Loosening up

In between selling a house and buying a house, I've been kind of stalled out on making work for a few weeks. The last few days I've been back in the studio feeling pressure to make up for lost time and also feeling like it's hard to get focused again. So, in between stretches throwing pots, I've been taking breaks to do some sketching to loosen up the creative block in my head. As always, once I just start working, I suddenly start having ideas again. It feels good to get some work started and I'm hoping to have a productive month because I know I'll be consumed with house renovation in April and moving in May and then before I know it, summer shows will be here. 

Featured on Try Handmade!

My work was recently featured on Try Handmade.  Erika Jurney blogs about the work of independent artists and handmade goods to enhance your home. I love her selections and am excited to be included. Be sure to check it out...and remember to support handmade, whether by purchasing on etsy or buying directly from local artists.  

A Little Music for the Soul

I was just downloading photos from my camera and came across this photo from our holiday open studio event. My father-in-law brought over his accordian and played music outside our studio! This kind of thing makes me realize how lucky I am to have such close and supportive family. I know I couldn't be trying to make my living as an artist without them!!!!

A respite from the cold

I just unloaded a kiln full of fun pots this afternoon. A bright spot in an otherwise bleak week. I've been really taken down by a bad flu/cold this week and haven't had the energy to get much done. Trying to get my last show applications in and get some work out to galleries. One new gallery you'll see my work in this spring is the Grand Hand in St. Paul, MN. 

Think Spring

Yes. I guess I am really tired of the long Minnesota Winter. No one prepared me for how much longer the winter would feel with a toddler, either. So I'm living in denial of the mountains of grey, dirty snow by making unapologetically springlike work in the studio. I've been playing with some new imagery including new flowers, strawberries and butterflies. Here is a series of canisters that are in process. Picture one is leatherhard work drying with stitching designs impressed. Picture two shows the canisters after they've been underglazed and bisque fired. They still have to be glazed and fired again. I'll post the finished product sometime next week.  I have been making lots of new work and it's really nice to be able to do some new stuff without the pressure of immediate show deadlines. 

If you're looking for a fun evening out, tonight is First Thursday in the Northrup King Building. Studios throughout the building will be open from 5-9pm. I have a ton of new work on display, including some valentine inspired work that would make the perfect gift for your sweetheart. 

Hope you'll stop by--I'm in studio #394!

Green Love Treasury

I've been included in this sweet etsy treasury celebrating the color green. I am so sick of the Minnesota winter and ready for spring. This is a nice taste of spring, it almost makes me forget we have months of bitter weather yet to go. Sorry so few posts lately but I've been consumed by house hunting and thinking about getting our packed to the gills house ready to sell. Plus, trying to make a few nice pots. In the vein of house cleaning and spring cleaning, I've been posting some older clearance pots on my etsy page to move them on to new homes and will be adding more soon. Plus, some new work and Valentine's inspired items too!

Nonpareil blog article

Thanks to Nonpareil for blogging about my work on their site highlighting indie style. They feature different artists making amazingly cool work and it's an honor to be included. Be sure to check out the article and also take a look at the work of the other artists in their blog archive.