(#4) 5/10/10
Clayton Bailey – Demon Dogs
This potter is very unique. He doesn’t do any throwing on the wheel. He is more of a cartoonist with his pieces. The Demon Dogs, for instance are a very bizarre looking creature that Bailey has made out of clay. One very unique technique is that he used “Tobacco spit glaze” to glaze these characters in order to get a brown shade to make them look like little hyenas. The teeth on these creatures make them look intimidating and fierce.
Seeing the style of Clayton Bailey is another eye opening experience, that just proves how many avenues are being pursued through ceramics. I learn that ceramics has unlimited possibilities and that I should never get bored, because there are endless things to try.
(#3) 4/26/10
JoAnne Arnone – Ligonier, PA
http://www.carriagehousepottery.com/
Using stoneware and porcelain clays, Arnone’s pottery is made on the wheel “one piece at a time”. All her recent work is altered in a variety of ways such as: carved, decorated with multiple layers of glaze, and high fired in a kiln that she designed.
“I strive to make pottery that is elegant and fanciful, as much a joy to display as to use.” – Arnone
JoAnne Arnone has a very similar style and outlook as I do. She primarily throws on the wheel as do I and she tries to create a unique style that looks good in display as well as when it is being used. I also make plates and bowls because they look great when they are actually put to use when serving food etc.
Looking at her pieces and her unique style, it allows me to come up with new ideas for my new project of using under glaze on pots rather than just dipping them.
(#2) 3/16/10
Laurie Sharkus- Sculptures and Tiles (Michigan)
http://www.khnemustudio.com/artistlauriesharkus2.html
Laurie Sharkus tries to capture the wild spirits of the animals in clay. All of her work is hand sculpted out of stoneware clay. Sharkus uses no molds used for her sculptures, but she has created molds for tiles & masks. She does all the sculpting, firing, painting and finishing herself. Many of her subjects include Endangered Species. ” I want to convey the animal’s inseparable connection to its vital habitat.” She also enjoy sculpting whales and marine wildlife. She likes trying to capture their form.
Laurie has recreated many animals such as sea turtles, moose, bears, buffaloes, otters, elephants, giraffes, dolphins and many more. I can appreciate this style of ceramics, because it takes so much preciseness and detail, in order for it to be good. Sharkus encompasses all the skills that it takes to make so many different life-like sculptures.
(#1) 2/23/10
http://pmacraftshow.org/artists-ceramics/
Lois R. Aranow- loisaranow.com
Lois Aranow seemed interesting to me because of her perfection of form, function, color and relationship of all her pieces. Not only do her pieces look amazing, but they serve a purpose and are noticably relatable in style. Aranow said that, “my pride as a crafts person is to offer a high level of technical excellence.” You can definitely see the little precise details that she takes into account when creating each piece. I also read that the style of beady-ness she uses(called “reticulation”) is a result of careful glaze application and firing. I found that to be a unique style technique that set her apart from other artists. Lois embraces the free mind of what the kiln unexpectedly could do to her art. She is Largely influenced by Antonio Gaudi, Eva Zeisel, and Fiesta Ware which have influenced Lois’ work toward organic shapes, vivid color, and texture.
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Fall Semester 2009-2010
#4 – 1/5/10
NOHEA GALLERY- Island Art and Fine Crafts- Honolulu, HI
What interests me the most about art is how the forms and designs and styles change as you go from one country, state or culture to another. It truly amazes me how how art evolves and takes different shapes and meanings in different places. Although I am viewing the Hawaiian style of art through a website it is still interesting to me to see what little details make their art unique.
The art work and ceramics is different from any other place in the way that they make art based on their surroundings. The ceramic pieces are painted with designs of fish, water, flowers, trees, coconuts and other things all native and custom to Hawaii. You don’t find many artist in other places of the country that use the same style as artists from Hawaii.
My favorite piece was the “Honu” turtle dish, made by local artist Bob Hoenig. It looks like a sea turtle and its shell is where it can hold things, it can be used as a dish for anything or just decoration. The craftsmanship is really unique with great detail and colorful glazes.
This piece alone represents the unique style of art in Hawaii, and that is what amazes me the most.
http://www.noheagallery.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=19
#3 12/8/09
Keith Newhouse Gallery- October – N. 3rd street Philadelphia- Roger La Pelle Galleries
I was walking around in Philadelphia with my mom and we came across this interesting gallery. In the window we saw these statuesque forms of animals with just an animals horns as their head. They also had interesting designs all over the bodies. From the outside this immediately interested me and made want to explore.
When I went inside it was clear what the artists style was. A very gloomy, emo, and intense style that was very unique. Some pieces were little pictures on a collage with words, and other are just out of the ordinary paintings, with even more interesting names. Its hard for me to really explain these works of art but I knew it took a lot of time and thought. Some used depressing language and even explicit language, and others were very gory with blood and violence. Some of my favorite title of the art was “Beast with Babies”, “Sheep Head Angel”, and “Demon with Heart.” These names were so far-fetched that it made the work seem that much more interesting.
I was glad that I stumbled upon the gallery of Keith Newhouse. It wasn’t exactly my style of art, but it opened my eyes to another style that was very good. I learned a lot and it gave me ideas that I could incorporate into my work in my unique way.
#2 - “A retrospective exhibition of artwork” By: Marty Kreithen
10/18/2009
On Sunday I went to Philadelphia, to view the opening of my grandfather’s, Marty Kreithen’s, art gallery. It was part of the “Old City Jewish Arts Center, and a project of the Jewish Heritage Programs. My grandfather has been a serious art student for over 40 years. He has exhibited his art in many group shows. He specializes in abstract art. His art includes acrylics on canvas, wood, and works of art in collage.
I have painted with my grandfather since I was very young, but I never really understood the meaning or reasoning behind what he truly does. Now taking Honors Art I can appreciate his type of thinking and realize that there are no mistakes you can possibly make while painting.
He has recently been inspired by the recent passing of my cousin and his 24 year old grandson, Justin Ingerman. The main piece of the gallery was a large painting titled, “We Miss You.” At a first glance you wouldn’t know what to think when looking at it, but when the deeper meaning behind it represents much more. The heart in the middle represents Justin, and the silhouettes surrounding the heart are meant to represent my cousin’s closest friends. We know that his best friends truly knew who he really was.
It was amazing to see all the paintings that filled my grandparent’s house and many other places fill up an entire room. I haven’t painted with my grandfather in 5 years, but I plan to soon, and learn more about his techniques and ways of thinking.
#1 – Artisans Three
10/5/2009
It is always interesting to visit the local artisans store right on Bethlehem Pike. Every time I go there I find new inspirational ideas. When I go there I observe the different artists styles. Whether it is the glaze work or the pot itself, I try to figure out what makes each artist’s style unique. All the little details make me think about what I can do to expand what I know about ceramics.
One style of glazing I really was mesmerized by was this non-shiny spotted glaze that was on numerous plates. I wonder why the glaze makes these certain details on its own? Looking at these mind-blowing glaze designs makes me want to create my own glaze to see what I can come up with.
