In 2014, resolve to make more art
Is it a coincidence that the word "heart" contains the word "art" embedded in it? Search the web and you'll find study after study affirming that making art is good for our bodies, minds, and spirits--not just for professional artists but for all of us.
After all, we're born artists. Think back to your childhood and remember how naturally and effortlessly creative you were. Remember the joy it gave you. We've been making art since our ancestors first drew pictures on the walls of their caves.
So, in 2014, while you concentrate on losing five pounds, exercising regularly, sticking to a budget, cleaning out your closets, or whatever other earnest and admirable goals you've set, resolve to nourish yourself by making art. Don't neglect the need to express yourself creatively. Find the voice that is uniquely you.
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There's still time to sign up!
Coffee and Clay Weekdays rescheduled
That pesky polar vortex put a crimp in everyone's plans, including the start of our Coffee and Clay Weekdays class. Because of the frigid weather, we've rescheduled the class to start on Wednesday, January 15, at 9:45 am. It will run until February 19. Register now.  |
Coming up: 3 Days of Clay
Michael Sherrill to be featured artist
 Potter Michael Sherrill will present the workshop at the Jackson Pottery and Clay Guild's 3 Days of Clay, March 7-9, 2014, at the Ella Sharp Museum.
Sherrill will demonstrate how he extrudes forms, which he then alters and manipulates to form sculptural vessels. Sherrill regards the extruder as a "work station" that has "widened my view of what I can do with clay."
The program also includes a vendor showcase, the highly popular book and tools sales room, a "make and take" session, a tool demo room, and a "meet and greet" mug exchange. For complete details, check out the 3 Days of Clay brochure.
You can register on line for 3 Days of Clay and save $15 if you sign up before January 30.
Want to know more? For a report on 3 Days of Clay in 2013, see our May, 2013, news letter.
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Potter's quick tip
Oops, I did it again!
Q. I trimmed straight through my pot, that is. What can I to improve my trimming skills and avoid this problem? A. Take a look at this helpful video from Ceramic Arts Daily, in which potter Ben Cross demonstrates the techniques and tools he uses for precisely trimming his pots.
Readers, if you have a pottery question for Kay, ask away. And if you want to revisit a past tip, you'll find earlier issues in our studio news letter archive on the News and Events page of Yourist Studio Gallery web site. |
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Potters to know
Adelaide Robineau and the 1000-hour vase
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The exquisite vase at left is the work of American ceramic artist Adelaide Alsop Robineau (1865-1929). Although Robineau named her vase "Apotheosis of the Toiler," it is better known simply as "The Scarab Vase." Robineau made the vase in 1910, while she was at the People's University in St. Louis, Missouri. It took her over 1000 hours to carve the intricate designs on her 16-5/8 x 6 inch vase. Robineau's work nearly came to naught, however, because the vase developed several small cracks during firing. Famed ceramic artist Taxile Doat, Robineau's teacher, advised her to abandon the vase and start over again, but Robineau rejected his advice. Find out what Robineau did to rescue her vase and learn more about her work and life here. See a gallery of Robineau's pieces on Pinterest.
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Seen on the Web
The secrets of Chinese porcelain
When translucent, colorfully decorated Chinese porcelain pottery first arrived in Europe in the 14th century, it caused a sensation. Most of this porcelain came from Jingdezhen, the "Porcelain Capital" of China, where potters have been making porcelain ware for 1700 years. Imperial workshops at Jingdezhen supplied the emperors of China with their porcelain ware. According to Wikipedia, the highly prized Jingdezhen porcelain was known for being "as thin as paper, as white as jade, as bright as a mirror, and as sound as a bell." "Porcelain for Emperors" shows the process of creating Jingdezhen porcelain pottery, from the mining of China stone and kaolin, the main ingredients in Chinese porcelain clay, to throwing, decorating, firing, and even inspecting the pieces. Interestingly, Chinese potters had no way to measure the temperature in their wood-fired kilns; they learned how to judge the temperature by the color of the flames, as they changed from red to bluish-white. A lot of great information is packed into this short video from the Freer and Sackler Galleries of The Smithsonian.
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Studio calendar
First Sunday VideoSunday, February 2, 2014, at 4:00 pm.
Val Cushing: A Life of Clay. Eminent ceramic artist Val Cushing, professor emeritus at Alfred University, talks about his life and the development of his ceramic work. Cushing also demonstrates how he makes casseroles and his signature roll top vessels. The video concludes with a slide presentation of Cushing's work over the years. Free and open to the public.
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January tool time
The upcoming tool time with Kay, on Sunday,
January 19, at 4:30 pm, will cover everything you always wanted to know about using faceting tools effectively to add texture and interest to the surface of your wheel-thrown pottery.
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Cone ^10 Firing
The next gas kiln firing is set for Friday, February 7, with loading of the kiln on Thursday, February 6. To volunteer to help with the firing, call Kay at 734-662-4914. You're sure to win the favor of the kiln gods.
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Winter schedule
Classes starting soon. Register here.
Beginning/Cont. Wheel Throwing
Jan 19-Feb 23
Sundays, 1:00 -3:00 pm. Instructor: Shannon Nelson
Jan 20-Feb 24
Mondays, 7:00-9:00 pm. Instructor: Kevan O. Wilson
Jan 23-Feb 27
Thursdays, 12:30-2:30 pm. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley
Thursdays, 7:00-9:00 pm. Instructor: Inge Merlin
Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Jan 14-Mar 18
Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 pm. Instructor: Sarah Gelsanliter
Advanced Wheel
Jan 15-Apr 16
Wednesdays, 6:30-9:00 pm. Instructor: Sarah Gelsanliter
Coffee & Clay
Jan 15-Feb 19
Wednesdays, 9:45 to 11:45 am. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley Jan 11-Feb 15Saturdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley Kids Clay ClassJan 20-Feb 17Mondays, 4:30-5:30 pm. Instructor: YSG Team
Sneak preview
Beads, Buttons, and Pendants
Mar 30-May 4 Sundays, 11:00 am-
1: 00 pm. Instructor: Jeanine Center
Visit our class schedule to sign up.
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Yourist Studio Gallery
Inspiring classes and workshops for new and experienced students
Bright, modern, fully equipped community studio workspace Comprehensive selection of pottery tools for sale Gallery exhibiting the works of celebrated artists
1133 Broadway Ann Arbor, MI 734.662.4914
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