December Open Studio Schedule & Events

'Tis the season' has officially begun, and December is upon us filled with special events and studio schedule changes.

For members, please know that some 'closed' days may still have time available - if you're finishing up holiday gifts we'll work out the kiln timing to make sure you get as much through as possible.

For anyone just wanting to visit the studio, if you can't make it during the posted hours, feel free to contact me to make an appointment.

Some of our highlighted dates:

Friday, December 4, 6-9pm: Echo Gallery at Biltmore Park is having a Holiday Open House to celebrate the season and to welcome some new guest artists. I'll have a smattering of new work in the gallery, and in addition to member artists Genie Maples, Laurie McCarriar, Barbara Fisher, Susan Webb Lee, Anna Koloseike and Susan Finer, come check out the work of guest artists Heather Tinnaro, Becca Floyd, Cindy Walton, Tekla, Alex Stevens and Brian Fireman. Come for a nibble and a cuppa, and see some incredible work by some of our area's finest!

Sunday, December 6, 12-6pm: The Big Crafty is back! I'll be at a table downtown at Pack Place with other Big Crafty types, and I'll be featuring super-savings on some great holiday gift ideas that will directly benefit the recent vet bills for Lissa the Wonder Dog and Studio Mascot. Actually, just about ALL sales go directly to benefit that cause right now!

Saturday, December 12, 12-8pm: The 2nd Saturday Holiday Artist Market is happy to coincide with the 2nd East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk which is proudly joining forces with the FIRST annual Shop West Asheville event! All to say that there will be a whole lotta fun, sales and holiday festivities all through West Asheville! And at Crazy Green Studios, I'll be hosting an abbreviated 2nd Saturday Market. My guests include Gabriel Shaffer, Glasswear NC, Piece Blossom, Lady Di Creations and Renee Gaudet. We'll have a raffle, some light refreshments and general holiday cheer abounding!

All of December and a bit beyond: in Decatur, GA is having its annual Holiday Studio Sale, and if you've already gone, plan to go back as I'll be sending work down in December to join the show!

catching up...

It feels like a long time since I've made any actual musings on the blog, but never feel like there's time for musing. Glazing is done for contribution to kiln 1, bisque is cooling, meetings are done, studio has been neatened and clay is prepped for a nice session with mugs in a bit. Lissa the Wonder Dog is snoozing, blissfully hopped up on pain killers (her own catch up will accompany a picture below for those not on Facebook and following her drama) ... on that note I'd just like to say that I am filled with gratitude to be surrounded by such love and friendship, whether it's from those immediately around me or those so deeply in my life that distance makes no difference. The support, on so many levels, from so many people, has meant so much to me and I love and thank each one of you!

So I've caught up enough to pause. But now the volume of blog muse possibilities could well overwhelm me into deleting this and going back to the wedging table. But instead I think I'll just empty out the 'blog' image folder and let that be today's muse (in no particular order):

I'll start with the most recent event, which may become an ongoing blog subject. You may remember my joy at finally getting the standing kick wheel into the studio, and how much fun it was to throw bowls all afternoon on it at the Empty Bowls event. Well now it's in my studio, catching the eye of all visiting potterly types. Any curious souls are most welcome to come try the wheel, and today I've had two visitors who gamely jumped on:

Kyle Carpenter, who may well feel it tomorrow:

Lindsay Rogers, having so much fun she almost threw herself off the wheel!

This isn't everyone, but on this particular day, every studio member, including both Senior Project members, were in the studio at one time or another. The studio was filled with great creative energy!

Our newest studio member, Rebekah, making me look like a dang fine teacher, showing off the results of her first two weeks on the wheel (first two weeks ever!):

'tis the season for mugs - some new ones in the works for the Chocolate Lounge and Roots Cafe:


Senior project member Caris has been building up her wheel vocabulary. She's making aromatherapy diffusers, and has been working on the wax dish and candle holders - here she's getting ready to start on larger cylinders:

Senior project member Alex is finishing the colored porcelain/hand building portion of her project, and then will move on to the wheel:

Some recent results from the cone 7 ox kiln - studio member Matt's fun sets, some new vase forms and a few test mugs from me:

Some may not know, but Lissa the Wonder Dog has had recent health issues that resulted in a spleen-ectomy. Yesterday she had to go back in and have her stitches re-done, adding buttons to keep them closed tighter - detail shot for all those who hadn't yet heard and are no doubt thinking 'buttons?':

this shot was sent in recently for an Art House Coop project of the week - the view out one of my favorite windows, in this case not because of the view, but for the window itself:

Pause is over - back to work!

Studio Stroll

I'm pleased to join some very talented artists in exhibiting in the upcoming River District Studio Stroll at the Seven-Star Factory in Riverview Station. Hours for the Stroll are 10am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday, November 14-15. I'll be there each morning (then back to the studio to make more work!).

I'll have some fun treats for holiday shopping - some stocking stuffers, good buys for a teacher gift, office secret santa or just to have on hand in case you need something. And don't forget to treat yourself too!

Joining me at the beautiful Seven-Star Factory in Riverview Station are Jon Arsenault, Spencer Black, Kim Dills, Brian Glaze, Gary Pisano and Mike Reardon. Light refreshements will be served, and the Studio Stroll trolley comes right to the building, so park near one of the stops and enjoy the whole Stroll!

November Studio Schedule and other goings on...

...going ons? hmmmm...anyway, here's November's schedule! As always, and most likely with apologies in advance, it's subject to change:

Some tweaks to accommodate my continuing inability to clone myself. A few days off for Thanksgiving, which means I'll probably be firing unless family decides to come, then there will be additional tweaks for a firing.

Other notables not necessarily noted:

Henry is a 14 month baby boy with a rare genetic condition that causes severe immune deficiencies & anemia. He is undergoing many procedures and must be away from home with his family at Duke Children's Hospital. Henry’s treatment will take many months as well as a large expense. On November 11, the businesses listed below will contribute 11% of sales to help cover expenses connected with Henry's treatment. In addition to my diffusers that are available at the downtown Sensibilities Day Spa, I'll have a few additional pieces that will be for sale with all proceeds going to the cause. Check out the list and see how much of what you need to do can also help Henry:

Lola Salon & Gallery : Laurey's Catering : Limone's : Burgermeister's : Beans & Berries : Scully's : Salon 6478 : Sensibilities Day Spa : Samsel Architects : the L.O.F.T. : Asheville Wine Market : City Bakery : Full Circle Salon : Tressa's Jazz Bar : the Cleaning Lady : Pattie Moore, CPA : Wink Heads and Threads : Double Exposure Art : the Mellow Mushroom : the Gardener's Cottage : the Old North State : Nest Organics : Mamacitas : Mo Daddy's : Ingrid Miller, massage : Marilyn Biggers, massage : Charlotte Street Computers

Crazy Green Studios will be joining a lovely group of artists in Riverside Station for a special sale during Studio Stroll. Special specials on some great stocking stuffers, Saturday and Sunday, November 14-15.

Oh I know there's more, but I'm off to the Spookyblogapaloozananny-doo-thingy to support AHOPE and see Genie Maples' gorgeous painting find a lucky winner!

Echo Gallery: images from the opening

Last night Biltmore Park threw Echo Gallery a grand opening celebration, and it was indeed a happy event! Roux restaurant (from the Hilton) catered, and wonderful Sarah from Biltmore Park made sure everything was perfect, right down to finding a coat rack/umbrella stand for the expected arrival of many umbrellas!

It was raining, and I think all of us at Echo had moments of 'deja-vu all over again!', as we had torrential downpours at the soft open that seemed to keep many people inside and away from the gallery. Well that certainly wasn't the case last night, as our gallery was filled with people and great energy throughout the reception! The new show looks great, and it was wonderful to share it with friends, old and new. I'm still a bit gob-smacked myself, and ever so grateful to be a part of this group.

I was also thrilled that my friend Anne drove up from Atlanta for the party and brought the camera with the BIG lens, and roamed the event capturing moments. Gallery member Laurie McCarriar (MC-Carry to those in the 'hood) also covered the party with her camera, so look forward to more pictures from her. Here are a few from Anne:

Echo Gallery members: me, Susan Webb Lee, Genie Maples,
Laurie McCarriar, Barbara Fisher & Anna Koloseike

the quiet before ...

Susan Webb Lee took one of my plates home,
and came back with this gorgeous table runner
that just transformed the display!

Barbara's husband sent beautiful flowers to wish us well

starting to get crowded...

Laurie talking about her photos...


Susan & guest artist Tekla


it was incredible to have trouble getting through the
crowd in this very generous space!


more crowd fun...


Barbara & I posing in front of
Laurie's very cool photo


pots were appropriately fondled...


Laurie, with Marty & Eileen, who happily
snapped up the two new pieces behind them


it was really a very happy crowd, and fun to be with!


the rain kept on, but so did the people!


admiring work by Barbara Fisher


sculpture by Anna looks on while more patrons
admire Genie Maple's beautiful paintings


Anna with friends


guest artist Heather Tinnaro (and Tekla in the back)
working the crowd


I don't remember the what, but I remember the laugh


Sarah from Biltmore, who helped make this a great party


Barbara, with guest artist Susan Finer


Guest Artist Alex Stevens, Anna & Heather
enjoying delish treats from Roux


Genie & one of her two beautiful daughters
(both were there)


got Anne out from behind her camera for one shot!

Echo Gallery Grand Opening this Friday!

This Friday, 6-9pm. Food & drink from Roux, new work from all core artists plus some new guest artists. Come and see us!

full house at Crazy Green Studios!

It's funny to think it's only been about a week since my last post but it feels like a month has passed! Lots going on, lots to come, but I just had to stop and take a moment to celebrate the great energy my studio members bring to the studio. I'm officially 'full' at the moment, with four studio members and two special members working on their Senior Project.

Katie H. is the newest addition, but in fact she's also one of the oldest members. Katie was with me almost from the beginning of my open studio membership and was one of my former students in at Odyssey. When she's not here, she's doing incredible work with Mountin' Hopes therapeutic riding center. As a matter of fact, it was the intensity and passion she has for her work that had her staying round the clock with a sick horse last March, which turned into pneumonia, which turned into severe injuries from coughing and over SIX months off the pottery wheel! But she's back, and even back on the kick wheel, and we're so glad to welcome her back to the fold!

Katie H, back at the kick wheel!

Our other Katie also had to take a month or so off, but is now back working on mugs for the holiday season. Helen is starting to try teapot forms, and Matt has ventured into plates. They all bring great energy, good ideas and much needed balance to my crazy schedule, and I'm so grateful to have them here!

a lovely bowl and small plate by Matt


a fun mug Katie S did this summer -
her new forms are really cool and will be
featured in another post

Helen, selling her wares at 2nd Saturday Artist Market
teapots are drying in pieces on the shelf now...

My senior project students, Alex and Caris, are also doing great. Alex and I will be working with the colored porcelain soon, and Caris is showing a very natural touch on the wheel. I have no doubt they'll end up with beautiful work for the project, and I'll have learned just as much from them.

Caris, showing her stuff after just
two sessions on the wheel!


Alex's test piece - consider it the black & white
version - the project version will use colored porcelain

Rounding out the full house is studio assistant Brittany, who keeps us well stocked in pugged clay but still needs to find more time to do her own work - if she sees this perhaps we'll get her in on the wheel!

our goal: to get a shot of her at the wheel!

Very happy to have people and pots bursting at the seams at Crazy Green!