mudpuppy's posterous

February 16, 2011

Where have you been?

Alright, you probably think i've totally abandoned my blog for the past few months but i've actually found a site that seems to be working better for me. I've found that pinterest is a bit more suited to me since most of my posts are visually centered and it allows me to just pin a great piece to my board and be done with it. Please come check out all the fantastic ceramic pieces i've been scouring the web for on my board here http://pinterest.com/mudpuppy/contemporary-ceramics/ you can even follow it to check back and see new additions. See you there! ~Mike

Comments [0]

December 18, 2010

Feelie Collection Update

I've added a couple feelies by Rose Cabat to my collection over the past months. I'm loving the blue, lavender, green set but the second set needs more color for my taste...i'm thinking maybe a lavender shoulder vase needs to be added? Also thinking maybe I need to display them ALL together on one shelf until I can do a series of shelves and really spread them out.

(download)

Comments [1]

November 27, 2010

Ceramic Love: Shard Pottery

A few months ago I came across Frank Matranga's incredible vase (last two images) and was brought back to thinking about it when flipping through a book at the studio to discover the shard vases created by master ceramicist Rick Dillingham (1952-1994). Don't miss this link to the Museum of Art & Design where you can zoom in really close to the piece to examine the detail. From what I understand, Rick would build the piece and then break it into shards, glaze and fire the various pieces and then use his pottery restoration skills to re-assemble the pots adding detail here and there. Definitely a technique I want to explore this next year.

(download)

Filed under // Ceramic Inspiration Ceramic Love

Comments [0]

November 10, 2010

Naked Clay Series: Mike Moran

I've been working on some new large platters that could double as wall pieces so I thought I would do a web search to see what was already out there thus discovering Artist Mike Moran's incredible sculptural work at A New Leaf Gallery in Sonoma County, Northern California.

(download)

Filed under // Naked Clay

Comments [0]

October 20, 2010

Lucio Fontana Abstract Ceramic Sculpture

I've been obsessed with Lucio Fontana's abstract ceramic sculpture after being introduced to it by Ready for the House. The uncontrolled energy and minimalist color schemes take my breath away. Even though Mr. Fontana, who was born in Argentina, was known for slashing and puncturing his vividly colored canvases he worked extensively in clay.

(download)

Filed under // Ceramic Inspiration

Comments [0]

September 15, 2010

Naked Clay Series: Jeanette Crofts

I found three gorgeous clays that happened to be displayed next to each other with enticing names like birch, hickory and firethorn so I can start my own naked clay project! Which brings me to the latest post in my Naked Clay Series; the gorgeous wheel thrown mixed stoneware clay forms by Jeanette Crofts at Flux Gallery.

(download)

Filed under // Naked Clay

Comments [0]

September 14, 2010

Naked Clay Series: Ban Kajitani

It's weird how things start jumping out at you when you're looking for them. That's what happened with Ban Kajitani's work for me. I was browsing around on ebay and found a Nerikome piece by him and instantly wanted to know everything about his beautifully subtle work.

(download)

Filed under // Naked Clay

Comments [0]

September 13, 2010

Naked Clay Series: Jennifer Lee

I recently had a happy accident happen in the studio where a piece of lighter clay got trapped in the dark slip I was using to pour my hanging air plant pods which turned out to be a beautiful inclusion and set me off on a month long journey to seek out inspiration and information about mixing colored clay. Over the next week or so I will take you through my journey of discovery so you can see what has been inspiring me.

Jennifer Lee was one of the first ceramic artists who's exquisite work really jumped out at me. She only makes about 18 pots a year! so you can imagine the time she spends on each one to get them perfect. There is a fantastic video of her describing her work here.

(download)

Filed under // Naked Clay

Comments [0]

August 28, 2010

Who do I collect?

Rose Cabat is the one ceramic artist I passionately collect. Her small vessels are so exquisite, each delicate pieces covered in a silky soft matte glaze of her own making. I really admire her passion and love for her life's work, she is 96 and still working away. I hope my passion is still as intensely important to me when I am her age...and that I can make as much of a contribution through my work as she has. One day I hope to have a collection as large as the last images posted here which is from a gallery in Belgium.

(download)

Filed under // My Collection pretty things

Comments [0]

July 20, 2010

Babaghuri Ceramics

I'm in love with these simple and gorgeous ceramic forms molded from gourds and coconuts by Tokyo based Jurgen Lehl under the Babaghuri label. The firing process subtly shapes the hand crafted pieces making each one of a kind. What a sculptural element these would add to any table or cabinet display!

(download)

Filed under // Ceramic Inspiration

Comments [0]

Tags