Sunday, March 20, 2011

Wow, what a nice open studio/party! Feeling the love.

A big thank you to everyone who came out to the open studio/grand opening/kiln god party! I really had a great time showing off the new space. I particularly love all the kiln gods attendees were kind enough to make, they will inspire me (and protect my pots) for a long time.

And if you did not get a chance to see the space, here are some pics. It will probably never look this good again :)


So now, I have no excuses! Time to roll up my sleeves (that is if I wore sleeves, this is S. Texas) and get to work. Mulberry bridge here I come!

Stop by in the next 12 weeks and see the progress.
Diana

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Open Studio/Grand Opening/Kiln God Party!

Please join me and Robert and Rosie Escamilla as we celebrate the opening of our newly renovated, 2,000 square foot ceramics studio. 

I am thrilled to announce that I have completely moved out of my "cozy" home/garage studio and am making work in the new space. My customers should be thrilled to know that my pottery is now on display and easily accessible for viewing and purchase. No more rummaging through boxes and bubble-wrap!

When:      Saturday, March 19th
               10AM-4PM



And, if you would be so kind, there is a tradition in ceramics of making "kiln gods," little creatures made of unfired clay that protect the work during the firing process. Clay will be available for you to make a creature that will be placed on shelving in the kiln room to watch over our future pots. 

I know your creatures will be a reminder of all the great support, love, and goodwill she experiences daily 
in her life as a potter. 

Please Come! You will be missed if we do not see you!

This open studio is taking place in conjunction with
San Antonio's Contemporary Art Month Open Studio Tour.
Click on the image to see other artist's spaces, including fellow ceramic artists that are located nearby: Wes Harvey andKimberly Rumfelt of Clamplight Studios :
open-studio-logo
Coming up:  Fiesta Arts Fair, April 9 and 10, 2011

Come see me!
Diana

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

2 tons!


My clay arrived Monday for the Bridge Project. Just ran a batch through the kiln...perfecto!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Getting ready for Luminaria!

I have received a stipend to organize an event for this year's Luminaria in San Antonio. From the Luminariasa.org website:


"Luminaria is San Antonio's annual celebration of art and artists. Held in March and overseen by San Antonio's creative leaders, it is free of charge and showcases all art forms in an outdoor setting and inside various venues downtown.
Luminaria spotlights San Antonio's cultural assets for local citizens and visitors alike and is made possible through the generosity of artists, arts organizations, volunteers, and public and private donations. In 2010, an estimated 200,000 people attended Luminaria."

After a some thought, and guidance that the work should have something to do with light, I decided to host a Minigama event (word play off the Japanese climbing kiln: a Anagama Kiln). I invited 8 other artists that have strong ties to the Southwest School of Art, (the anchor institution in my career) to each make a small, sculptural kiln out of clay that we will fire off during the event using small blowers and charcoal.  Over the years, I have made around 10 of these things. Sometimes I make it as a end of the year collaborative project with my students, sometimes it is a part of a class, and sometimes, I just want to play with fire! 


Here are some pics of my "Toad Kiln":



I can hardly wait to see smoke and flames coming out of its eyes, nose, and mouth!
Here is another pic of one that is firing:


The other artists that are participating are: Dennis Smith, Ryan Takaba, Jennifer Datchuck, Sara Boyd, Lyn Woods, Barbara Hill, Mark Crutsinger, and Richard Kline. Everyone did an outstanding job. The kilns are in the follwing forms: A toad, rollerskate, armadillo, catcus, dog, "hang ten hand", drag car, castle, and abstract kiln! I can hardly wait!


Come out and see us on March 12th! We will be firing them off 7-11PM and will be located between the Federal building and the Food truck area, next to the "chainsaw ice sculpture fights!???!" I guess that is a good thing, if someone gets burned we should have plenty of ice! 


Keep that wheel turning!
Diana

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Got Holes?

If you are in San Antonio and need a couple of holes, guess who you call?

Done! Kiln Room is now properly ventilated! Thanks, Holes of San Antonio!
Diana