Tablespace at The Fosdick Nelson Gallery at Alfred University.

The show Tablespace just opened at The Fosdick Nelson Gallery at Alfred. This show presents a cross section of ceramic work from current studio artists addressing the subject of function and the site of table or other  situations. Participating Artists: Andy Brayman, Paul Eshelmann, Tomoo Hamada, Sarah Jaeger, Ole Jensen, Paul Katula, Sandy Simon, Sonngard Marcks, Lisa Orr, Mark Pharis, Robert Sutherland, Sam Uhlick, Takeshi Yasuda and myself.

Here is the writing that accompanies my piece.

The place settings presented in Tablespace are the result of my desire to present a unique collection of dishes without the framework of a specific meal. Visually I was interested in using dishes to compose a picture and emotionally I was interested in having these dishes talk about intimacy and conversation.
I have always been fascinated with Wunderkammers, or Cabinets of Curiosities. I love thinking about the psychology of curating and how individual aesthetics are honed. On the one hand I see my collections of pots as three dimensional snapshots, similar to a still life, but they are dishes placed within a tablescape. They suggest nourishment and sustenance, and due to the intimate setting for two also imply familiarity and conversation.
The “conversations” I have staged are layered. First there is the literal conversation that materializes during the dining ritual between friends and family. Then there is the abstract conversation between the individual elements in the setting and the overall pieces as a whole. And lastly there is the visual pun or marker of the green “thought bubble” placemat referencing a graphic conversational convention.
Finally, recent events in my own life (starting a family, maintaining a studio practice, negotiating and satisfying needs, and treading in the water of life); have made me cherish the once plentiful times with my love. Although these moments rarely take place around the dinner table anymore, I see the table as a metaphor for the emotional space of these cherished occasions, and memories as a beacon of what to strive for as life moves along.

Hello friends,

Sun anyone? It has been raining in Maine for a week and a half now….. can you say dreary?

A couple of bright spots have been the weekend I spent at Haystack teaching at the Student Craft Institute, which invites one student from each high school in Maine to experience the trans-formative experience of making at the school. The other was the feature that I received on American Crafts blog Heck yes, Craft.  Heck Yes Craft is a series of visual blog posts that are posted every Friday on American Crafts website.

In the studio I am working on a summer feature with Joe Pintz at the Blue Heron Gallery this July. I am also beginning to work on Contemporary Ceramics 2011, a show at The Fosdick Nelson Gallery at Alfred. This show will present a cross section of ceramic work from current studio artists addressing the subject of function and the site of table or other  situations. Participating Artists: Andy Brayman, Paul Eshelmann, Tomoo Hamada, Sarah Jaeger, Ole Jensen, Paul Katula, Sandy Simon, Sonngard Marcks, Lisa Orr, Mark Pharis, Robert Sutherland, Sam Uhlick, Takeshi Yasuda and myself.

Dont forget the Woman Working with Clay Symposium which takes place at Hollins University in Roanoke Virginia on June 13- 16, 2011. An amazing group of woman will be presenting (Andrea Gill, Donna Polseno, Silvie Granatelli, Mary Barringer and Jerilyn Virden just to name a few). This symposium examines women who work with clay to create pottery, art vessels, and sculpture. The long history of women in cultures all over the world as vessel makers, artists and artisans will be explored. Please join us, a good time will be had by all.

And, well that’s it for now.

Later gaters.

UPCOMING

Hello Cats and Kittens,

Quick post.

I just finished loading a bisque with work that I am taking to the Dallas Pottery Invitational which is (AHHHHH…..) right around the corner. It takes place April 8th- 10th at the Janette Kennedy Gallery. It looks to be a great time with some stellar potters showing off their wares. (Andy Brayman, Autumn Cipala, Monica Ripley and Deb Schwartzkopf, Amy Halko, Daphne Roehr Hatcher, Gary Hatcher, Brenda Lichman, Lisa Orr and Louise Rosenfield)

And another exciting adventure is the Woman Working with Clay Symposium which will take place at Hollins University in Roanoke Virginia on June 13- 16, 2011. An amazing group of woman will be presenting (Andrea Gill, Donna Polseno, Silvie Granatelli, Mary Barringer and Jerilyn Virden just to name a few). This symposium examines women who work with clay to create pottery, art vessels, and sculpture. The long history of women in cultures all over the world as vessel makers, artists and artisans will be explored. Please join us, a good time will be had by all.

Thats it for now.

Kari

Recent

Thanks to all of you that came out to watch my demonstrations at this years NCECA conference in Philadelphia. Since Philly I have been preparing for three different mini workshops: Surface to Surface, Decal-o-mania, and Mosaic Madness. These are offered at Maine College of Art and designed to get both your hands and feet wet.

The studio has seen a flurry of making and preparing for a five person show  (Margaret Bohls, Frank Martin, Maren Kloppman, Jeff Oestreich and myself) at Harvey/ Meadows Gallery in Aspen, Colorado. (opening June 12th) I am also in a nice group show, “Studio Ceramics” at The Signature Shop and Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia.

And I am looking forward to fall where I will be teaching a Ceramics course at  Southern Maine Community College and a September workshop “Sift, Sort and Select” at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.

This summer you can find my work at the Blue Heron Gallery on Deer Isle, The Clay Studio in Philly and at Trax Gallery for an upcoming show called SIP, opening July 10th. And as always, at my online store.

More soon,
Kari

NCECA

Howdy Cats and Kittens.
Wow, it is already that time of year again…. NCECA is right around the corner. Cant wait to spend the week in Philly. Ian and I lived their for a very short year back in 2004-5- we LOVED it!!  I will be a demonstrator at this years conference along with Judy Fox, Matt Metz, and Richard Shaw. You can find Richard Shaw and I demoing from 8:30-11:30 am in Hall C both Thursday and Friday. I will be in exhibitions with The Clay Studio and Santa Fe Clay and you can find my pots at both the Art Stream and The Clay Studio’s retail Gallery. If you have extra time before the conference and want to fill up on dirt, check out the pre-conference at Montgomery County Community College “Making through Living- Living through Making”.

Thats it for now, See you in Philly.

Maine College of Art Holiday Sale

Its that time of year again… the annual MECA holiday sale is here. Affordable gifts, crafts and fine arts by MECA students, alumni, faculty and staff and 11 Department showcases. Come see Ian, Ruby and I on the second floor. I will be peddling my wares along with Ian’s Neutrino Designs. Remember the MECA sale is not at the East End Community School but has returned to Maine College of Art. You can find this inspiring event at the Porteous building, 522 Congress Street in Portland.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday, December 4

Sale: 5pm to 10pm

Student Film Screenings in Osher Hall—5pm–8pm (Kid Friendly)
Live Music—8pm–10pm: Lady Lamb the Beekeeper
Raffle Drawing—9pm
Demonstrations
Library Book Sale
Guided Studio Tours

Saturday, December 5

Sale: 10am to 8pm

Live Jazz Music—10am–1pm: Billy Carroll
Kids Art Making Station/Cookie Decorating (Parents Shop while Kids Play)—10am–12pm, 2–5pm
Library Book Sale
Guided Studio Tours

Fall Greetings.

I cant tell whether it is cooling off or warming up here in Maine. One minute it is a biting 20 degree day and the next it is 60 and  flip flopping. No matter the weather the holidays are eminent and I just unloaded a bunch of pots… mugs, cup and saucers, condiment dishes, pasta plates, coffee and sugar jars…the list goes on. Some of these are headed to The Clay Studio in Philadelphia and the others are being posted to my etsy store over the next few days. Drop me an email if you are looking for something in particular, otherwise check-in often and see if something strikes your fancy.

FYI, I will be demonstrating at this years NCECA conference in Philly and will have work with the Artstream during that time. You can also find me teaching this summer at Anderson Ranch and next fall (2010) at Arrowmont. (check my teaching link for more information)

Take good care.
I will be in touch.

Kari

SUMMER READING

Summer greetings to all. It has been a very exciting month with lots of goings on. I just returned from a two week residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, Maine where I spent two weeks with a group of great artists and friends and the most spectacular food. After poking our heads out of the rain we ended up with the best weather of the summer….. finally!

I have two articles out right now. One in the summer issue of Ceramics Monthly.  Katey Schulz wrote a really wonderful piece called The Sweetness of Discovery.  Included is a Monthly Method called Applique, Fondant and Stickers- oh my! I talk about both the conceptual and technical process of working with applique and list recipes for my clay body, slip and glaze.

The other is in the current issue of Studio Potter . The entire issue focuses on ‘Change’. There is some good writing by Bobby Silverman, Gail Kendall, Sequoia Miller, Ayumi Horie, and Alleghany Meadows. My piece focuses on the road between my old and new work. While briefly touching on the wholesale market, building community relationships, and selling locally.

Get your copies while you can.

Ill be in touch.

Kari

As some of you may know Ian and I had a baby ….Ms. Ruby May born May 12th.  So the studio time is well…shall we say limited to about 2-3 hours a day. During this time I am glazing up some of the inventory that I produced this winter. I am hoping to have work to Blue Heron Gallery (on Deer Isle. in Maine) within the next few weeks.

Speaking of change, I wrote an article for the next issue of Studio Potter which is due to come out at the beginning of July. The entire issue focuses on ‘Change’. I speak in depth about the change that my work has gone through over the past few years.

Also check out my article in the summer issue of Ceramics Monthly.  Katey Schulz wrote a really wonderful piece called The Sweetness of Discovery.  Included is a Monthly Method called Applique, Fondant and Stickers- oh my! I talk about both the conceptual and technical process of working with applique and list recipes for my clay body, slip and glaze.

Over the next few months you can find my work at the following shows…YUNOMI at Akar, La Mesa with Santa Fe Clay at NCECA, Blooming at Lil Street Art Center, and at the American Pottery Festival Preview at Northern Clay Center. And as always you can visit my etsy store which has been updated with all inventory.

That’s it for now, I’ll keep you posted.

Kari

2009 has been quiet and cold. I am endulging myself in a lengthy and mostly uninterrupted making streak in the studio…I feel very lucky to have this time.  I leave on Monday to go to Bowling Green State University to be a Visiting Artist in the Ceramics Department. Looking forward to meeting the students and seeing my good friend Joe Pintz.

Gotta go turn on the heat in the studio….
More soon.

Kari