How’s that trash can?

February 7th, 2010

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.

YRA 2010

January 1st, 2010

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!

Studio move in progress

December 4th, 2009

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…

Latest work

August 5th, 2009

A few of the latest pieces from the kiln!

Turquoise bowls

Turquoise cereal/soup bowls.

"Grape Koolaid" bowl

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

Grape koolaid

Inside view of the grape bowl

Blue & White nesting bowls

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

More from the kiln

July 15th, 2009
Turquoise yarn jar

Turquoise yarn jar

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.

Agate yarn jar

Agate yarn jar

Rose/chrome green bowls

Rose/chrome green bowls

Rose/chrome green bowls

Rose/chrome green bowls

Black glazed set - detail from crumpled newspaper

Black glazed set - detail from crumpled newspaper

Detail from black glazed set - glazed wiped off in places to show clay underneath

Detail from black glazed set - glazed wiped off in places to show clay underneath

A new addition to YRA

June 28th, 2009

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!

New page available

May 18th, 2009

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

Latest successes

May 18th, 2009

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.

 

Yarn jar - Agate clay

Yarn jar - Agate clay

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

Agate clay bowl

 

Still alive!

May 2nd, 2009

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!

The world of Oil

April 11th, 2009

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.