Yellow Room Arts

The “trash can challenge” is coming along nicely – it’s about 3/4 full right now. I’ve been brutal about which pieces to keep and which to toss in that trash can. I throw a bag of clay (usually 12-13 pieces or more, depending on size), let them dry, trim and finish, then pick the best 2 or 3 to keep. Sometimes I’ll keep a “non-racer” because I like the rim or the shape.

Yesterday I made some candle plates/holders, playing around with my mini-extruder (looks like a metal syringe with a flat end to put the dies in) and bits of torn clay for decorations. I like clean, smooth forms, so actually putting something on the pot to break that smoothness is a little disconcerting for me. We’ll see where it goes, though.

2009 was a chaotic kind of year, with many personal and professional changes. We are looking forward to 2010, and the challenges it will bring. Dennis continues to experiment with his art (there is a lot of cardboard around our house right now!) and Keba has a mission to fill up a 32 gallon trashcan as she experiments with clay (I’m hoping the can is filled by March at the latest).

May you and yours have a creative 2010!

Yellow Room Arts is in the process of moving to a new location, with a bigger studio area!  When the dust settles, I will add some pictures of the new home.  Stay tuned…

A few of the latest pieces from the kiln!

Turquoise cereal/soup bowls.

“Grape koolaid” bowl – this is actually a thinned down purple glaze that I applied with a syringe (no needle!).   Overglazed with clear glaze.

Inside view of the grape bowl

Set of 3 nesting bowls.  The blue was sponged over the white clay, then sealed with a transparent glaze.

I’m catching up on my photos, so here is a sampling of what has been coming out of the kiln recently.  I’m experimenting with bigger yarn jars (working on one for those huge Red Heart skeins!) as well.

Yellow Room Arts is happy to announce that we are now doing “Clay Dates”!  “Clay Dates” are 1-2 sessions where participants can either glaze a piece that has already been made, or create their own pieces that will be fired, then glazed in a second session.  Great for couples, families, or small groups.
Please click on the “Pottery Lessons” page for more details!

Please check out the “Upcoming Shows” page – this will be updated as show confirmations come in.

The quarter is starting to wind down (only 3 weeks, then finals week), so I’m able to spend some more quality time in the studio. Here are some of the most recent “agate clay” pieces to come out of the kiln.

 

[caption id="attachment_40" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Agate clay plate"][/caption]

 

Just wanted to post that Yellow Room Arts is still alive and kicking. With 5 classes to teach, 6 student teachers, and a painting class, it’s been a bit hectic around here. This coming week looks a little clearer, so I’m hoping to get a few kiln loads fired and some new pictures here and on Etsy.

Stay tuned!

Today was our first painting day – a monochromatic still life.

Observation #1:  Paint is NOT glaze.  Red and yellow make orange now.

Observation #2:  Oil paint does not dry fast.  This means continuing to fuss over a section will result in muddy paint.  This is bad!

Observation #3:  Odorless mineral spirits still have an odor!

It should be a very interesting next 9 classes.