Wow - summer is over and today I teach my first class at the Kansas City Art Institute. It’s a busy time, this “back to school” business, but I just had to post a few photos from my amazing stay at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, CO. Doug Casebeer, Program Director of Ceramics at the Ranch, invited me and some fabulous folks to teach for two weeks at the beginning of August. If you have never visited the Ranch, I INSIST that you make it a priority for next year! 
Since my first stay way back in 1994 I have met many incredible artists there, but never before was I witness to the spectacle that was the Martin/Babu/Parady reunion! 
I was lucky enough to be a part of this session - and I won’t leak any of the juicier secrets of our party’s party! 
Suffice to say, a lot of work was made, even more food was eaten/drinks imbibed, and I think we counted 14 kilns that fired off. 
Oh, and there was hot-tubbing. Yeah - every sore-backed potter’s dream!
During my stay, Doug Casebeer put up a fabulous show of his sculptural work at the Harvey/Meadows Gallery in Aspen Highlands. Here’s Doug with my long-time friend and fellow potter, Bradley Walters.
Owned by my favorite clay-pals, Sam and Alleghany, HM Gallery was chock full of treats for us to touch. Here’s a group shot of the gang: Scott, Alleghany, me, Sam, Victor and Andrew.
Sam and Ghany even let us visit their “behind the scenes” rooms where all the buried treasures lay! Alleghany’s newest treasured creation was also on-hand…
August 28, 2007
Anderson Ranch Workshop with Scott Parady, Andrew Martin & Victor Babu
August 3, 2007
In the Neighborhood, KCMO
What do you do on a steamy hot day in Kansas City? Go to the air-conditioned Nelson-Atkins Museum, of course! My friend and fellow clay artist, Leslie Baker, was in town on her way to her new teaching post at IU, Indianapolis, and the two of us spent half a day traipsing through the amazing collection at the newly expanded museum. One of my very favorite pieces was this Etruscan pitcher. 
These earthenware plates were show stoppers - check out the narratives! 
An art historian friend of Leslie’s had informed her that the Nelson was a “four-day museum” - spoken like a true expert! We did the abbreviated tour, but I will surely be back for more soon. It’s only about a block away from the Art Institute - very exciting. On the way home I was reminded of the many things that inspire me OUTSIDE of the museums - oh, the simple joys of chrome and metal! 
July 15, 2007
Things on Wheels
Kansas City Studio is Up and Running
I’ve been here in Kansas City for about five weeks now, and happily I am making pots again! Nothing all that new and fabulous, just some warm-up work to get me back in the groove.
Setting up a working clay studio takes some time and many trips to the hardware store – the tools of our trade are simple enough, but it always seems that I’m lacking that five–gallon bucket or secret stash of cobalt right when I need it! 
Other news: last night I experienced my first roller derby bout! NO, I didn’t compete, although I am definitely tempted to dust off my 1970’s era rollerskates, skate covers, and present-day fishnets…but I do have to think about sparing my fingers and wrists from injury (kinda need them for this career). The KC all-female Roller Derby League championship consisted of smash-ups between four local teams: The Black-Eye Susans, The Victory Vixens, The Dreadnaught Dorothys, and The Knock-Outs. My favorite derby-girl was Lunatic Fringe, although it was tough not to root for Snot Rocket, obviously the most skilled skater in the rink. Princess Slay-ya was my choice blocker to watch – her hip-checks and facial expressions were the most threatening! Go teams!
Otherwise, not much else to report here, oh, except for an amazing gig at the Record Bar. Rasputina, hailing from Brooklyn, NY, rocked my Wednesday night with their scorching-hot cellos and eerie distortion. An imaginative, costumed three-piece, Rasputina’s cover of Barracuda (yes, Heart) flashed me back to a one of my favorite San Franciso-based bands, the now defunct Deadweight…R.I.P. Deadweight!
Apologies to you all, and especially my friend Whitney (www.whitneysmithpottery.com) for not having my camera with me for these fantabulous KC events…check out Whitney’s blog to see what amazing things she’s up to in Japan!!
p.s. did I mention that I’ve been throwing standing up for the past two years now? My wheel is rigged in the most primitive way, but it works like a charm! I was free-standing until this new studio allowed me a wall to lean against. I highly recommend trying this set-up if your back is giving you trouble…it has saved me! 
June 20, 2007
Setting Up Shop
Made it to Kansas City, thanks to the help of my fabulous pottery-pal, Whitney Smith (www.whitneysmithpottery.com) across Nevada, Utah, Wyoming (see pic - soooo beautiful!)
Nebraska, and maybe even a sliver of Iowa…but it’s all a blur to me now! There’s a link to her blog from her website that tells the tale in better detail than I am prepared to write - so check it out. My studio is coming together and I’ve even popped out a few pots along the way, so stay tuned for pics - for now, though, I’ll just say I am excited to be here, waiting patiently for the school year to begin at KCAI.
May 21, 2007
Moving to Kansas City!
The rumors are true - I’m headed to KC to teach at the Kansas City Art Institute. California and I are in total shock…San Francisco has been good to me these past eight years. For seven years I co-owned Verdigris Clay Studio + Gallery with Mary Mar Keenan and Rae Dunn. Now that chapter has come to a close, and we potter gals are all moving on to new adventures. Mine will surely involve the Missouri River!
