Out of the Fire Sculpture Studio

I am still trying to find a balance between creating art and marketing--even posting to this blog on a regular basis gets pushed aside.  I wish it weren't so--it's a lot of fun to chronicle activities in the studio and at shows.   Even though the comments are few and far between, several people have written me, so I know there are lurkers out there.

Thanks!

The posts also have been image-poor--it's a bit of a process (long story), so I don't post as many photos these days as I'd like.  

Anyway, thought you'd like to see a couple more images of the studio.  Earlier posts showed a teacher workshop in session, and how full every horizontal surface can become before a show.

Here is the studio before the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Show--I repainted door panels and pedestals.  There are other pedestals to the left and several short ones below that did not get included in the photo.  Preparing for a show can be a lot of work--and that's for the non-art stuff!

A sea of white

And here is the outside of the studio, decked out for the holidays.  Photo taken Dec. 14, 2009.

Out of the Fire Sculpture Studio

As I write this, the studio is very clean, after the first ever Saxapahaw Holiday Open House.  I'll try to get a photo of that--not very exciting, but the transformation is pretty amazing, considering it was a Sea of White a few weeks ago, then a storage unit for boxes after that--we could hardly move.

I have a gallery space here, too--will get a photo of that.

On the Cover of the Rolling Stones

Would you believe  in the Life section of the Fayetteville Observer?

Melissa Clement, who is an artist herself, and a reporter for The Fayetteville Observer, attended the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Show.   She said my work "stands out," which was such a high compliment.  Melissa interviewed me and wrote an article that is in today's paper.

Guess I "did good"--she is usually allowed a very short article and only one photo.  They included one of me and one of Bodyguard.

Here is the url for the article.  If my photo shows up, hit "Next" in the photo box to see the art.

http://www.fayobserver.com:80/Articles/2009/12/06/956960

Thank you, Melissa!

The FIRST EVER Saxapahaw Holiday Open House!!!

On Saturday, December 12, I will be joining other artists and entrepreneurs in Saxapahaw for the FIRST-EVER Saxapahaw Holiday Open House!

I continue to be amazed at all of the things you can do in our small town--from the Saturdays in Saxapahaw music event and Farmers' Market (www.rivermillvillage.com), to Oktoberfest, to volunteering at Paperhand Puppet Intervention (did that one day-much fun!), to eating at our Country Store (amazing food!), to visiting Benjamin Vineyards (great wine and art exhibits, too!), taking canoe rides, visiting our wonderful Roxy Farms Antiques shop (and meet the most wonderful Roxy herself!), spending the night at the gorgeous River Landing Inn--or attending their art receptions (complete with terrific food and live music), taking movement and dance classes, taking a class here at my studio, and many other things.

So we are hosting this Holiday Open House Tour to let people know.  Grab a friend and come on out.  You'll be able to share in holiday festivities, see demonstrations, taste local wines, attend free classes and other activities, and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts.  All within a community of a few square miles.  Amazing!

To date, businesses and artists and their offerings include: 

Benjamin Vineyards & Winery - Winetasting, including seasonal Spice Wine and two new dessert wines, Twelve Days of Christmas Art Show featuring more than 35 pieces, representing the work of over 20 local artists. 6516 Whitney Rd. 12 noon - 5 p.m. 336-376-1080. http://www.benjaminvineyards.com/

The Bridge at Rivermill - free movement and classes from 9:30-10:30a.m. and 2:00-4:00p.m., acupressure sessions, available by donation from 1-4 p.m..  1647 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd., www.rivermillvillage.com, www.metaformmovement.com, www.leighbrown.info, 919-619-6405, 919 601-1282 or dblondiedancer@aol.com.

Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. - Guest Appreciation Day: potluck, gear swap and free paddle trip. RSVP requested. Saxapahaw Community Center. Noon-5:00p.m. 336-260-6465, info@hawrivercanoe.com  .

The Hawbridge School, a tuition free public charter high school, will feature an art exhibit and the launch of its student-run microenterprise, Hawbridge Designs.  A wide variety of student-designed silk scarves, photo greeting cards, recycled art works, and large art pieces will be available for purchase.  Proceeds from the sale support educational programs.  Prospective students and their families are especially welcome from 2-4 pm when the school's music ensemble will perform.  1735 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd., 1-6 p.m.  336-376-1122 or www.hawbridgeschool.org.

Out of the Fire Sculpture Studio - Clay hand building and sculpture demonstrations, free mini classes. Visitors will be able to create their own masterpiece, leave it for firing and pick it up at a later date.  6035 Church Rd. 10a.m.-5 p.m.  336-376-9091 or www.cindybilesblog.blogspot.com/. 

Paperhand Puppet Studio -exhibit of large puppets used in their productions.  1-4p.m.  Saxapahaw Community Center. www.paperhand.org.

River Landing Inn - coffee, tea, Christmas cookies and snacks, exhibit of quilts by Violet DeKnikker. 5942 Whitney Road Graham, NC 27253. 12noon to 4p.m. (336) 376-1502 or matt@riverlandinginn.com.

Roxy Farm Antiques - A Dickens Christmas Carole Open House! Fine southern antiques, including primitives, baskets, quilts, hats, vintage photos, brass candlesticks, tree ornaments from Mexico, and much more. Tiny Tim, Scrooge and the Ghosts from Dickens', A Christmas Carole, will be singing Christmas carols. Join us for some Yuletide cheer with locally-grown wines from Benjamin Vineyards & Winery, along with homemade holiday hors d' oeuvres. 5768 Church Rd., 10a.m.-6p.m. (336) 264-7731. 

Saxapahaw Artists Co-Op - wide range of unique items for holiday gifting 10a.m. – 6p.m.

Tour Maps are available at numerous locations throughout Saxapahaw.  Tour locations will be well marked and numbered. 

Getting to Saxapahaw:

From Chapel Hill/Carrboro take HWY 54 West, approximately 13 miles.  Turn left on Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road.  

From Hillsborough, take Orange Grove Road to HWY 54 W to Sax-Beth Church Road.  

From Mebane, take Mebane-Oaks Road to HWY 54, travel across to Sax-Beth Church Road. 

 From Burlington, take I-40 to exit 147 toward Pittsboro approximately 10 miles.  Turn Left onto Church Road.

 

I'll post updates as I hear about them, or you can call Benjamin Vineyards & Winery (336-376-1080) or check their website:  http://www.benjaminvineyards.com/.

 

Preparing for the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Show in Raleigh, NC

Just picked up my rental Metrovan.  Kevin and I will fill it up with art and booth furniture tomorrow and head to Raleigh.  Bodyguard, Caroline & Grace and Max & Gizmo will make their debut at this show.  I'll also bring new big dogs, teeny ornaments, and small dogs and llamas.  Also, my blackware--inspired by potters of the pueblos in the American Southwest.

I know I have not kept you up to date on studio happenings in the last several days--had so many things going on, I didn't have time to write about them!

We've put in some late nights, but it has been rewarding to see the work finally finished and the set up ready to go.

Hope to see you in Raleigh!

Sneak preview below--photos by Jason Dowdle

Bodyguard--the first in this new body of work, People and Their Companion Animals.

To give you an idea of scale, this piece if 21 inches tall.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, my brother thinks the girl looks like me in high school--even before the piece was glazed.  I had not noticed it, but he is right. 

Caroline and Grace

Max and Gizmo

Caroline & Grace is 15-16 inches tall and Max & Gizmo, 17 inches in height.  

You would not believe how much time I spent picking out colors, including colors of the dog collars! I considered what the character would choose, what glazes are available, what works well with colors of dogs, enough contrast, not too much contrast, etc.  Made many, many test tiles and, will be doing more, as the new batch of clay has a different formulation, so may give different colors with my glazes.  Not such a big deal for clothing, but people's skin tones--wow--so many colors that looked good on the test tile did not work for larger areas.  So I will be testing a lot more.  I am currently using mostly Amaco underglazes, but if anyone has suggestions for good skin tones, of all colors, please drop me a line.

The dogs' tags have the numbers 2912519, corresponding to letters of the alphabet for BILES:  

2-9-12-5-19

The ladies' dogs have heart shaped tags, but Gizmo's tag is bone-shaped.  It is unintentional, but Max bears a striking resemblance to Kevin's father (though Max's face is much fuller).  Also, Kevin used to have a vest almost that color.

Quick Update

Whew--I've been so busy, I have not been able to post lately.  Within the past week, I've taught many very talented second graders at a school in Raleigh--they made wonderful sculptures which we will paint on December 3.  

This past weekend was the Whimsical Women show, in Winston-Salem.  The show is legendary for its superb organization and incredible food (made by the artists).  All of the artists help with some aspect of the show--which gets us out of our booths and, yes, even do some shopping ourselves!

I got to visit with artists who I knew for a while, hadn't seen for a while, or met at the spring show, held in May, in the Chapel Hill area.

Many, many thanks to Luli Sanderford, our hostess, and her sister, Linda Palladino.  Also the many other organizers...I'm afraid to name them for fear of leaving someone out--except I have to mention Brenda Moore--who I met through classes at Sawtooth many years ago.  She makes exquisite maiolica.

As I write this , I am taking a break from unloading the van.  

With the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Show coming right up, I spent some time this morning repainting pedestals.  Had repainted the wall panels earlier this week--will take and post a photo if I have any time or energy left.  Needless to say, the studio is a sea of white.  Once dry enough to handle, we'll arrange all this "furniture" and set up a mock-up booth.  Would have like to have done this weeks ago, but too much going on!  All good problems!

Carolina Designer Craftsmen Art Show

This is my third year of running with the big dogs.  The Carolina Designer Craftsmen will host its annual  show at the North Carolina State Fairground in Raleigh from November 27 to 29 (Friday through Sunday).  The hours are:

Friday, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. 
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 
Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

To learn more about the guild, please visit their website:

http://www.carolinadesignercraftsmen.com/

There is a two-year jurying process--you are accepted first as a probationary member, based on images you submit.  Once the jury sees your work at the show and approves, you are a member.  Still, there is a standards committee who reviews artists' work every three years.  So standards are high.

I am bringing what is the beginning of my new body of work, People and Their Companion Animals.  What with research, sculpting, glazing and at least two firings, each takes several weeks to create.  I hope to have three of those pieces completed in time.  One will be in the Masterworks section and the other two in my booth, number  N-3.  

Also, I've made a couple of medium-sized and smaller sculptures, as well as several dog and bird ornaments. (I have to admit, they are cute, and I'll have trouble parting with them!)   So, I'll have something to offer at all prices.

The cost to produce such an event is high, so there is an entrance fee--$7.00 for a day pass. Sorry about that!

So come by, no pressure to buy, but remember, I have a lot of hungry mouths to feed!  ;-)

Seriously, I've been out of the social loop for a while and would love to see you.

Saxapahaw Holiday Open House

I've been attending meetings with a group of other artists and business owners living and/or working in Saxapahaw. On Saturday, December 12, we're hosting a Holiday Open House. 

People will be able to see us in our studios or workplaces, enjoy holiday refreshments, see demonstrations, taste local wines, attend free classes, see art shows, share in a pot luck dinner, enjoy music, go on a canoe ride for free, and do some shopping.  And this is all within a few square miles.

We thought this would be a great way for people to see what our small community has to offer.  

So far, participants include: 

Benjamin Vineyards & Winery - Winetasting, including seasonal Spice Wine and two new dessert wines, Twelve Days of Christmas Art Show features more than 35 pieces, representing the work of over 20 local artists. 6516 Whitney Rd. 12 noon - 5 p.m. 336-376-1080. http://www.benjaminvineyards.com/

Elementary Dance Education Academy. Rivermill. dblondiedancer@aol.com

Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. - Guest Appreciation Day, with potluck, gear swap and free 2-hour paddle trip. RSVP requested. Saxapahaw Community Center. Noon-5:00p.m. 336-260-6465, info@hawrivercanoe.com  

The Hawbridge School (tuition free public charter school)- art exhibit and launch of student-run business, featuring sale of student-designed dyed silk scarves, photo greeting cards, recycled art works, and large art works. Proceeds from sale support educational programs.  1735 Saxapahaw-Bethleham Church Rd. 1-6 p.m.  336-376-1122 or www.hawbridgeschool.org.

Out of the Fire Sculpture Studio - Clay handbuilding and sculpture  demonstrations, free mini classes. 6035 Church Rd. 10a.m.-5 p.m.  336-376-9091 or www.cindybilesblog.blogspot.com/. 

River Landing Inn - coffee, tea, Christmas cookies, snacks. 5942 Whitney Road Graham, NC 27253. 12noon to 4p.m. (336) 376-1502 or matt@riverlandinginn.com

Roxy Farm Antiques - A Dickens Christmas Carole Open House! Fine southern antiques, including primitives, baskets, quilts, hats, vintage photos, brasscandlesticks, tree ornaments from Mexico, and much more. Tiny Tim, Scroogeand the Ghosts from Dickens', A Christmas Carole, will be singing Christmas carols. Join us for some Yuletide cheer with locally-grown wines from Benjamin Vineyards & Winery, along with homemade holiday hors d' oeuvres. 5768 Church Rd., 10a.m.-6p.m. (336) 264-7731. 

Benjamin VIneyards and Riverlanding Inn have been great supporters of local artists, with multiple shows throughout the year.  Benjamin Vineyars has its Twelve Says of Christmas Show up, with a Meet the Artists reception on December 13, from 1-4PM.