Busy little bee...

Not quite as little a bee as I used to be , but I'm still busier than most bees these days. I needed a down day without a lot of pressure or physical activity to decompress after my shows so I took yesterday and worked on getting the pottery side of my personality set up on Facebook and Twitter. I have new accounts (Janet McGregor Dunn Hummingbird on Facebook, HHPotteryStudio on Twitter). I now have them all feeding (I hope) to each other in a way that allows this blog to feed to Twitter which then feeds to Facebook.

I just checked Facebook and I'm up to 85 friends already (thank you very much)! I'm on the hunt for good arts friends, plus friends from home and family who support the arts (or me!).

This blog is a test to see how it's all working... I've connected everything before on my political sites and my business sites, but it's been a while. I had to go searching through old memories to find the names of aps. One of my personalities is a computer geek. My multiple personalities also have multiple personalities.

Need to run out to the studio soon to check for damage. Had some nasty stuff running through the area last night, saw on one of my twitter accounts that areas of Georgia had storm damage. Doesn't look bad out the window, but we're in a heavily wooded area so there's a good chance we have limbs down. My studio sits in a little "hollow" surrounded by trees.

Art friends...

My brain is still on the "art" node today. I was just thinking about the ladies who shared their art along side me yesterday at the Hollingsworth House. There was some amazing art in the building!

Susan Norton www.thepaintedthread.com. I met Susan recently at an event at Beyond the Door in Senoia (a very cool place). I saw one of her wall hangings and started drooling. She had another there also that I almost grabbed, but had to sell some of mine first to be able to justify. I had to invite her to join me for my annual show! When I saw all of her work displayed yesterday I was truly in awe. Talent, an eye for color, great composition, and, and, and... there's some of her work on the website I posted, but not enough to give you an idea of how talented this beautiful lady is! She's someone I hope to get to know a lot better and expect to find that we'll become great friends.

Gail Jensen, www.studiogg.com. Helena Marette (I'll tell you about her in a minute) came to my house for a small get-together and, special and giving person that she is, brought me a gift of these very useful and lovely glass dip markers (you have to go to Gail's website to see what I'm talking about). After that sort-of introduction, I saw one of her guitars at the Dogwood Gallery in Tyrone. Loved it. So, when Helena suggested that she join us for the show, I had to say yes. She didn't get to bring a lot as she'd been on vacation. While I didn't get to see much of her work, I did get a chance to get to spend a little, little time with her (we were all non-stop last night, not much of a chance to visit). I can't wait to see the ornament she's making for me and to get to know her a bit better!

Helena Marette. Sad to say, I don't know if Helena has a website and the two of us have been friends for quite some time! I'm going to hafta ask the question. Helena and I are art friends and political friends. She is a lovely soul, someone anyone would be proud to call friend. I love her work. Yesterday she brought some of her jewelry and it walked out the door... actually, it was worn out the door! She is an extremely talented person with a big heart, and is someone I value as a friend and fellow artist.

Fiona Dennis, artist. Unfortunately Fiona was ill, but she did manage to bring her fantabulous paintings to the show. I "met" Fiona initially through a mutual friend. When I popped over to her website and looked at her paintings I fell in love with her vibrant colors and subject choices. She has contributed two chairs to the annual Chair-ity Event here in Fayette County which benefits The Children's Village at Christian City. Beautiful chairs, my favorite being the Mermaid Chair she put together this year! I'll try to share some of her work with you at some point.

Donna Rosser, www.thebarefootphotographer.com Donna and I have been friends for quite some time. She brought a few of her note cards and her cookbook to display but had a conflict that night so she wasn't able to participate fully. I would love to have had some of her photos to display! She is an award-winning photographer and a good friend. I'd write more, but I'm beginning to fizzle out, still in wind-down-from-non-stop-prep-and show-itis .

So much talent in one house yesterday! I do so appreciate having such talented friends and very much loved having them share their art yesterday.

I'd also like to give a BIG thank you to Belinda Fitch, owner of the Hollingsworth House and MC Events (catering). I have been so impressed with her big heart, giving so much to help the kids at Christian City (and I'm sure many other charitable groups!). She walks the walk.

In recovery...

We've already established that I'm a wimp (if you read my previous post). These past few days have proven that I truly am a wimp!

While I had a wonderful time these past few days, I could live without the sun-up to sun-down set up, break down, packing, unpacking, clean up, whine, whine, whine . I need a Samantha nose that I can tweak and wiggle just enough to move all my work from home and studio to shelves, then back again. Better yet, from home and studio to new owner's homes... with payment, of course!

I am very happy with sales over the past few days. More importantly, I'm very happy with those who fell in love with a piece or two or three of my work and just had to take it home! I discovered a very long time ago that I love to create and I love to be appreciated. Money is what supports my habit, praise is what feeds my soul (along with the creation of a piece, I think I'd shrivel up and blow away if I couldn't do something artistically creative).

I enjoy making the making of each piece so much I sometimes think it might not bother me all that much to just have a huge, huge warehouse with tons of shelves to display the end products. Then I do a show or have someone stop over to buy a creation of mine and I realize just how much I enjoy having others see and appreciate my art.

I have a good friend who now owns maybe 5 or so pieces of mine. Whenever she stops by to see my work I drop everything and just follow her around to hear her comments, to "see" through her eyes. She makes ME appreciate the finished pieces!

Back to my whining and wimping... the end result was well worth the effort, so I can't really wimp and whine too much. I had so much fun with my fellow artists at our open house and reception yesterday! Plus, I made some new friends in recent days through the Saturday show and our show yesterday. No matter how tired I might be today (a whole lot extra goes into doing your own show when you're in charge of putting the entire thing together), I would do it all again tomorrow.

I laid in bed last night working on a way to have another event before Christmas, thinking about our Spring show, reviewing the past few days to find ways to make it go better, churning through ideas on how to display my work here at home so all those who've asked to see it before Christmas can do it without it being a big production, etc., etc., etc.

If it's not raining tomorrow I'm going to unpack the boxes left from the weekend and take photos of each piece as I do. My friend Donna Rosser, The Barefoot Photographer, put together a mock-up of a photo portfolio for me a few months back. I plan to get my tush in gear and capitalize on her idea... so many plans, so little time.

So much for recovery, I guess I'm happily addicted.

Call me a wimp but...

...there's frost on the ground, it's coooollllldddd outside and I need to start a kiln load. I really do. But I don't want to go outside and cross the frozen tundra (ha ha) to get to my studio. I'm sitting here with my first cup of hot tea for the day, next to the little "extra" heater that I keep in my office (which is a converted sunroom, thus a bit chillier than the rest of the house). I have my socks on, my sweater wrapped around me, and I keep looking outside the windows toward the studio and I know, I know, I know I have to go out there... brrrrrr....

It's 24 degrees outside right now. Double brrrrr....

I have a show tomorrow at the Hollingsworth House in Fayetteville, Georgia. If I start that kiln load before 10 today then it should be ready in time to open tomorrow afternoon. Should being the operative word. If it's not, I'll have a nice load of Christmas gifts for my family, plus some stuff for sale later.

But I gotta get my butt out there to the studio.

Will I, won't I, will I, won't I???? How important are those pieces waiting to be fired? No guarantees they'll turn out anyway... and if they do, no guarantees they'll sell... But then again, they probably will turn out fine (they better as much time, glaze and kiln energy it takes!). And then again, if one sells then it could be the piece that makes it all worthwhile tomorrow night... Course, even if I fire the kiln up before ten, it might not be cooled down enough to open by tomorrow afternoon anyway... but with the cold temperatures it will cool faster than usual so...

Oh darn, this is taking up too much brain power this early in the morning. I think I'll go fix another cup of hot tea and mull it over a bit more.

Sand art...

This has nothing in the world to do with my pottery... a friend sent this to me and it was so amazing I had to share. I intended just to pop over & look at it quickly to see what it was all about, but couldn't stop watching. Then, to make it even worse (time-wise), I saw another off to the side on YouTube and had to watch it, too.

The following was included in the email I rec'd from my friend:

This video shows the winner of "Ukraine’s Got Talent", Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion during World War II. Her talent, which admittedly is a strange one, is mesmeric to watch.

The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the audience to tears and she won the top prize of about £75,000.

She begins by creating a scene showing a couple sitting holding hands on a bench under a starry sky, but then warplanes appear and the happy scene is obliterated.

It is replaced by a woman’s face crying, but then a baby arrives and the woman smiles again. Once again war returns and Miss Simonova throws the sand into chaos from which a young woman’s face appears.

She quickly becomes an old widow, her face wrinkled and sad, before the image turns into a monument to an Unknown Soldier.

This outdoor scene becomes framed by a window as if the viewer is looking out on the monument from within a house.

In the final scene, a mother and child appear inside and a man standing outside, with his hands pressed against the glass, saying goodbye.

The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine, resulted in one in four of the population being killed with eight to 11 million deaths out of a population of 42 million.

Kseniya Simonova says:
"I find it difficult enough to create art using paper and pencils or paintbrushes, but using sand and fingers is beyond me. The art, especially when the war is used as the subject matter, even brings some audience members to tears. And there’s surely no bigger compliment."

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Here's the second one I watched, "Don't Be Late":

You're invited... Pottery Plus and St. Andrews Arts & Crafts Fair

I have been working my tush off, my fingers to the bone and whatever other over-used phrase that depicts non-stop "work", trying to finish up some new work for two shows next weekend.

I decided to do a lot of white clay Christmas pieces. Christmas tree decorations, platters, bowls and other things that I think will make nice gifts. I'm trying for a variety of sizes and price-points. A lot of the pieces are new for me as I typically like to be rather free-flying with my clay. I made some more "traditional" pieces (along with some not-so-traditional).

I also made some smaller items such as business card holders, soap dishes, etc. in my very favorite red clay. I have a batch in the kiln as I type... can't wait to see how they turn out.

I'm now firing my pieces multiple times as a rule to allow for more depth in the finished piece. I layer glazes, add colors, include textures and am incorporating more bright, vivid, underglazes.

Here are the two upcoming events I mentioned:

St. Andrews Arts & Crafts Fair Dec. 5th

I'll be participating in the St. Andrews Arts & Crafts Fair on Dec. 5th, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Peachtree City. This is a juried / invitation only event and I can guarantee it will be jam-packed with quality art! 316 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City, GA.

Pottery Plus Dec. 7th

This is my annual Christmas pottery show with a few additions. I invited some friends to join me this year! Helena Marette will be showcasing some of her jewelry, Susan Norton will share her fabric art, Fiona Dennis will fill the walls with her fabulous paintings and Gail Jensen will have some of her glass pieces on display. Of course, everything is for sale!

We'll have an open house from 11 - 2 (drop in, have a cookie, see the art, buy the art)

The main Reception will be from 6 - 9 p.m.

Hollingsworth House
Fayetteville, Georgia (Hwy 54 next to Stonewall Village / Fayette County Government Complex)

Visit my website for more info... www.Hummingbird-Hollow.com

Chair-ity Event to Benefit The Children's Village at Christian City

One of my favorite charities or causes or place or whatever... is Christian City in Union City, Georgia. I've been working for the past few months on one of their annual fund raisers, The Chair-ity Event. We ask artists of note to paint chairs which are auctioned off at the event.

This is our third year, the second with chairs. MC Events and the Hollingsworth House donate the food and location at absolutely no cost which enables us to take every single penny raised and give it to the children.

I painted two chairs last year, this year I painted one and donated a piece of my pottery. Here's a slide show from the artist / media reception we held at Dogwood Gallery and Framer in Tyrone.

Southern Palettes

I had a few pieces of pottery at the Southern Palettes art auction recently. It was a fabulous event! I think some of the works are still available. If you'd like to find out more let me know and I'll get your in touch with David Boyd Jr, OR you can do a search for The Heritage School in Newnan, Georgia. David is the art instructor for the school. You'll see some of his fantastic work in the slide show below (the "before" the auction shots, I'll add the "after" later). You can find his work at the Dogwood Gallery and Framer in Tyrone, Georgia (and many other galleries)... you'll find some of my work there, too.

Draw + Decal at MudFire Gallery

MudFire Gallery's exhibition Draw+Decal presents the work of thirteen contemporary clay artists known for their use of imagery and narrative on vessel forms. In doing so, the exhibit and sale takes a detailed look at updated studio techniques for creating illustrated ceramic surfaces. Featured artists include Patty Bilbro, Naomi Cleary, Bruce Gholson, Erik Haagensen, Samantha Henneke, Ruchika Madan, Brooke Noble, Stefan Ritter, Elizabeth Robinson, Justin Rothshank, Luba Sharapan, Sue Tirrell, and Betsy Williams.

Draw+Decal will be on view at MudFire Gallery July 11 - August 1, 2009. The opening night reception will be held from 5-9pm on Saturday, July 11, 2009. All works displayed will be available for purchase.

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

It is impossible to grace the surface of clay without acknowledging thousands of years of history. Many of the techniques and materials in use today were developed millennia ago, but those leading the field are combining new technologies with fresh viewpoints on design and illustration. In the contemporary studio pottery movement, it is no longer enough to simply master form and apply the age-old transformational alchemy of glaze and firing. A new visual language is developing on the surface of today's vessels.

American studio pottery finds itself at a moment both awkward and illuminating. We stand gratefully venerating the pioneering masters of the post-war studio pottery movement, while also looking eagerly to the next generation and forward to where we are heading. Today's studio pottery takes advantage of new technology and contemporary design and illustration sensibilities that allow us to update ceramic surface and lay the groundwork for new traditions. Clay artists benefit not just from an instantly accessible global compendium of illustrative inspirations, but also from the ability to deploy an updated set of tools and technologies to realize their visions. Traditional techniques using pen and brush, the magic of silk-screening, or carving and resists, are joined by more recent innovations like vector art and one-off continuous tone ceramic decal printing. Never before has so great a catalog of commercial finishing materials and purified chemicals been available for mixing and innovating with. Studio pottery, so enabled, is taking on a frenzied, energetic exploration of where clay surface can now go.

Draw + Decal presents a snapshot of this moment, an educational survey of available techniques, and the opportunity for both collector and creator to engage fully in this exciting time in clay.
Images and additional information about each of the artists can be found at:http://www.mudfire.com/draw-and-decal.htm

ABOUT MUDFIRE CLAYWORKS AND GALLERY

MudFire Clayworks and Gallery is a unique community art center dedicated to clay arts. Celebrating its 7th anniversary this year, MudFire Clayworks is home to over 150 artists, and is equipped with pottery wheels, sculpting equipment, communal tools, glazes, kilns and plenty of inspiration. Artists in residence and "free range" instructors make it a perfect place for beginners as well as seasoned ceramicists. MudFire also brings high profile artists from around the world to Atlanta for lectures, slide presentations, demonstration workshops, and intensive hands-on classes.

MudFire Gallery is Atlanta's clay-only gallery, providing representation for some of the Southeast's top potters and sculptors. MudFire also celebrates this diverse and accessible medium with monthly exhibits of functional and decorative works including solo, group and themed exhibits.

The gallery is open Thursday - Monday from Noon to 8pm and by appointment. The studio is open Saturday & Sunday from Noon to 8pm, and on Monday-Thursday-Friday from Noon to 10pm.
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R.A.D. Studio Cruise 2009 February 7, 5pm - 10pm

From Mudfire:

Our BIG neighborhood arts celebration is coming up fast. Save the date and rally some friends to head to the Rail Arts District of Avondale/Decatur for an unforgettable night of art exhibitions, demonstrations, music, performances, refreshments, and art, art, art.

This year RAD is just in time for selecting a magnificent artwork for a Valentine's gift. Buy local, buy handmade, buy unique, and delight your honey (or yourself!) with your artful sweetness.
MudFire will host pottery making demonstrations by Marissa Hudson, and will present an exhibit and sale of new work by founders Luba Sharapan & Erik Haagensen. We've also got the shelves loaded up with killer work by Marissa and dozens of our favorite artists.

Get a RAD Map

Download our one page map with all the studio locations noted, directions to the neighborhood, and contact information for participating studios.
Print the RAD map and mark your calendars!

What Will You See?

RAD Studio Cruise includes over 50 artists displaying and selling their latest work. RAD includes pottery, sculpture, ceramic wall art, paintings, drawings, photography, furniture, blown glass, digital art, jewelry, mixed media, and metal.

Many of the studios will host demonstrations and studio tours, so you can see where and how the work is made. Watch lumps of clay spun into pottery on the wheel, hot glass blown and shaped by a tightly synchronized team, jewelry being meticulously crafted at the bench, and see a plasma torch cut thick sheets of steel creating sculpture components. Magicians and performers will entertain at the Academy Theatre, the host of the RAD artist market for even more local artists.

RAD is a celebration of creativity and community, and at each location we'll have music, food and drinks, and plenty to look at it!

Thank you for your support! We look forward to seeing you at RAD!
porcelain & stoneware pottery by Erik and Luba

MudFire Clayworks Location and Hours
175 Laredo Drive, Decatur, GA 30030
Studio Hours
Weekdays, Noon to 10:00 pm
Weekends, Noon to 8:00 pm
Closed on Wednesdays Only
Regular Gallery Hours
Open 12:00 to 8:00 pm
Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday
maps and directions
Please call us with questions at 404-377-8033.
Loads of information and images available at www.mudfire.com

Liz Zlot Summerfield Workshop

It's been a long summer with lots going on! One of my favorite treats this summer was a workshop, courtesy of my wonderful husband (birthday present), with Liz Zlot Summerfield at the MudFire Gallery in Dekalb County.

What a great instructor! She has the perfect balance of personality and teaching ability (plus a great artistic talent) to handle a widely-diverse group of students.

All backgrounds and all levels of knowledge converged the first weekend in August to learn what we could at the workshop. Here are two sets of photos from the workshop. The first shows Liz teaching and highlights how she makes some of her outstanding pottery. The second shows the students, some of Liz's completed works in the MudFire Gallery and photos of some of the student's work. - Janet McGregor Dunn

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Chair-ity Event

The Fayette Front Page has teamed up with the Hollingsworth House and others to bring a new "Chair-ity" event to Fayette County! The event will be held in early December and will benefit Christian City's new children's village. Artists around the area will paint or decorate chairs which will be displayed around the county, then auctioned off at the Hollingsworth House event. I'll be keeping you posted on this nifty new way to raise money for a great cause! I'll be doing a chair myself (check out my work at www.Hummingbird-Hollow.com... and yes, I know I need to update my site, but the Fayette Front Page and the Georgia Front Page are keeping me plenty busy!).

- Janet McGregor Dunn