Wed, Jul 6th, 2016 I am celebrating my 21st year as a full-time ceramic artist. When I first decided to make a go of it - I honestly never thought I'd get this far. It's not that I didn't think I would 'make it' - I just couldn't imagine how it would look.
As we all know, success does not happen in a vacuum. Success occurs because people believe in and support us. This story is about Ginny, one of my first 'collectors' back in New York, where I had my original studio, over 20 years ago. As the saying goes... 'It takes a village....' and Ginny is part of my village.
Ginny lives in Saratoga Springs; she first purchased saggar fired vessels from me. She attended open houses, met me at regional art shows and has stayed on my mailing list for a very long time. About a year ago, Ginny reached out (we are now Facebook friends) said she has been watching my wall work and wants one of my pieces for her home. What a delight!
I got in touch to say I'll be going to NY this summer for a string of art shows and suggested I create a piece 'just for her'. Then I can deliver and install when I'm back there and complete the full circle. She thought it was a great idea...and now her art piece is 'on the table'.
Ginny likes the feel of Red Sun Rising but needs a different size and colors. We began, as always, with drawings. Once the drawing was complete, the creating began. 3 days on the table and the sketch is in the clay, the details are clarified and from the background, to foreground the wall art mural is underway.
Once dry the tiles headed into the bisque kiln. Then onto the glazing table where the ceramic stains take on hues that will be transformed in the kiln. A 10-hour firing with a 24-hour cooling period and the results are in.
Details show brilliant blues for the water, softer blues for the sky with highlights of tan, ochre, and chocolate for the landscape and hills. Next is framing - and then it goes on the wall! I head north in late June and so shall this art piece, where I'll deliver and install it in Ginny's home in early July.
The installation is complete and Ginny was speechless! Rising Sun II looks beautiful in her living room. Soon a new couch and accent run will tie the whole room together.
Thank you Ginny... for being a part of my Village... and for your love of my work!
Would you like to be a part of my 'village'? Contact Me to discuss art for your home!
