All the pretty little things

Fall is creeping up on us here in Halifax, though I suspect we haven't seen the last of cruel summer humidity. With the cooling of the air comes my yearly September envy, I wish I was going back to school.
So this year I've given myself a schedule of deadlines. Applications and proposals to keep me busy and learning. One of my self appointed tasks is to learn how to photograph my own work. Small steps so far, but I think I'm getting somewhere.
If you've got any pointers, please let me know.

All in a days work

Sixes of sevens, and twenty to eight. Full days in the studio are double plus great!

Setting up

Packing moving and unpacking boxes has taken up most of this past month... But the work is nearly done and soon I'll be able to get down to the business of making. I hope fun new things are springing up for you out there in Internet land.

Reflection at the end of an era.

Today I made the last piece I will ever make at Turnstile pottery cooperative. It's nice to find that a positive experience. When the closure of this studio first came to light, I was not a fan of the idea. The more time I've had to mull it over though, it seems more and more like a blessing. Comfortable is not the same as happy, this is a lesson I've been trying to learn for a while now. Time marches ever forwards and so too must I.

Moving the many heavy fragile things will be no cakewalk, but I'm ready for this change now.

Process

Right in the thick of things, the middle. Where nothing is quite resolved, but you can almost see the finished product. I like this phase of artwork.

Today I was able to go and visit my mentor Steve Higgins at the MSVU art gallery where he is currently building/installing an exhibition of new work. It was an excellent experience to be in there partway through. The fullness of that space when it is done will be mind boggling.

I'm also closer than ever to nailing down a new studio space. Having visited and submitted my homework for a new multi artist space opening up within walking distance of my apartment. Yay! Fingers crossed that it works out.

Progress!

Today after work I planned on stopping into the studio to unload a kiln, half hour/ forty five minutes tops.

One thing led to another, there were sculptures ready to be assembled and reclaim to deal with. Somehow four hours skipped by. I guess that's how to tell if the magic is still in a project. That focused, time melting contentment where all of a sudden you realize how hungry you are.

These next few months are pretty art full, and I couldn't be happier. The show at the Ross creek centre is fast approaching, if all goes well kiln wise the work for that just needs to be fired up and delivered.

Now if only my brain would slow down enough to let me sleep we would be getting somewhere.

Till next time!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

Well my time in Houston is almost up. A shuttle and a few airplane rides before its all said and done. I don't really want to leave, but I'm excited to get this information home.

Good bye hostel, see you around sometime?

Vacation relaxation

I'm treating myself to a little sun before the galleries open today. Listening to the birds and trying to digest all of the visual information that's been presented this week. Halifax seems like forever ago, but I'm excited to go back and share what I've seen. On today's list a private collection, a contemporary craft museum and maybe the big museum of art if there is any space left in my brain.

Travel, I need to do this more often.

Sense of direction

Today, I got lost. It looked so simple on the map but somehow I missed a turn and ended up at the freeway. It was starting to rain but I pressed on.
Map reading is not one of my strong points... I found myself behind a power station and probably crossed the same creek four times. It can be nice though, taking the long way around. I didn't get to the gallery I was looking for, and by the end I was rather wet with rain, my brain appreciated the break from galleries though.

After some traditional tex-mex and a margarita I stumbled upon the Art League Houston and some very fine work.

Tomorrow I will try again for the elusive Mother Dog Studios, one more day packed full of ceramic delights before heading back to my regular life.

Sensory overload

Today I took in some lectures, viewed lots of of objects and performances, and took part in some serious crowds. I could have done more, but I think my brain would have exploded.

Once I get back to my computer I'll upload you some images, I've taken hundreds today. I'm overwhelmed with the information. Some of the studios where delightful, huge repurposed warehouses, so good.

Walking through crowds of hundreds viewing ceramic works by dozens of artists... Woah. This is something to be experienced for sure.

Tomorrow is the last day of the conference. Then a day of touring, then home and up to my eyeballs in that. Keep on rolling.

Texas, you crazy!

Houston Texas is a place where everyone seems either incredibly nice and polite or a stone cold killer. I've been warned numerous times about "security concerns" but honestly I wonder how much of it is fear mongering? There are certainly plenty of police, security officers, and armed Americans around.

Really I have no place talking about this, as a tourist. It is strange though to be warned against walking around in broad daylight, or taking the bus. As someone with a tiny amount of travelling under my belt, I'd have to say Houston is not in the top 5 or even top 10 places I've felt in danger.

Perhaps it's a bit like Halifax in that if you keep your nose clean and out of the drug & gang scene there is no sense worrying.

The early bird gets... the worm?

One of my volunteer tasks this week is setting up registration. That's fine, getting up before 5 am to get here in time... well that's another story for a night owl like me.

The birds of Houston don't even seem to be up yet, it was rather quiet on the walk in. Since today is the first full day of talks I'll be running around all day. Oh well, sleep as they say, is for the week.

Pre-Conference

Spent a while setting up today, folks are starting to trickle in.

This is getting real. Looks like there will be thousands here tomorrow and the next day. Lots to see and learn and plenty of folks to meet. For now I'm going to enjoy some of the great weather and public art of Houston.

Hello Houston!

So I made it! Three flights, two mechanical delays, one missed connection, my first flight in first class, and more than enough turbulence.

So far Houston seems to have everything, lots of public art, dead shopping malls, trees with hair nets, housing compounds surrounded in razor wire, spiralling parks, etc.
Tomorrow will be rather exciting, seeing the conference centre, helping with registration and setup. Getting a handle on all the fun things to see in the exhibition and resource halls. NCECA yeah!

But for now, I am in desperate need of some food, till next time.

Bags are Packed

I'm ready to go, I may have finally learned my lesson about packing light. The whole thing weighs about the same as a sack of potatoes, most likely still too much.

I've got the blogger app now, so fingers crossed I can report from the conference itself!

TTFN

Onwards!

This is a time of shifting tides.  Things that have seemed constant are falling away and new opportunities are rising up where before, there was nothing.

The dissolution of Turnstile Pottery Cooperative, a 12 year old self-described "lily pad" studio, designed to help people transition into starting their own businesses has left me scrambling for work space. There are a few options on the table, and two new exciting ones turned up just in the last few days.  I'm sad that Turnstile is closing, we were able to offer services to the community that will be much more challenging without that space and volunteer support.  Perhaps it was a victim of its own success. 

As much as I feel pushed from the nest, the excitement for a new group of peers with fresh inspirations and opinions is strong. Getting comfortable is pleasant, but shaking things up is a better way to stay creative and on your toes.

NCECA is on the horizon, and that will lead to new contacts, ideas and possibilities for the future. So here is to an exciting adventure into new terrain.    

Appreciate lunacy

How is it that things always get bunched up in waves? Not that I can complain, the opportunities are much appreciated. The timing is just a little... short I guess.  To-Do lists and schedules are pilling up and the 24 hour limit on days is dreadfully stubborn.  The search for studio space, show applications/preparations, travel dates, day job and volunteer commitments only grow in urgency.  But really I am incredibly fortunate for all of this, so thank you world.

Thank you for all the crazy, beautiful, chaotic and wonderful experiences, let me keep a smile on my face and ever appreciate your wild ways.   

Stirings of spring

A struggle against dormancy.  This is the time of year when everything is restless for the bright sun and clear sky of the warmer months, or at least out here in Nova Scotia.

I'm getting things lined up, acceptance into a show at the Ross Creek gallery, a trip out to the NCECA ceramics conference in Houston, Texas, a show with the VANS Mentorship.  All good things, and I'd like to keep a record of the process, while pointing out some exciting things going on in the art world, ceramics and maybe even just here in little old Halifax.

So allow me to introduce myself, I'm a twenty-something artist working in ceramic sculpture and mixed media paintings.  I've learned lots from all manner of people along the way and am still thirsty for knowledge. I live and work in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.