Last Minute Market 2010

Check out the Last Minute Market in Lakewood Ohio this Saturday.  Cleveland Handmade Market has put this fabulous show together.  Be warned!  It is a big show with a lot of people.  Come prepared with list in hand.  I will be somewhere on the first floor.  Don't expect the atmosphere of an ACC Show.  This show is designed to keep the cost down and create an affordable selling space for people who want to make hand made and sell hand made in an affordable way.

"Cleveland Handmade Markets has invited friends I Made It! Market Pittsburgh and The Screw Factory Artists to help once again enable, and even encourage, holiday shopping procrastination with the third annual Last Minute Market.

The Last Minute Market will be a wonderfully unique shopping destination with more than 80 artists and craftspeople from Cleveland and friends from across the rust belt region. In addition, artists whose studios are in the building will open their doors to offer a peek at their workspace and an opportunity to purchase their work. Don’t miss this Market! Nearly every form of art and craft will be represented, even food!
December 18, 2010
Lake Erie Building at Templar Industrial Park
13000 Athens Ave.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission
9 a.m. -10 a.m. Special Early Bird Admission with a $5 donation to Hunger Network"

Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

More opportunities to get out and support hand made artistic endeavors December 2010

There are a few more events this month where you can shop local for some holiday's that are still to come.  These events are popping up everywhere these days. 

Thursday I will be at the CYC Club in Rocky River.  If you are a member or a family of a member, stop by for some holiday cheer.
Date of Event: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Event time: 6 pm sharp until 10 pm

Friday you can stop by Jewel Heart Cleveland in Tremont

Saturday I will be at Kathleen Calby's house in Cleveland Heights, along with Laura Kulber and Gale Astrup .

Saturday, December 11th from 11 am to 5 pm 

Singing Bowls Concert at 10:30 - 11 am

Coming up soon, THE LAST MINUTE MARKET DECEMBER 18TH. 
December 18, 2010
Lake Erie Building at Templar Industrial Park
13000 Athens Ave.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.

Tis the season!

Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

Gestures Open House and Terra Vista Open Studio

There are more events planned this week and weekend which feature hand made work by local artists which of course include my work.  Thanks to all of you in advance who turn out to buy local and support art and artists and local entrepreneurs.

"Gestures Open House and Customer Appreciation:

COME CELEBRATE OUR 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!
STOP BY TO SAY HI AND KICK OFF YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON WITH US
WHEN:
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1 5-9
THURSDAY DECEMBER 2 5-9  (I will be at Gestures during this time)
REFRESHMENTS, HOURLY DRAWINGS, AND GOOD FRIENDS
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS COMMUNITY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
& MAKE YOUR WISH LIST EARLY
ALSO CHECK OUT GESTURES FEATURED HOLIDAY PLATTERS FROM
MANY OF OUR ARTISTS!"
1150 Linda Street Rocky River, Ohio 44116.
440-665-3122.
Thank you Val and Chris, proprietors at Gestures!

http://www.gesturesshop.com/.

AND

TerraVista Studios is getting ready for the holiday gift-giving season with the much-anticipated 11th Annual Holiday Sale. Also included within the energetic and spirited space of TerraVista Studios during this 3-day holiday event will be one-of-a-kind gift creations designed and created by noted Northeastern Ohio silver and goldsmith jewelers, ceramic artists, fiber artists, woodcarvers, watercolorists and more. The names of well over a dozen guest artists can be found at
http://www.terravistastudios.com/

The TerraVista Studios Holiday Show & Sale
free and open to the public and located  at
1400 East 30th Street, Suite #401 in Cleveland
(between Superior and St. Clair, just off the I-90 Superior exit).
Hours are:
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, December 3rd,
noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 4th, and
noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 5th.
Parking is available in the front and side of the building (elevator access is also available)."
Thank you Megan, Lynne, Yumiko and Andrea for opening up your studio!

Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

Big Box Detox 2010

This Friday is going to be a bit of fun with the girls and the boy is bringing the cheesecakes, so come check out the Big Box Detox at Blush Boutique on Coventry.  I will have small ceramic work appropriate for a boutique setting and some new bottle cap earrings that are turning out to be very collectible.   
See you there,
Theresa

Big Box Detox at Blush Boutique

Friday, November 26th, 2010
9pm-12midnight
Blush Boutique
1783 Coventry Road
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44121

Blush Boutique has been the place to get the hippest, handmade and small-label fashion and accessories since it opened in the Coventry neighborhood last November. And, for one special evening, it will also be the place to get your hands on beautiful, one of a kind works of art and craft made by a curated handful of artists selected by Cleveland Handmade.
From 9pm to midnight you can meet the makers in an intimate environment with plenty of refreshments and conversation on hand. What better way to unwind from a day of fighting crowds and looking for a parking spot at the mall?
Work will include: etched metal art, functional ceramics, mixed metal jewelry, sterling and glass enamel jewelry, collage, and gourmet cheesecake.
Participating special guest artists: Christen Zielski of Copper Leaf Studios, Theresa Yondo, Lori Paximadis, Kathy Patton of Smashing, Rose Anne Jesenovec, and Real Man's Cheesecake.
Blush Boutique is a sophisticated boutique in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on the hip and eclectic Coventry Road. The boutique carries a wide range of women's fashion and jewelry, with an emphasis on independent and emerging designers.
Started in October 2007, Cleveland Handmade is a collective of local artists and craftspeople who sell their handmade wares online. Cleveland Handmade is committed to promoting, teaching, and helping its members, and the Cleveland area.
Cleveland Handmade members’ shops specialize in a wide range of fine and funky craft, including jewelry, clothing, handbags and other accessories, fiber arts, handmade glass, ceramics, paintings, prints, photography, home decor, soaps, candles, and repurposed vintage pieces.
For more information, or to schedule an interview or tour of Blush Boutique with its owners Gina Dudik and Laurie Klopper, please contact Kathy Patton at Kathy@ClevelandHandmade.com

Written by Kathy Patton.

Concept to Creation
Theresa Yondo

This Weekend * Charm The Heart 2010

Please stop by, we would love to see you!

CHARM THE HEART - One of a kind art gifts

Saturday, November 20th 1-8
Sunday, November 21st 12-4
3124 Corydon Rd
Cleveland Hts. Ohio
Enjoy Meeting and visiting with the artist while you are shopping for your special gift

CHARM THE HEART ARTISTS 2010
MaryAnn Posch/John Gulyas: silver jewelry
April Firstencel: quilts/handbags
Debbie First: author/photographer
Mark Yasenchack: ceramics
Vivian Vail: beaded jewelry
Catherine Butler: jewelry
Theresa Yondo: pottery
Debbie Vail: painting

Marianne Hite: glass

Barb Cross: knitwear
Debbie Apple-Presser: luminaries

Music and Art

This is too good not to share. 
Anyone who loved the music of Buena Vista Social Club needs to check out AfroCubism.  The original idea behind the Buena Vista Social Club was actually supposed to happen in Cuba and have an Afro Cuban flare but due to passport problems the project changed. 
This is the perfect example of not fighting obstacles and just keep on trying to get there, wherever there may be, as The Buena Vista Social Club was birthed and the Afro Cuban project was put on hold.  What a wonderful thing for all of us who just loved the Buena Vista Social Club music. So, after all these years the Afro Cuban project has happened.
For more information, check this out;
http://www.theworld.org/2010/11/03/afrocubism/
Now for the other art side of things, check out the new V & A building that is to be built in Dundee.
What a vision.
http://vandaatdundee.com/your-future/the-winner-is/

Concept to Creation
Theresa Yondo

New Work in Galleries for October 2010

Never mind working on trying to loosen up shape. 
How about stripes?
This vase shows a new direction for my clay work. 
After years of working either with contrast or color,
the two are finally integrating. 
The stripes are becoming less intentional.
The background and foreground are separating less.
The color acts as a frame work defining the contrast and keeping the eyes within the form.

I sent off three shipments of work this past week.
You can find some of the new style at;
Lillstreet in Chicago,
http://www.lillstreet.com/
Heights Arts in Cleveland Heights,
http://www.heightsarts.org/
The Ohio Craft Museum in Columbus.
http://www.ohiocraft.org/museum.html


Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

Contrast and Color

On Saturday, I unloaded a kiln and have been critiquing the results. Adding color in addition to the traditional use of contrast with dot and stripe patterns on form is the current assignment.

Below are some of the results.

The two images above are hand built and show the added red glaze color with the wax resist dots and/or stripes.

The image to the left is wheel thrown and shows contrast without the red color.  The pattern on the vase was created using an age old traditional technique of wax resist.  I have been working with wax resist to create contrast on clay surface for many years.  First, a white glaze is applied.  Second, wax is painted on areas of the glaze which will remain white.  Third, a black glaze is applied which overlaps the white glaze. 

Painting black stripes on the surface has never created the strong black line that I get from wax resist.  This wax resist method works for me!




Concept to Creation, Theresa Yondo

Student Work Summer 2010

A few weeks ago, I took some quick images of student work fresh out of the kiln and before the pots were swept away to their destinations.  This morning, I was reviewing the work from the last class session and thought I would post some of the student work.

Tray by KC

Tray and dipping bowl by KC

Mug and Vase by Nakul

Vase or bowl by Gurkan

Mug by Cheryl

Concept to Creation

Theresa Yondo

Glen Lake Sunset

Back from vacation, full of ideas and energy for what's ahead. 
It was a bit cold and windy in the Glen Arbor area last week.  Winds were 50MPH creating stinging sand storms on the beach.  A few brave souls were board surfing and wind surfing on Lake Michigan.  Bruce and I only were able to get out two days to kayak and sail.  Thanks again to Wendy, Michael and Sam for inviting us up to the lake house.  So glad that John and Ian could join us for a few days.
Glen Lake, Glen Arbor, Michigan, United States
Theresa Yondo
Concept to Creation

An evening of beauty at Glen Lake

Teaching Clay Class

Teaching out of my studio is proving to be the best thing I have done in years for a teaching gig.  I often tend to be withdrawn and private retreating into my creative ideas as they work themselves out.  Deciding to open my studio to others was not an easy decision for me.

Actually, this bearish economy  made the decision  for me as we do need to pay our bills.  Wether I have 2 students or 40 students in a class, I walk away with my little bit of income from the class which is dependant on an hourly teaching rate as I have always been hired on a part time basis.  When teaching at an art center or college the class of course gets cancelled with only 2 students and this has been happening often as people are not signing up for art classes like they use to.  Well guess what, If I have two students coming to my studio I don't need to cancel.  Thus, I am able to offer smaller classes and make a better hourly rate with just a third student in the class.  The smaller classes have been fabulous for numerous obvious and not so obvious reasons.  These reasons might make it onto another blog post.

Part time teaching is financially quite difficult as the cost of living in the United States is very high.  Part time work often means minimal benefits if any and definitely no health benefits.  The educational system would crumble without part-time or adjunct faculty.

The students are stopping by tonight to pick up the many wonderful objects they made.  The kiln is still cooling but I should be able to see inside in a few hours.  Such anticipation!  I choose these drinking cups to post today as the students have encouraged me to make several new cups for the studio. 

Concept to Creation
Theresa Yondo
Keep Making Pots!

Third Lillstreet International Bowl Me Over Friday, August 20 2010 to Wednesday, September 15 2010

Once again, Lillstreet Art Center is hosting the Third Lillstreet International Bowl Me Over Show.
Each year the theme of the show changes and this year the focus is functional ceramic bowls.
Lillstreet Art Center is located at the north end of Chicago.  This bowl was accepted into the show and fortunately if you can't make it to the show you still can view the show online.  This information will follow soon.

Lillstreet is located at 4401 N. Ravenswood Chicago, IL.  60640.  http://www.lillstreet.com/exhibition-details/22

The very cool thing about this show is that Lillstreet puts together a wonderful poster of all accepted entries in the show.  Thank you so much Lillstreet for all your support which is dedicated to the arts.

Concept to Creation,
Theresa Yondo

Flower Bricks with Flowers

There are so many flowers in bloom right now in the yard that I spent some time placing flowers in some flower bricks I made a few years back.  I make a lot of pots and on occasion will pack and store several of those pots to revisit later.  So, with so many flowers in bloom I thought it might be a good time to unpack these pots and to take images of these vases with flowers.  The next time I show this work, I will have an image of how to use the vase for the potential collector or buyer.  I thought this would come in handy especially if the vase is being purchased as a gift.  I often forget how difficult it can be to visualize  how to use things.

The big white flower is from a hosta plant and the big green leaf is a hosta leaf.  The pink flower is from a rose of sharon tree. 

This vase has metal frogs inside to hold the flowers.

Critiquing work is always a part of aesthetic growth.  This black with pink blush combination is always a bit difficult to work with when choosing flowers.  I think it would have been better to leave the dots off the lid.  The flowers seem to be in competition with the dots although this wildflower can handle the competition.

This black and white flower brick is a new vase.  It was made earlier this year and glazed last week.  I do think this lid without the dots visually works much better.                                                                                    I really never tire of making vases.  There are unlimited shapes and glaze combinations to come up with.  No two vases are ever identical. Similar yes, identical, no. 

Concept to Creation,

Theresa Yondo

                                                                                                            

Plates

I thought it might be nice to see the plates mentioned in the last post without food obscuring the view.

Ron Meyers

Kirk Mangus

Yes, Kirk has worked with porcelain on occasion and used blue and white.  Of course his image is unmistakable.

  

Theresa Yondo

Concept to Creation

Garden Delights

Tomatoes,
peppers,
basil
and husk cherries
picked on Saturday for lunch. 
Everything from our garden on this plate
except the avocado.

My dear friend Jeanne and I spent a lovely morning together which ended with lunch at my house.  Food served on three thrown plates.  From top left, Ron Meyers, Kirk Mangus and of course Theresa Yondo.  Kirk was my graduate professor at Kent State University and years ago I took a workshop from Ron Meyers at Cleveland Institute of Art.
Lunch consisted of fresh mozzarella cheese on artisan Italian bread with fresh vegetables and herbs.  A side of Lupini beans for salt on these hot 90 degree days.  No wine today!
Thanks Jeanne for taking these images.
Concept to Creation
Theresa Yondo

Kiln Opening

There is nothing like opening a kiln with intended results.  The process of working with clay has so many steps, that keeping focused from beginning to end in the creation process can be very

challenging especially if one's mind travels as much as mine does.  Of course, I think this is usual for most artist's.  You must be able to see the finished creation or product before it exists.  Thus, the very reason for the title of this blog Concept to Creation.

Concept to Creation

Theresa Yondo

Flower Brick

I started making vases appropriate for flowering arranging in the early 80's and have often revisited this idea.  Vases appropriate for flower arranging is an odd name but so is flower brick.  Basically the shape I am referring to has a holder for water and a lid with holes.  The stems of the flowers slide into the lid holes and the interlocking stems can easily be arranged to create a harmonious bouquet of flowers.

Maybe the word flower brick originated from brick shapes which held flowers.  Maybe vases appropriate for flower arranging originated from some Victorian vase designs.  I have never been able to come across concrete historical information explaining these types of vase designs.

Regardless of the proper historical terms or definitions, I just love these vessels.  This image is a close up of a vase I made last year.

Concept to Creation
Theresa Yondo

Keep Making Pots

Life keeps getting in the way of blogging and studio work however, I still was able to get some clay work done like these two vases.  One of my mentors, Ron Meyers, often says keep making pots and I think that is very good advice.  My wish is that we all can find some honorable work that can help keep us sane.

I am so glad that I spent time studying traditional Tibetan meditation practices because I think my head would have spun off my body this month with all the crazy things that happened.  Our beloved dog, Togher, passed on to her next adventure.  Dad's aneurysm surgery was successful but it is time for him to enter a retirement community so, he will not be going home.  Ahhhh, the whole aging process.  The most outrageous news came from the attempted mugging which turned into a shooting of a dear friend Jeffry. 

Jeff is a beloved Cleveland Neon artist and we all hope for his speedy recovery.
See Jeff's story just before his release from hospital:

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/tremont-artist-shot-in-attempted-holdup-speaks-out
and if you can donate monies to help with his expenses a fund has been set up:
A fund for Jeff and Cynthia has been set up at Fifth Third Bank under the Jeffry Chiplis Neon Heart fund. You can make donations at any Fifth Third Bank.

If you're not close to a Fifth Third Bank and would like to mail a donation you can do so. To make sure you get a tax deductible receipt for your donation, please include a self-addres​sed, stamped envelope with your donation. You will be sent a receipt in that envelope for your 2010 tax returns.
Mai​l your check or money order to:
Fifth Third Bank
Jeffry Chiplis Neon Heart Fund
309 North Levitt Road
Amherst​, OH 44001
Attn: Melissa Hicks

Theresa Yondo
Concept to Creation

100 American Craftsmen

The 40th Anniversary of 100 American Craftsmen at the Kenan Center in Lockport New York is June 4-6.  The hours of the show are June 4, 6-9 p.m., June 5, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and June 6, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Kenan Center is located at 433 Locust Street in Lockport, New York, 14094.

From Cleveland the Center is about a 3.5 hour drive.  If you are feeling a bit adventurous, maybe I will see you there.  If you are in the area, please stop by.

"The Kenan Center is a 25 acre campus located in one of the most popular and picturesque tourist regions in New York State."
Admission to the show is $6.00.  A $1.00 off coupon can be printed at the following link. http://www.kenancenter.org/images/web_dollaroffcoup.pdf

Theresa Yondo
Concept to Creation

Dinnerworks

This Friday May 14th stop by Geode Gallery and check out some great claywork created by a bunch of clay enthusiasts.

These two images of dinnerware show some of the new shapes and glaze work I have been exploring.

The plates are wheel thrown and slightly altered and the glaze is overlapped with a bit of wax resist.

All work is cone 10 electric oxidation and is for sale.

Dinnerworks show at Geode Gallery

755 Starkweather in Tremont, OH. 44113
6pm-10pm 440-667-1651

Nineteen ceramic artists, including twelve local artists, show off their incredible art and craft through a display of unique place settings.
Artists include: Sandy Miller, Todd Leech and Stephanie Craig, Marcia Selsor, Heidi Heugen, Tracy Shea, Carol Ohl, Sharon Wagner, Susan Gallagher, Chris Longwell, Theresa Yondo, George Roby, Lynne Lofton, Bette Drake, Andra LeBlonde, Carla Flati, Richard Aerni, Dolita Dohrman and Yumiko Goto.

Also showing will be
Photographer Steve Cagan
Meet Steve Cagan, Cleveland Activist/Photographer, whose work documents movements for progressive social change, for justice and peace. Featured will be work from Cagan's current projects and selected pieces from his large body of homeless portraits, bird portraits, and industrial landscapes.
and
Clothing from Brigade
Geode gallery is happy to invite Brigade to Tremont! Brigade clothing is high fashion and top of the line, including both independent designers and big name brands with unique styles.

More
new
dinner
ware!



Show ends May 30th.  This is a cash and carry show.


Theresa Yondo
Concept to Creation

The Business Side of Things

Making a card to use for a gift insert has been on my list of things to do.  So, I spent some time today working on text and cropping images to use on a gift card.   The card reads something like this. 

Theresa began her first college ceramic class in 1979 and knew then that working with clay would be part of her life. Using clay to explore art and hand made objects began a life long journey. Balancing craft in art in the machine and computer age in order to personalize the object has been and still is quite the journey.
Theresa currently teaches ceramic classes and sells her work locally and regionally.

I was trying not to write a dissertation on knowing the maker of the things we use in our homes but hoping the reader would understand the gist of the few sentences. 
 
Any thoughts? 
Theresa Yondo
Concept to Creation

Gestures "The Art of Giving"

There is a new gallery boutique opening in Rocky River, Ohio.  Maybe evolving would be a better description for the opening once the history of Gestures is understood.  That however is another story.  Yesterday, I dropped off clay work for the grand opening which is on April 17th beginning at 11:00 a.m.  The Rocky River Mayor, Pamela E. Bobst, will be part of the celebration with a cutting ribbon ceremony as part of the festivities.  The gallery was bustling yesterday with artists bringing in work.  Valerie Greathouse, one of the owners, was amazingly gracious with her sincerity and outlook.  I look forward to meeting Chris Keener, the other gallery owner this Saturday.

The location and overall handling of the gallery evoked memories of a vacation destination.  Check out the gallery and take a stroll in the area.  Gestures can be found at 1150 Linda Street, Rocky River, Ohio 44116.  The phone number is 440-665-3122 and the www. address is http://www.gesturesshop.com/.

Theresa Yondo

Concept to Creation

Flower Brick with Daffodils

Every once in a while a friend or patron will email me an image of how the clay work they purchased is being used.  I just love getting these images and messages and revisiting work that has left the studio.  My brushwork often is very structured when applying glaze but not on this vase.  The loose line and pastel colors fade into the background as the daffodils sing announcing spring.
Thanks to my dear friends Lorna and Susan for sending this image.

Theresa Yondo
Concept to Creation

Image Transfer on Clay

I started teaching out of my studio and have been having so much fun.  My dear friend, teacher and now student, Anne Warren is taking class and keeping me on my toes.  Anne is a wonderful fiber artist herself and is so self motivated.  One project we have been working on is image transfer on clay.  We are using the book, Image Transfer on Clay by Paul Andrew Wandless, as our guide to explore image transfer.  The image above is a tile I glazed and an image Anne, who also has a medical background, chose to transfer onto the clay tile.   

Concept to Creation

Theresa Yondo

Serving Trays with Bowl

Above two nesting rectangular trays with a small thrown bowl.

Cone 10 electric fired, porcelain.

I have been working all winter on new glazes and designs and I am beginning to see results from all the work.    The bottom tray is a new size I am making and will fit a standard loaf of bread.  The top rectangular tray is perfect for sushi, asparagus or other snack foods such as cheese and crackers.  The bowl is perfect for a dipping sauce or nuts.

Concept to Creation

Theresa Yondo

More Ash Glaze Results

Finally, I timidly glazed the top fourth of this vase with ash glaze as I hate to clean kiln shelves and did not want a melt down with this new glaze.  Trying to find a speckled brown glaze that I can live with at cone 10 electric has been nearly impossible.  It is not like you can mix paint and come up with the color you want on a canvas.  This brown glaze is an ash glaze and has Barnard Clay in the glaze.  Luckily, I have about 200 pounds of Barnard Clay that is about 25 years old.  I guess it does pay to collect materials you think you may some day use.  Although this glaze is made mostly from Wood Ash which can be unpredictable and Barnard Clay (Blackbird) which can be hard to come by, I hope to reproduce something close to this glaze when I make up a big batch.

Concept to Creation

Theresa Yondo

Ash Glaze in Electric Kiln

Here are some of the test results from the ash glazes.  I used the same base glaze on nine of the tests and overlapped the ash glaze on top.  Some of the results are pretty yummy.  Originally, I learned to fire my work in a cone 10 reduction gas kiln.  When I finally got my own studio together I just did not have the money or the physical energy to build a reduction fired kiln so I went electric.  I now fire cone 10 electric.  Wow, one the most difficult things I had to let go of was the flame.  The flame whipping around in the fire chamber of a kiln is so much of the magic that caused me to become a ceramic artist.  Centering the clay and working with the flame became my muse. 
In graduate school in 1995 at KSU, Kirk Mangus gave me six pages of notes from his time at Chester Springs Studio in 1991.  Most of the glaze recipes I tested this round came from his notes.

Concept to Creation
Theresa Yondo

Glaze Tests

Looking North East ouside studio window.

Last night I started making a bunch of glaze tests.  These containers which you can see lined up on the board are holding the beginnings of what may be new glazes for me to work with.  The studio is kept warm using a wood stove and I figured I might as well use the ashes from the wood stove and explore wood ash glazes.  So far I have tested a couple of wood ash glazes and the results are very nice especially over another glaze.  It is amazing how much wood needs to burn to get enough ash to make a glaze.  It is even more amazing the beautiful surface that ash creates on the surface of clay.  The process of exploring new glazes is very exciting and time consuming.  I started going through all my notes from various workshops and graduate school and reorganizing them.  I started separating some by color and some by theme such as wood ash. 

Theresa Yondo

Concept to Creation