New Works October 2013

This past weekend I took a workshop with Ramon Camarillo.  Ramon is an extremely talented potter with huge amounts of experience in Raku firing in addition to throwing large beautiful forms that are as light as a feather.   If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend a workshop with him.  Not only is he a wealth of knowledge, he is a great fun personality.   Ask him to play his ukelele in between firings - another talent of his.
The following images are works I fired in saggar firings.   The platter has appropriately been named The Phoenix  - as when I looked as this wonderful surprise after being fired for a mere 10 minutes - I saw the Phoenix rising from the ashes....

Recent Works July 2013

Summer Workshops 2013

This summer I have continued my teaching at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences.   The workshops have been filling up with delightful students and I have been thoroughly enjoying sharing the passion I have for clay.  As always, teaching others how to work with clay remains a rich and rewarding experience particularly when positive feedback such as below is shared.
 I enjoy teaching all ages however, I do confess that I love teaching teenage girls as having gone through the pains of maturity myself I understand and know how absolutely important it becomes to build self-confidence through accomplishment in the arts or sports etc.  Being able to enjoy and express ourselves creatively through the arts as opposed to seeking  outside approval for "how one looks or what clothes we wear", in my humble opinion, is the key to a successful and balanced life.   Teaching young women that they can feel accomplished and satisfied by developing passions of their own is a complete joy for me.

"Meeting Kerith and going to one of her workshops was the highlight of our vacation.  We attended a pottery making class using the potters wheel and loved it so much we asked her to provide us with extended private lessons.  She is a dynamic teacher with a grounded energy that makes everyone feel comfortable even when facing the trials and tribulations of "centering" a pot.  As an art teacher myself, I understand the emotional component of empowering others even when they might fail at something.  Centering a pot isn't easy or simple.  Kerith teaches in a breezy, easy way that makes you feel free and unafraid.

She combines teaching art and teaching life.  I highly recommend her for the middle school ages (I brought 3 thirteen year old girls) and they were motivated and engaged the entire time.  They even took ownership of clean-up at Kerith's direction!

For a positive life experience, that goes well beyond making pottery, I highly recommend Kerith's workshop.  Her teaching style is unparalleled.  I can't wait until she opens her own studio so we can come back for more!"

Irene Mitta, art teacher and visual artist 

Supporting the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences

The LBIF is off to great start this season!  This is the first summer following the devastating affects of Hurricane Sandy.  The community on the island have rallied and supported one another and as the current saying goes in NJ, we are "Stronger than the Storm".   

On several occasions I volunteered for the LBIF of Arts & Sciences to "throw pots" at a few community events - Founders Day & the LBI Thank you Festival which was a huge celebration with food vendors, arts & crafts and over 25 talented bands - all to say "thank you" to the rescue workers of Long Beach Island for doing a great job through Hurricane Sandy and the following weeks. They were both great days and we had many children and parents stop over to try their hand at "throwing a pot" or to handbuild a pinch pot or coffee mug.   Hopefully we made some new friends and will see their faces at the foundation this summer.  

"Earth" Displays Nature's Beauty

My mother is a wonderful and talented gardener.  She has toiled countless hours in her garden and from a very young age, she fostered in in me a love of nature and animals.   My own history with clay and making things out of "earth" began over 15 years ago.  I have been spinning & hand-building vases of varying shapes and sizes since I learned to "center".
The images below were a nod to my mother and all she has done for me.  I thought it was a perfect collaboration of our efforts - her beautifully grown flowers displayed in my handmade vessels - my humble attempt to showcase Mother Nature and it's glory.

Great Workshop

Teaching and sharing my love of working with clay continues to be a magical experience.   I recently taught a workshop and felt blessed to have a truly nice group of students participate.   They jumped right in with eager spirit and created some fun and creative pieces.   I am happy for their accomplishments and feel blessed to have the opportunity to inspire others.   Here are a few of the happy faces and some of the work created.

Endangered Species Series

A continuation ... the pieces are designed void of glaze; to keep them "naked"  - in a more natural state.    Multiple types of clay & colored slips, carvings and oxide washes create the finish.   My hope is to have the viewer pause for a moment to consider Endangered Species and the protection they deserve.

New Works

Scarlet Joy

New works...

Naked Clay

"As clothes are to the human body so are glazes to pots. That clay vessels made by primitive peoples were not glazed suggests a parallel to their own familiarity with nudity. With our multiplicity of clothing we have become sophisticated and ashamed of our bodies, and, in a manner no less apposite have completely covered our pots with glazes"
Bernard Leach, A Potter’s Book

Animal Series

Here are a few pieces in the works.  They are part of my ongoing series of Endangered Species.   My hope is to highlight these beautiful animals for greater protection and awareness - displayed are the Rhino, the Brown Pelican & the Polar Bear.

Spring Workshops 2013

Spring is just around the corner - although it doesn't quite feel like it today- before we know it flower buds will be bursting forth from earth and waking from winter's deep slumber.   Until then, I will be readying with exciting plans for my upcoming workshops at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences.  www.lbif.org
I have mentioned this wonderful place before and I will again...because it is a magical place.   Now more than ever, the Art Foundation and the LBI Community at large, need your support.   We are slowly recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy and the more friendly faces we see, the faster the recovery will happen.   Enjoy life..Take a Class and LEARN something new.  My courses are featured on pages 13 & 17 of the Spring Catalog.  I hope to see you soon.  You can check out the catalog here....

http://www.lbifoundation.org/LBIFSpring2013.pdf