clay art

Aquatics of the French Riviera

The Mediterranean sea is beautiful in September! I have returned from my travels and projects in the south of France and am excited to share some of my new work and inspirations with San Francisco. I met Lauren Kearns during our residency together at Valauris in 2016, where we became great friends. She invited me to San Raphael, where she brings ceramic artists from all over the world to work and teach. We had our two-person exhibition called “Elements” on the 21st of September. The opening reception went well, with many of the local people in attendance and I got to practice my French. I was also invited to show my works at Faune Galleria in Antibes right next to the Picasso museum! I am happy my Aquatics are living in the French Riviera now.

My two-week residency in the south of France culminated in a series of sculptures which meditate on merging the smooth, polished and manicured aspects of civilized architecture with the rough, overgrown and wild elements of unpopulated forests and beaches. Translating my daily experience of socializing with the Mediterranean water creatures like corals and medusas, or the beautiful pine trees with their intricate cones, then walking back into the meticulously clean and organized town of San Raphael, my sculptures take on similarly multi-layered aspects and reveal rough, spontaneous textures beneath smooth and shiny skins.

After the bisque firing

 

 

“I’ll Take You to See the Future”

UPWARD she looks through a rose colored lens,

“I will take you to the future”
Her bottom lip bends,

Optimism and clarity is what her gift lends,

Her origin unknown, so your wonder deepens;

‘How may I meet her?’
Well that depends,

The sick, sad, impoverished are the ones who she mends,

Granting insight to happiness is her means to an end

Her power is priceless, for it is time she defends.

Poem inspired by the multi-talented Bjorn Rojas, one of my workshop attendees.

“Adele”
“Aqua Lady”
 
Antibes, France

Workshop update–Fantastical Creatures were a fantastic success!

I am so thrilled to meet an amazing group of creators and share my approach to clay this past week. I couldn’t have asked for more engaged and enthusiastic workshop participants. A bit nostalgic about leaving San Miguel de Allende but looking forward to bringing the Mexican energy into my own studio.

Here are some snapshots of our process and pieces ready for the kiln.

Looking forward to my next visit to San Miguel!

Showing personal work examples on the first day.
Hardworking students!
Face demo!

Upcoming Winter Shows!

It is an exciting upcoming weekend with back-to-back openings!
Happy to be invited to install the Heavenly Hundred and to show several other sculptures at the Retrospective 10th Year Anniversary Celebration exhibition at Inclusions Gallery!
Opening reception:
Thursday, December 7, 6-9pm
Exhibition runs:
December 7, 2017 – January 14, 2018
Inclusions Gallery
627 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
Tiny Show at Pence Gallery is coming up and two of my pieces, Aku and La Luna, will be there. I am happy to be included in this amazing collection of art by top local and regional artists.
Opening reception:
Friday, December 8, 6-9 PM
Show runs:
December 2 – December 24
Pence Gallery
212 D Street, Davis, CA 95616

Craft Rebels is a group show at Abrams Claghorn Gallery, featuring Bay Area artists who use traditional craft approaches to make work in response to current events and social issues. My wall figures and free standing sculptures will be a part of this fun show!

Opening reception:
Saturday, December 9, 5-7 pm
Show runs:
December 3 – January 31
Abrams Claghorn Gallery
1251 Solano Ave. Albany CA 94706

Generous Kingdom II is an exhibition that explores symbolism, narrative and beyond. My sculpture, Unspoken Sorrows, was selected to be a part of this show at Verum Ultimum Gallery in Portland, Oregon!

Generous Kingdom II Opening Reception:
December 2, 6-8pm

Verum Ultimum Gallery
3014 NE Ainsworth, Portland, OR 97211