a respite from winter (and studio)

What a glorious day it was today, and B and I took full advantage of it by going to the beach. That's why I live in RI.

thoughts on ny gift fair

I went to the NY Gift Fair feeling like a kid on her first day of school: nervous, excited, a little scared. The first thing that greeted me when I emerged in the new beautiful northern wing of the Javits was my booth. It was right up front. I immediately felt lucky, and my nervousness abated. The show's organizers were amazing, giving extra press to new exhibitors, for which I am extremely grateful.

Then I met my vendor neighbors, and I calmed down even more. I was surrounded by experienced, talented, and extremely nice artists, who make a living on their talents and are generous about sharing their knowledge. The five days flew by, some days were great selling days, some were a bit more quiet. I spoke to a number of wonderful buyers and press, who were very positive about my work. Many amazing stores across the country placed orders, and I am excited to share them with you as soon as the orders ship. It will take me until the end of October to get everything completed.

It's a really good feeling to put so much effort into something, and having it work out. I accomplished what I set out to do: take my ceramics to a broader audience. It's an exciting time, and I am so grateful for all your support and encouragement. Thank you!

on press

It’s been years since I have been “on press” to see a print job run. Back in my small design studio days, if the job was a book, for example, going on press was torturous. It entailed a lot of waiting around for the press to get up to speed, for all the dust to be removed, for the color to be balanced. It’s really an art running the offset presses, and it is fascinating to watch. Today’s press run was simple, one color, small business card, a breeze. Big thank you to Richard at Colonial Printing for making it all super easy. Here are the results:

Karen’s card is so bright, it pops out in the midst of all this machinery.

We spent a bit of time getting the color saturated (a juicy raspberry pink), and the ink coverage as even as possible on an uncoated paper stock.

I love press proofs, with all the bleed and crop and registration marks. A good way to start out the day.

study of light: pawtucket: 06.23.10

Next Wednesday I will be saying goodbye to this view. I will miss it. Moving is a difficult thing, but necessary. See previous “Pawtucket light” studies here.

three cheers for etsy

Etsy has grown into a very important community for me. I meet so many incredible people through this site, buyers as well as makers.

Shown above is one of my favorite “treasuries” assembled by a talented jewelry designer whose shop name is stönz. Not only did I discover inspiring ceramic artists, but also the work of the person who put this collection together. Three cheers for etsy for creating this amazing website where artists meet.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has me thinking about water. And how we take it for granted, though it’s becoming more and more fragile.

pablo picasso’s lady

Pablo Picasso’s “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust,” set a new sale record at Christie’s. See the full article here in The NY Times.

In 1951, the painting sold for $19,800; at the recent auction at Christie’s, it sold for $106.5 million. Will Picasso’s family see any of the profit? Or how about an art program funded by just one (or even a quarter of one) of the millions? A program that could nurturer a future Picasso...

A curious fact, here is Picasso’s full name: Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso.

study of light: pawtucket: 04.22.10

It is a rare day when I get a chance to observe changes in light from my window, and yesterday was perfect for such a luxury. A thunderstorm rolled in around 3pm, just as I was home from the studio for a late lunch. I had a fantastic view of the lightning as it came in from the north.

snowy Pawtucket

Looking out my window.

Looking at my windows, top floor, the third and fourth ones in from the very left.

The Blackstone River and Slater Mill, downtown Pawtucket.

Downtown Pawtucket, with the Cathedral on top of the hill.

Horse feeding on snow, from my favorite sculpture, downtown Pawtucket.

big thank you to Martha Stewart Crafts for a fantastic sale event

This past Saturday I participated in the Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale. For the first time, Martha Stewart doors opened to the public. Organized by the talented crafters who create exquisite beauty in the magazine month after month, the event was a smashing success, filled with crowds until just about closing time. I wanted to share some of my favorite moments and vendors.

I loved this display of the December Living issue, blown up to life-size.

The Sweets Shop was enticing, the packaging lovely as usual.

The crowds kept coming, with a line snaking down W. 26th Street.

My favorite items from the sale, beautifully crafted pins and earrings by Athena Preston, a senior craft editor.

Marcie McGoldrick makes elegant, delicate porcelain tableware. You can see Marcie and Athena’s work this Sunday, Dec. 13th, at the Divine Studio Holiday Sale, 21 E. 4th St., 6th Floor, NYC, 11am-6pm.

These are fantastic! Hand assembled ornaments and figurines with sweet Victorian faces. Vintage by Crystal

My friends Liz and Quy have the most discerning, knowledgeable eyes when hunting for antique treasures. I am constantly inspired by ceramic pieces they find, like this beautiful silverware platter. Check out their freshly launched website for more inspiration: bowerantiques.com.

Perfect delicate hair ornaments, by Handle & Spout.

My lovely Holiday Sale neighbor, Sophie, makes these labor intensive, gorgeous button necklaces. Contact sophie.nicolay@gmail.com for details.

I had to purchase one of these sweet money purses from JeanOnJean, check out her blog for info: JeanOnJean.

My porcelain ornaments debuted, though everyone thought they were necklaces. Perhaps they should be?

It was a super fun day, filled with catching up with old friends, and meeting new ones, like Cindy from Quaint Handmade (yeay). Thank you everyone for stopping by, especially Leslie and Jen who bought lunch!

nyc

Besides being a ceramist, I freelance graphic design, with most of my clients being in New York City. Having lived there for ten years, I love the city, its energy is an inspiration. The building where I am freelancing at the moment has fantastic, dizzying, views of Central Park as well as downtown Manhattan. It is quite the contrast to my quiet life in Pawtucket, RI, and I love this diversity. Click on the images for a larger view.

The above image is titled "How many yellow cabs can you find?" (15)

What a crazy place of juxtapositions, towering skyscrapers surrounded by water on all sides, with a giant park in the midst of controlled chaos.

endings

Three things ended for me in September: the life of a loved pet, a decade-long relationship, and a long-time place of employment. I've been lighting votives every night for the past few weeks, their comforting light a reminder that endings bring beginnings.

monday morning in sweet contemplation

As I savor my morning, I am thinking about last evening's adventure. I participated in Sunday Suppers, and loved every moment of it: the people, the place, the food, the conversation. I need a few days to gather my impressions, and will write more in a few days.

veggie goodness

Inspired by Deb's blog entry on veggies from her garden and the farmer's market, I decided to show off some lovelies from yesterday's CSA pick up. And to point you toward Mark Bittman's blog in The New York Times called 101 Simple Salads for the Season. A must read, save and pass on (which many did as it is the No. 1 emailed article for a few days now). Now go forth and eat some veggies this weekend, and send me pics! asya@gleena.com

photograph by Francesco Tonelli for The New York Times

artist in her home: no. 6

all photographs are from The New York Times

I found this fairy tale (which hapens to be a true story) in The New York Times today. Hope Sandrow encountered an unexpected muse while taking a walk in the woods, a Paduan chicken. Ms. Sandrow is a mixed media artist, whose work is in permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney and the Met. After a long period of not producing any work, she met Shinnecock, a large blond confident rooster, and began to create again, mostly chicken-related art.

Even the eggs laid by her now numerous chickens, are looked upon as sculptural installations. You just never know where inspiration will come from. More fowl-inspired art, including a video, can be seen at hopesandrow.com, there is even a live web cam. I love it.

the farm affair

above photographs by Alec

Last week I spent several days on a farm, helping Alec weed, dig and plant in an organic veggie garden. Alec is spending the summer creating a large garden for his friends, who own a farm in Navarre, Ohio.

It was such a treat to wake up to a big sky, birds chirping, trees swaying, and have my tea and breakfast on a small porch overlooking the fields where cows grazed peacefully. Did you know that cows are super curious, yet shy, have a cowlick and really long eyelashes?


It is hard work to tend a garden, and to dig up new beds, but it is oh so satisfying to walk down to one of the beds and pick fresh spinach and lettuce for that night's dinner. There was so much spinach that we had to think hard of dishes to use it all up. Alec made a spinach lasagna, I made a spinach pie, and I also froze some of it. All you have to do is blanch the spinach before throwing it into the freezer in a plastic bag. Way better than buying a bag of it at the grocery store.

I live in an industrial area in Pawtucket, RI, where putting your hand in the dirt could be a health hazard. I came back from the farm completely refreshed and energized, appreciating the hard work it takes to raise food for the table, and wanting to do more of it.