Wow – I can even update my website from Greece…this technophobe has come quite a long way! But word on the streets is that the “4×4″ show has opened at Lillstreet, and I am excited to send you there for a browse. Check it out when you have a second – things are purchasable through their on-line shop! And don’t forget to see the other fabulous artists’ work in the show…my favorite is Jane Shellenbarger’s new work – WOWZA!!
June 27, 2009
June 16, 2009
On Our Way…
At 6:15am tomorrow I ship off to Greece! As you can imagine, I am bouncing off the walls with excitement today…and I’m not the only one taking a trip. This brand-new Etched Pyramidal Iron Teapot is on its way to Leslie Ferrin’s gorgeous gallery, along with a few other pieces I’ve been secretly slaving over in my studio! Ferrin Gallery is one of my very favorite venues, and I’ve always dreamed of showing there. Thanks to her special exhibition soon to showcase functional potters, Teapots: Interpretations, opening July 11, dreams can come true!
June 10, 2009
Pre-NCECA conference: belated post #1!
Hmm, somehow I let my pics from NCECA and pre-conference slip between the cracks of my Avalanche Desk (as i fondly refer to it)…so I’ve decided to throw a few up randomly over the next couple of days. Better late than never, right?
At Northern Arizona University I demonstrated across from Brad Schweiger (he can make his crazy big pots faster than I’d ever imagined possible), NEXT TO Eva Kwong (one of my clay heroines), and one wheel away from legendary Don Reitz. Also there to add to the intimidation were Karen Thuesen Massaro (whose intricately decorated pieces wowed me at the NCECA Clay National Biennial), and Russel Wrankle of potters as sculptors fame. We all had a blast working in the same room, set up like pairs of dueling piano players, and I think most pre-conference attendees would agree that Don Reitz ran circles around us all. Never mind the fact that he’s 86 now and a survivor of some serious heart surgery. Don was there working an hour before we were scheduled, and no one could tear him away easily for the dinner shuttle! I felt totally humbled by the whole event, but decided that this is why Don and the other Muddaubers rose to the top of our clay heap. They just keeping throwing mud around…go Don!
Don Reitz wows us all at NAU pre-conference, Flagstaff, AZ
June 1, 2009
One is Silver…
Ah, friends…like my morning latte mug, lets say. I can be quite loyal to one mug — using it unwaveringly every morning. Then, nine months later I might find another perfect latte mug, and innocently enough start alternating them…
This may have actually happened to yours truly. I had a gorgeous, creamy Louise Harter in everyday rotation for my two morning lattes. The perfect size, ideal for steaming my soy…I literally woke up and thought of my latte cup.
Then, at Art of the Pot in Austin, Texas, I found a Josh Copus stein-style mug — all handle and swooshy slip. It found its way into my carry-on bag, and then under the espresso steamer. A new contender for the title! I had to laugh when I put the two next to each other…
May 21, 2009
Texas Review
Got back on Monday from a fantastic two weeks touring Texas with the Artstream Nomadic Gallery. First stop was Austin, for Art of the Pot – a must check-out if you live anywhere near there…happens every Mother’s Day weekend. Those Austin potters sure know how to have a good time! It was my third time there for the event, and I’ve been promised a camping space in Ryan McKerley’s backyard so I can crash it next year! We found THREE airstream businesses had sprung up on Congress Ave since our last visit with the trailer…hmmm…
Lorna Meaden and I bought TONS of cool thrift store clothes, including the perfect gift for our favorite potter-girlfriend, Lana Wilson!
We also had a UFO sighting on the way to Dallas!
And we made lots of new friends – at Universtiy of North Texas…and beyond!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to our most memorable visit – we Artstream kids have decided that Texans are truly the most generous of hosts!! We’re coming back for more, fo sho!
May 1, 2009
ARTSTREAM does Austin, Dallas…and beyond
This tuesday I’m headed out on tour once again with my Artstream posse – here’s the press release from Austin potters’ “Art of the Pot” event, which kicks off our Texas roamings. We’ll also be stopping off at Louise Rosenfield’s home in Dallas to meet, greet, eat, and sell! More details can be found at www.art-stream.com and below the press release.
See you there! xo christa
Press Release
Art of the Pot 2009
6th Annual Invitational Utilitarian Ceramics Exhibition
At Westlake High School
_______________________________________________________
Utilitarian ceramics is a very intimate and accessible kind of art that has experienced tremendous creative development in recent decades. Amazing technical proficiency and artistry or what might be termed “visual poetry” have been achieved in functional objects such as platters and mugs. Gorgeous as sculptural gemstones, they handle like a dream. And yet this remains a unique form of art that one interacts with to the point of smearing with food, bringing to lips, and caressing in hands. It is the art asking to be utilized and most at home in daily life.
Contact: Lisa Orr 512.799.7133 lisa@lisaorr.com
Photographs: Image CD www.ArtofthePot.com
AUSTIN, TX
Art of the Pot 2009 is THE Austin invitational pottery show. This event is free of charge to attend and it is held Mother’s Day Weekend 2009, May 9th 10-6pm and May 10th 12-5pm.
The five local organizers are Lisa Orr, Claudia Reese, Ryan McKerley, Marian Haigh, and Chris Campbell. 16 internationally renowned local and guest artists will be showcased. These highly acclaimed ceramists are represented in numerous publications and collections throughout the country.
In the past, Art of the Pot was held at the founders’ five local studios. This year Dawn Delgado, ceramics instructor at Westlake High School, has asked Art of the Pot to join with the Westlake Pottery Festival creating one large, multifaceted, extraordinary clay event.
Work will be available for purchase at the show, and the ArtStream Nomadic Gallery, a 30-foot silver Airstream land yacht remodeled into an exhibition space, will be presenting its own show of leading hot new ceramists, www.art-stream.com. Free lectures, demonstrations and concurrent shows will be occurring at the Westlake location throughout the weekend.
Consult www.artofthepot.com for details regarding the Art of the Pot show, featured artists and concurrent events: http://eanes.tx.schoolwebpages.com/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=54
April 21, 2009
Seconds Sale at Fourth & Clay!!
This weekend is fourth & clay's annual SECONDS SALE! Yeah! Join us (Josie, rae & me)
and our brilliant Bay Area potter friends - Whitney Smith, Sharon Virtue and
Sara Paloma - for some fun in the sun and FABULOUS deals. We are putting out
some outrageous bargains (beautiful first quality work will also be available)
so come early and bring friends.
Hope to see you there,
Christa xo
Fourth & Clay Studios
2390 4th St. @ Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94710
tel. 510-848-2390
hours of sale: SATURDAY & SUNDAY, April 25 & 26, 10am-5pm
April 2, 2009
NCECA + pre-conference 2009
It’s that time again — time for the annual National Conference on the Education of the Ceramic Arts, this year to be held in Phoenix, AZ. I’ll be making the drive out with the trailer, ARTSTREAM Nomadic Gallery, along with artists Lorna Meaden, Steven Colby, and Angus Graham. Our first stop is the pre-conference, hosted by Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff. I’ll be doing two days of demonstrations there, along side the legendary Don Reitz, Eva Kwong, Brad Schweiger, Russel Wrankle, and Karen Thuesen Massaro. Cool! The ‘Stream will be loaded with pots, of course, as we make our way toward the conference center front door, where we will (hopefully) be set up for sales the duration of the conference. Keep your fingers crossed.
March 18, 2009
Urban Ore
On Saturday it was a lazy start after late night with the Eric McFadden Trio (at San Fran’s Boom Boom Room) and Hans and I decided to go looting around at Urban Ore (W. Berkeley, CA) for a globe. I wanted one and we were pretty sure they would have one…they have everything and the kitchen sink, afterall. Sho’ nuff, I found my globe, along with other inspiration for the day. Had to throw in a pic of some gorgeous flowers, too!
out back at Urban Ore, Berkeley, CA
oh yeah!
just an average day in Rockridge, CA
February 23, 2009
Inspiration at the Ivy Room + TONIGHT
Those of you that know me…know that I like to ROCK OUT. The only thing that can drag me out of my studio late nights is live music, particularly loud, ruckus-y, thumping drum and bass, or something edgy and experimental. The Bay Area is crawling with local rockers, but I am a choosy audience, and since I moved back from Kansas City last June I have been combing the papers and frequenting my nearby dive-bars to find a hidden jewel among the ROCKs. One diamond-in-the-rough duo calling themselves “Soft Teeth” caught my attention a month or so ago at Oakland’s Temescal Art Center. Anything but conventional, the guitarist had her teeth on the strings at one point, while the drummer yanked his crash-cymbal off the stand and scraped it on-end across the snare head…ouch. In a good way, I mean! If you like this sort of noise like I do, check out the above mentioned percussionist, Jacob Heule, with double bass wonder, Tony Dryer at www.myspace.com/jacobfelix. You can listen to what I heard February 9th at the Ivy Room (only a bike ride from my studio!) and catch a glimpse of what I saw that night below. Wish you were here – they are playing TONIGHT! Details below pic:
Heule/Dryer play the Ivy Room, Albany, CA
Monday 2/23
club sandwich presents…
Ghost to Falco
Inca Ore
Heule/Nishi/Brzytwa
The Third Victim of Abigail Rutledge
(Jacob Felix Heule, Kanoko Nishi, and MaryClare Brzytwa have all played together extensively, but never before in the same group!)
@ House of Nostromo
4 Fifth Ave, Oakland
http://www.myspace.com/thehousefonostromo
8pm, $5 donation requested
