A mug is a very personal thing. I have 2 that are my current sacred mugs. One for tea or coffee at home, and another at the studio. A good mug needs to fit in the hand. The handle needs to give me the option of holding it in my fist or putting my hand through it as I cradle the cup. It needs to be a good size, and designed to keep my drink warm. It needs to be able to go in the microwave, so I can reheat my drink throughout the day. It needs to come from the heart, through the hands.
Here are some mug shots. What do you look for in a mug?
A couple of weeks ago, I had posted some small tiles in process here. Those pieces have been glazed and fired.
These small pieces, that measure about 4.5″ x 4.5″, give me the opportunity to experiment with different carving and glazing combinations and techniques. I like the intimacy of working on a small scale, and the challenge of creating dimension on a flat surface.
Today I continued working on the bigger triptychs. I’ll post more images as they are available.
We’ve both been working hard in the studio. Steve was trimming cups and putting on handles:
I was working on these small tiles, and a larger triptych:
I’ll continue working on the triptych tomorrow and see how it evolves. There is something magical about the process. When I am quiet and attentive, the clay lets me know what I need to do.
By fromskilledhands (
February 17, 2009 at 8:43 am)
· Filed under Art, Craft, creativity
Would there be a symphony with just one note? Would winter’s majesty be the same with only one shape of snowflake? Would there be great literature with just one word?
The magic of the hand crafted object is that each item is different. Mysteriously, magically unique. A compilation of all of the experiences in the artist’s life brought to the creation of one piece. Exquisite.
I’ve written about our being connected and that living on Planet Earth, we really do live in the same town. We breathe the same air, look at the same moon and stars.
One World One Heart is an opportunity for people to share. Last year, Lisa Swifka, the originator of this event wrote:
The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way.
For me, it is another manifestation of the power of this medium. It is a way that we can embrace our humanity, and share it freely. It is interesting to me that it is the high tech that is providing the high touch in this high tech world. We have already demonstrated the Power of One in so many ways. This is another way for us to connect and to know that We Are One.
On Thursday, February 12, I will be doing another one of my high tech drawings—this one will probably be high tech die to the number of comments. I will be giving these to those whose names I draw. All items are crafted from fine porcelain clays, one at a time, by hand.
There will be at least 3 names drawn, and I will select which piece will be sent. The Touchstones may be given as a group or I may select some for several people.
Post a comment on this post by the deadline of 10:00 p.m.EST on February 11, and I will enter your name in the drawing. Please make sure that to add your email address when you post your comment so that I have a way to reach you .
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My Town Monday is another way to see that we all live in the same town. Travis Erwin, the man behind the curtain, is putting things back together after a devastating house fire. Chris, over at e-Cuniform scratchings, and Junosmom at Lifetime Learning are minding the store and posting links to blogs all over this fine planet. Take a look. You’ll learn a lot and have fun, too.
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And if you are so inclined, please visit Cups Of Kindness.
76 artists donated over 150 pieces of artwork. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork benefits the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank. To date, we have purchased 21,000 nutritious meals.
By fromskilledhands (
January 15, 2009 at 3:40 pm)
· Filed under Art, Craft, Porcelain tiles
I like making fans. The form of a fan is complete unto itself, and yet it is part of a circle.
Kind of like being a human. Here are some porcelain tiles that I have made. The designs are carved in porcelain clays and fired to about 1700 degrees F. Then colors are inlaid into the carved areas, the excess is removed and the glaze is applied. The piece is then fired to about 2200 Degrees F. Sometimes the pieces require multiple firings so that they are ready to be framed. This process makes the layers of glaze, which are actually fused glass, sing.
The rich earthiness of the brown glaze and the harvest tones of the fan suggested a quiet Earth to me.
This glaze reminded me of the color of the sky at night, that inky blue that is like velvet.
Even though the blue is bright, the piece has a quiet nature.
The generosity of the community continues: from artists who donated work, to those who support them and the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
There are several pieces that do not appear on the Cups of Kindness website. These beautiful pieces are available, and can be purchased by emailing me at
FromSkilledHands AT gmail DOT com. (I took the photos in the studio with available lighting.)
Remember, each dollar raised purchases 7 nutritious meals. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit the Foodbank.
“Raise a Cup of Kindness”by Marianne Hite; fused glass; 6.5″ ht x 5″;
$75.00
“Covered Jar,” by Larry McCardel; hand turned maple with ebony;
3″ x 3″; $54.00″
“Tea Cup I,” by Diane Keske Talmadge; oil on canvas; 5″ x 5″; $45.00; easel included
“Tea Cup II,” by Diane Keske Talmadge; oil on canvas; 5″ x 5″; $45.00; easel included
Antique Silver Cup donated by the Downtown Emporium, 3.5″ x 2.5″, Porcelain Tile by Debra Bures, 3 3/8″ x 2 7/8″; SOLD
I was looking at some pieces of glass and of pottery the other day. Pieces that are wonderful in their simplicity and purity. There appears to be no ego—the pieces are not signed and have obviously been well used. They are perfect in that their design is matched with their function. Who were the makers of these vessels? It hardly matters.
These are the unknown craftsmen and craftswomen. Folks who made things out of necessity and for the joy of the making. Nothing but that. And that, my friends, is something we can all learn.
On Wednesday, #2 daughter and I will be hitting the road again. Off to the Lake Eden Arts Festival. Should be a beautiful drive with a great kid to a wonderful place. #2 has a stress fracture, but doesn’t let a cast and crutches get her down. She is a Ninja warrior child who has more compassion and courage than she knows.
Today is a day of getting ready: an E string for #2′s fiddle, an extra camera battery and memory card, assorted snacks and other household and travel administrative tasks.
Tomorrow #2 has her writing class, then we’re off. I’ll be posting as part of Larramie’s and Barrie’s October Ovation tomorrow; and I’ll be back on Monday, with a My Town Monday post.
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Would there be a symphony with just one note? Would winter’s majesty be the same with only one shape of snowflake? Would there be great literature with just one word?
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