramics professor's work.  I had a lot of interest in my painting, but no takers ... at least tonight.
I took lots of pics, so here they are!



Here's some of the professor's interesting works:



Hope you enjoy the show!

Ceramic Celebration V Plus

Stand by for pictures tomorrow night.  Just delivered 26 pieces, and an acrylic painting, with some lino cuts tomorrow.  Opening at 6pm.  Will let you know how it goes!

Apologies to all....

Apologies to all who have followed this to see what the students (or myself) have been up to. This new school schedule is a nightmare for staff an students alike. My classes average 30 p/class, and my max allowed is supposed to be 24. Not to mention that when they changed the schedule, they shifted a bunch of teachers to other schools. So now, there aren't enough English or Science teachers ( only one per grade level). Which means that I will probably volunteer to teach physical science during my prep period.
Most weeks (Mon - Fri) I teach Teachers in the evenings for 5 - three hour classes in using technology in the classroom. There are two classes every Saturday.
Needless to say, I haven't been reading many blogs, or even looking at clay. I miss my clay!
I will be starting classroom post as soon as the daytime sched. evens out. Be well, and I hope to be able to catch up soon!
Robert


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Location:Southern High School

Another Year... Another Project

     Again this year, one of the projects that I will be assigning the students is a ceramic artist research paper.  It is a chance for them to see the works of many different potters, with many different styles and types of clay works – from different parts of the world.  They have to download 2 pictures of the artists’ work, and email the artist to ask a number of questions about their work, such as: what influenced their style, the medium they work in, the glazes they used on a particular piece, etc.  They only need to write 750 words, but I’m hoping they will end up with much more. 

     May I have your permission to steer them to your blog and website to obtain information, and to contact you by email?  I would appreciate it immensely, and you would be able to influence this new generation of students in their search for new outlets in the world of art.   Please pass this on to other potters who may be interested in helping.

Thanks in advance for reading this post, and for your quick replies. 

Happy Mudding!

     

Time to start school again...

     Just got my classroom ready for the students, and the district pushed back the start date by two weeks.  So I have plenty of time to slake down that clay that needs recycled, and throw as many pieces as I can in the next two weeks!  It looks like they funded the class this year, but still don't know how much they are going to give us.  The government is in the middle of downsizing as much as they can, and as many people as they can afford to.  At least I still have permission to build the wood kiln this year.  I need to find out if the local cement and block company makes bricks suitable for a kiln.  If not... I may have to just use whatever I can get and line it with fiber blanket.  Next - to see if I can get donations for it!
     I just got back (three weeks ago) from an eight week vacation to the States.  It was great to see family again, especially my father.  While visiting with him in Sierra Vista, Arizona, I was able to go use the local community center's open studio.  ( facebook.com/groups/potterystudiosierravista/ )
They have an excellent deal, with 8 hours of studio time, with materials, for only $22.  So I made 3 bowls and got them glazed before I left.  I gave the studio 2 of them for their "empty bowls" project in Oct. (I think), and my sister picked up the other to give to my Dad.  At least I got to get my hands muddy during the trip!

Bowl 1 had a nice set of cut feet.  White glaze over a cobalt blue glaze.

Bowl 2 had an invisible foot ring cut in the bottom.  Also white over cobalt blue.

A little better view of the insides.

While in the States, I also picked up some dremel tool bits to do a little carving on some hardwood flooring blocks that I got at the fair there.  I want to do a couple of "island style" designs in the wood blocks, for stamping on my wares.

     I have been following a blog called "Karatsu Pots"for quite a while.  It seems they are having a one week workshop in May of 2012, on the Tea Bowl.  So I have signed up to go, and have now got permission from my school principal to go (even though it happens during the school year).  I can't wait to spend a week in Japan, studying under a number of Japanese Masters!  If you are interested, here is the website to go to so you can check it out:  Workshop!  I would sure like to see some of the people I blog with there.  Hope you can make it.  

      I also wanted to put out the call for potters who would be willing again this year to let students interview you by email or facebook, and do a report on you and your work.  Please drop me a line at TropiClay@gmail.com if you can help out.  Finally, stay tuned for more student work!

Happy Mudding Y'all!

I miss my clay!

Haven't been able to do anything since starting vacation...except spend time with


this great guy! He is so much fun!


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Location:N Melrose Dr,Vista,United States

No pics today :(

Finally finished my clearance form at school, and everything is cleaned and put away in the classroom. Now trying to take care of the million and one things needing done before leaving the island, heading stateside. Only 32 hours till take off, and still need to pack my clothes... they are in the dryers as I type this.

The last load out of the kiln looks fantastic, and I hope to get pictures up tomorrow. The two tumblers with the palm tree under the true celadon, turned out great! However, I like the tree on one and the form of the other... now if I can put the two together. ;-). On a good note though- someone wants the small one (the nicer form) for $20. I really need to photograph and measure it tomorrow! The small round bowl with feet (the carved green here) is sold for $30 to one of the school counselors.

Once I get back home and build up some stock, the gallery here - there is only one, apart from the University's, wants to start carrying my work. Soooo...I need some input from all you professionals out there on how this is going to work - before going in to talk business with this gentleman. I have no idea what to expect.

I still might be able to swing a side trip out to the Seagrove area while I'm in the states, but don't know how to get there. What airport would I fly into? How far is that from Seagrove? Would any of you mind me coming to learn from you for a day? This inquiring mind would like to know. Please drop me an email and let me know?!
Thanks, and good night!
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Location:4,Sinajana,Guam

First Annual Student Show!

Most of you have heard of, and are awaiting for pictures from, the First Annual Southern High School Student Show!  So without further ado, here is a slide show from the event.  I wish the students from the first half of the year would have come in and glazed their work as well, because they have more work than was displayed, still sitting on the shelf as bisqueware.  I could have literally FILLED  the showroom with all the work.  Oh well, next year will be different.
Enjoy the pics, and leave your comments PLEASE?!

The first day started out with a trip across the island to pick up one more kiln load of glazed wares for the show.  When I arrived and unpacked the kiln, I found one of my earthenware bowls in with the student's work so I just laid it out on the table too.  The entire weekend was clear, with occasional showers - a typical tropical island day.

After the first batch of tourists had left I realized that I was so busy with them that I didn't take any pictures!  So I did a walk-around video of the work, to give you a better look at some of the pieces.  I hope you enjoy the video...



And here are the still shots of the show that I got the second day.  Enjoy!

First Annual Student Show

Got feet?

For some reason I just can't let it go without a good foot on it! Next stop - the kiln!


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Finishing up

Fifteen miles each way, back seat filled with greenware (Mondays & Fridays),


and bisqueware (Wednesdays and Saturdays) for the last two weeks. One more week to go - I hope...
Now that they can see what the final outcome looks like, the students are a little more motivated. Here's a taste of their work...
























(glaze samples)



I decided to use their Christmas ornaments (which they didn't want to glaze) for "coasters" to keep the glaze off the shelves. It worked great. I will post some more (clearer, individual pictures) later today.

Next year I will be attempting to build a small wood kiln on the high school campus. I will need simple plans for something about 10 cf in size. If anyone would like to help with some simple plans - something the students can help build, I would greatly appreciate it.
The fun part will be getting the bricks needed. Guess it's time to start grant hunting. Will post more pics later.
Happy Mudding!

Location:Chln Inifok,Yigo,Guam

So THAT'S what was wrong....

I have noticed that lately I have been a bit ... cranky, to say the least.  The students have been getting on my nerves more, I seem irritated all the time, and I'm just tense and on edge.  I thought maybe it was just the end of the year rush to get everything made and glazed in time for the student show, or spending every minute at school, in my classroom, so the students can come in and finish their works.  That makes for a long day - having no breaks.  I was even eating lunch at my desk.
     Today, when my 2nd period left for lunch, I decided to take a break.  So I put a sign on the door saying "Sorry, I'm in a meeting",  turned out the lights, and went down the hall to my studio room.  I decided it was time to reacquaint myself with my wheel.  I broke out a bag of a nice brown earthenware that someone donated, and spent the next hour and a half wedging and throwing.  I will trim them tomorrow at lunch, and try and figure out what I want to do for decoration.
     The afternoon went by smoothly, and with no irritation.  I was actually relaxed, and cracking jokes with the last class of the day.  OMG it felt good to get back on the wheel again!

It's only five medium bowls, but hey - it's a start!  I just realized that I haven't thrown anything in three months.  Now wonder I was feeling so ... crazy!