Art in a Box Great Trans - American Art Campaign

Hello everyone, I just wanted to tell y'all about Art in a Box's new campaign to have subscribers from all 50 states. If you or someone you know reside in one of the states without subscribers(see map below) you should really consider signing up or giving a subscription to someone. It's really inexpensive and fun and you could receive some of my art in one of the boxes.

Here are to two latest pieces that I dropped off. They consist of one large-ish head and one small head.

Here is the map of the states that have subscribers:
This is what they have to say about the map above:
"Check out the current Art in a Box Great Trans-American Art Campaign Stats!
Join us on the campaign to send Bay Area art to every state in the good ol’ USA. We are constantly updating our map…Green shaded states currently have subscribers to Art in a Box. Check back on our progress. Is your state representing? We need love from NEVADA, WYOMING, and more! Come on, let’s do this! Did we mention that every NEW subscriber in a state that is not colored green will get a special surprise in his/her box? Help spread art throughout the USA! Subscribe Today!"

Here is the link to Art in a Box.

or

skip right to their subscription page here.

A couple of pictures from the show

So these are just some preliminary pictures from the gallery. Look for some higher quality shots on my website soon. There are still two Saturdays in the month to go and see the show if you haven't already. You can find the details in an earlier post.

More Art Show Preparation - Porcelain Cars

I just got these pieces out of the kiln. They are just black underglaze on porcelain. I am about to start a couple larger pieces which will take forever and I only have a couple of weeks. You do the math. These were pretty simple, here is the process:

Here is the unglazed porcelain car.

First I brush black underglaze into all of the cracks. I like to use Leslie Ceramic Supply's U-24 Basic Black. They also make U-9 Black which is a cool blueish black. The U-24 is a warm brownish black and it tends to flux (get shiny) less than the U-9 which is also a bonus in this case.

All the cracks, crevices etc filled with black underglaze.

Next I take a sponge and wipe off the excess underglaze leaving nice crisp lines.

Now for the laborious part, the background. I have collected lots of images to use which I organize and paste in a scrapbook. This page is all from an old french encyclopedia that had some great images. Landscapes tend to be pretty forgiving since people can't really tell whether you copied the image faithfully so I don't really worry that much about it. It still takes a bit of time even on so small an area. I also shaded the car somewhat at this stage.

And here is the result after firing.

I will post more pictures in the coming weeks. Check out the website for the gallery here: http://roscoeceramicgallery.com/

See my last post for the time and other particulars.

Fresh out of the kiln: A new glaze painting

Black underglaze on porcelain

(click on image for larger view)

This one turned out great. It's pretty darn small, only 3 1/4 by 4 1/4", but very detailed.

It's for this show that I have coming up in August. Here is the card:

It's a new gallery that Derik Van Beers just opened up. The back half is his studio and the front half is the gallery. It is very neat and tidy and looks great.
Here are the details:
Roscoe Ceramic Gallery
473 25th St., Suite D
Oakland, California
Gallery Hours Saturdays 11 am - 5 pm
415-515-3174

I also just got out these completed sculptures of dams. They were really smaller studies for large pieces but they came out really nice.

New Flat Ceramic Work

So I've been focussing on flat work recently for Art in a Box.
These are a couple of pieces from the last two months:


This is the one I just dropped off:


(Click on the images to see them large.)

Another Dam Sculpture Completed!

Similar to the last dam sculpture however there are a couple of differences. Most notably I did not include the car and there is water below as well as above the dam. Overall I think that the perspective is perhaps slightly improved.
Anyhow that's what I've been working on.

Another Disappearing Bikini

I apologize for the sideways orientation.

Video for your further amazement!

I apologize for the poor quality of the video, however I think you will enjoy this. Stand dumbfounded as you behold the magic disappearing bikini.

Eureka! It works!

So something I've had in the works for some time now is finally done(though not perfected yet). I have been interested in creating a heat sensitive ceramic vessel where clothing disappears when hot liquid is introduced. Recently Karl McDade was kind enough to invite me to be in a Gravy Boat Show at Diablo Valley College which gave me the perfect opportunity to test out my new concept. This is the gravy boat that I made:




Just add hot liquid and....





Unfortunately this is as transparent as it gets for now. Still rather novel if you ask me. However I intend to find a more transparent base that would give a true clear as opposed to this yellowish color. So stay tuned.
For more information on the gravy boat show visit Diablo Valley College's website here. The show runs 11/1 - 11/23 and I believe there is a closing party. The work will be sold silent auction style with a buy it now option. Also I believe you can "buy it now" over the internet if you are so inclined here(not up yet, check back).

Just a quick post to alert y'all that I'm going to drop off some new heads at the Professor Squirrel Shop located within the Compound Gallery. And actually Friday night their having an event within the shop. Here are the details:

"Two Events! Stowaway Card Game Launch Party and more!
Friday October 8th, at 8-10pm
Sunday, October 17th, 3-5pm

Come Get Some Booty! Pirate Party to show off Stowaway, a pirate card game by local game maker, Jonathan Curley
and to show off nautical art by local artist, Kerri Johnson
Learn to play Stowaway! Compete in a tournament! Prizes! Professor Squirrel is carrying Stowaway Card Game!

Pirate outfits highly encouraged! Prizes!
Art and decks of cards for enjoyment and purchasing.
Pirate Snacks and Libations
Arrrrrrr, mateys!"

Location:
Professor Squirrel & The Compound Gallery
1167 65th st
Oakland, CA

Normal Hours:
The Gallery is open: Thursday-Sunday 12-6

Here is another small glazed ceramic head that will be available:



And here is a small ceramic hand holding a pistol also available at the shop:
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Thanks!

Ceramic Dam #5

(click on images to see larger)

So I just sold this piece. It's something I have been thinking about and working on for a while now so it's pretty gratifying to have some positive feedback. Here is a small version I made when I was working out the perspective:



Here is the piece in it's greenware state:



And here she is all done:



Here's a shot from above showing the perspective:



I plan on making more like this. Stay tuned......

New Ceramic Heads for Professor Squirrel Shop

So if you haven't already heard the fantastic Compound Gallery has moved to a new and improved location. (Address and Hours-1167 65th st., Oakland, CA 94608. Hours: Thursday-Sunday 12-6.) It's only about a block away from the old one. Here is a brief description from their website:
"The COMPOUND Studios & Gallery is an artist run space that was established in 2008. In 2010, The Compound Gallery & Studios moved to a new location in Oakland, CA. The new building allows for a fuller realization of what The Compound is…an art institution without the institution…an art school, without the school. Located in the Golden Gate Gallery district of North Oakland, the new building boasts nearly 8,000 square feet and was chosen because of its location, amazing natural light, and architectural grandeur."
Needless to say it's pretty sweet. Matt and Lena have done an amazing job yet again.
Within the building just off the main gallery is their retail space- Professor Squirrel Shop. Run by the Professor as well as assistants Kerri Lee Johnson and Lena Verderano Reynoso. It looks incredible and their taste is exquisite. This is where you will find my heads. Stop by sometime....

New Work for the New Year

New Ceramic Landscape with a dam:

Here it is in stereo-

Here is a picture of a dam I made last year:

Cup Swap tomorrow

I'm going to the cup swap at the CCAc Ceramics Dept. tomorrow evening and I made some sweet little cups for it. Just thought I'd share them with y'all.




I made them as pinch pots and flattened them square. Then I drew the men with White and Black underglaze on 2 sides of each cup. Finally I used a clear glaze on the inside.




So I'm bringing the little one, just so you know.

East Bay Express: I'm on the cover. Awesome.

So, I've gotten a few emails in the last couple of days about reviews for "This Long Road." There are a couple of nice blog reviews as well as an online article that just came out in the East Bay Express. Anyhow today I just found out they used my 'Asbestos Suit' piece on the cover of the actual issue of the East Bay Express. Crazy. Anyhow you should pick up a copy if you can. Here is a picture of the cover:



All you have to do is remove this sticker for "Star Wars in Concert":


And this is the picture revealed:


If you're not in the bay area you can read the review here.