Spring activities!

The studio has been tugging on my mind lately.  As a creator of objects, I have been seeing a new direction to explore but need to cleanse the studio of clutter to continue.  I want to return to making more intricate objects like teapots and spice holder sets (salt and pepper sets).  So, I have been busy organizing and cleaning the studio along with all the other daily things that fill my life such as teaching and filling orders, visiting with Bruce and taking care of our property and traveling when I can.

I teach at a retirement community,  watercolors and ceramics.  The dear residents enjoy our weekly visits and activities.  The senior population have such amazing stories to tell.  I also teach privately out of my studio one evening a week to a group of amazing individuals who come and go throughout the year and love having access to the clay.    Then there is the steady filling of wholesale orders from American Crafts and Jewels.  I have waited 30 years for this gig.  And of course the few consignment shops I work with.  Thank you Val and Chris for your amazing dedication to Gestures and Liz at Ginko Gallery.  Ginko Gallery in Oberlin has been a steady consignment outlet for many artists work over the years.

With spring here, there are many additional activities to fit into a daily schedule.  Bruce and I have been starting seeds for our garden, getting the garden ready for planting, trimming trees, mowing the grass and keeping the ant population under control.

And, the traveling.  Last weekend I drove to Minnesota to finally attend the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour.  That is one long drive from the Cleveland, Ohio area.   Seven host potters invited forty three potters for a total of fifty potters selling their wares.  What an amazing place to converse about clay and see pots, kilns, studios and life steeped in clay.  Thank you Minnesota potters for all your hard work.  You put on an amazing show.

Looking forward to filling up the kilns with new work.
Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

Cylinder Clay Seals

http://82nd-and-fifth.metmuseum.org/sealed
This is a link to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  The link will take you to a video showing cylinder clay seals from 4th Millennium BC Mesopotamia.  A good watch if you love clay!
Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

Fountains of Youth - Small Porcelain Sculptures

Porcelain "Fountains of Youth" by Theresa Yondo
Small enough to hold in your hand

These are some of the New Work's I had on view at the Woman VI 2013 Show at Lakeland Community College.  To my surprise two of the three objects sold.  Usually collectors need to warm up to new ideas that I am working with.  I must say that I did feel as though these small sculptures which can be held in the palm of your hand encompassed a complete aesthetic idea.  I will see if I can transfer this idea to a larger scale at some point.

New Wax Resist Pattern

 

I love designing new patterns of wax resist.
Creating symmetrical pattern which radiates out from the center of a bowl has always grounded my inner spirit.  I just get lost in the moment and time seems to stand still when I develop a pattern that works for me in this tiny world of the universe where I live.

I often forget how difficult it is to work with wax resist but was reminded earlier this week when talking to a very accomplished ceramic artist who was having some difficulty with the technique so I decided to share a few tips.

First, I would suggest using Axner Wax Resist.  I find this resist to be the best on the market.  I use a less expensive wax directly on the clay body for waxing the foot.
Second, after waxing the foot I dip the bowl in a bucket of glaze to apply the first layer of glaze.  I may dip two or three bowls at a time and then wait only a few minutes before handling them again in preparation for the application of wax resist.  This is very important to only work with a few objects at each time as you need moisture present in the first layer of glaze so the wax does not peel off the surface. 

 I gently use a soft ebony pencil to sketch out the pattern I will be working with since once the wax is applied there is no turning back unless you wash everything off and start over.  Using a bamboo brush, I apply the wax. 

Next and this is really important!  Leave your work to sit for several hours before applying the second layer of glaze to allow the wax to dry thoroughly.  I would say anywhere between
4-8 hours.  You can wait until the next day by laying a light plastic covering over the work which will keep some moisture in the first layer of glaze.

Do not let the wax dry out too much on your brush.  Wash your brush with some soap and water every once in a while and make sure your wax does not dry out while you are working.  Just add a drop or two of water every now and then.

Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

from WOMAN VI 2013 and a few other things

Greetings!

March is winding down but there are still some amazing art shows to see like the
from WOMAN VI... Celebrate Women's History Month.. Created by women, of women and about women.
March 3 - 29, 2013
Artist Reception: Sunday, March 24, 2013, 3-5 PM.
Women of Achievement Awards: Sunday, March 24, 2 PM at
Lakeland Community College 7700 Clocktower Drive Kirtland, Ohio 44094
I WILL HAVE AN INSTALATION OF SMALL SCULPTURAL PORCELAIN ORGANIC SHAPES ON VIEW.  THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER AMAZING ARTISTS PARTICIPATING AS WELL AS A TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF MARILYN SZALAY.  Please join us if you can.

 Also, I will be a guest artist at Bay Arts in Bay Village on (Thursday) March 21 and 28 from 7-9 and on (Saturday) March 23 and 30 from 1-3.  Afterwards Moira Beale will return to teach the remaining sessions.  If you are interested you can sign up for the whole session at http://www.bayarts.net/ or 440-871-6543.  The Thursday night class is for advanced students only.

 And, my Wednesday night clay class is filling up nicely these days.  And, thanks to all of you who have been forwarding my emails it helps bring in new students.  You are the best and you know who you are!!!  The next 6 week session will begin April 10^th (at my studio in Novelty). 

April 1^st – May 22^nd (no class May 8^th) / The class is a 2.5 hour class.
FLEXABLE ½ HOUR ADDITIONAL TIME BUILT IN FOR THE 2.5 HOUR CLASS so student can come early or later depending on schedule.
So, the studio is open from 6-9 AT YONDO STUDIO ON WEDNESDAYS (please do not come before 6:00 as I may not be home yet).
13796 Chillicothe Rd. (State Route 306)
Novelty (Russell Township) in Geauga County
Ohio of course! theresayondo@gmail.com

Fiddlehead Gallery in the Larchmere neighborhood, Cleveland Ohio

Susan Rozman
Fiddlehead Gallery
13002 Larchmere Blvd
Cleveland, OH 44120
216-231-9400

Yesterday, I delivered some of the black and white functional porcelain clay work I make to Fiddlehead Gallery.  So you can now find mugs, bowls, vases and a few other works at this culturally rich gallery/boutique.  The proprietor of Fiddlehead, Susan Rozman has brought her years of working at the Cleveland Natural History Museum and her belief in fair trade with her to this Gallery.  So, you will find culturally rich objects from around the world to stimulate your senses.  Please stop by the gallery and support the cause.

Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

 

MARCH FORTH

One of the best parts about teaching is the personal stories that students tell a teacher.  Studio art classes tend to be very interactive between teacher and students and many stories are shared.  One student, named Linda, created the holiday March Forth on March 4^th.  With the end of winter near and daylight still short, I found this thought to be a brilliant light for these early days of March.  So, keep putting one foot in front of the other, meditate on loving kindness and MARCH FORTH.

Concept to Creation,

Theresa Yondo