Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Creative break at Frank today

I found these doorknobs and plates last week while on an antique shopping trip with my good pal Laura Farrow. I LOVE the way these turned out. I have three more knob sets, and Laura suggested having them on a moving door, so I made one barn with a door and hinges. I'm only making one until I see if it will actually survive my firings, which we all know is a 50/50 chance since I lose a lot of my "let's try it and see if it works" pieces..... I forgot to add the screws for the photo, I'll have to shoot these again. I misjudged the shrinkage of the clay, I had made holes for the longer screws, the holes don't line up now, so I need to add some shorter ones and I'll just glue them in the holes.
I had lunch today with my good friend and mentor Deborah Harris. Once every month or so we meet at Mint in Chapel Hill, have a nice Indian buffet and catch up on kids and clay. Deb was one of the best pottery teachers I had when we moved here and she really helped me get to where I am today. She is great at teaching technique and getting you to move on to the next place, whether you think you are ready or not. Today I needed her to help me get my head together for the CDCG show, so I bought her lunch while she offered advise. I think it's important to get together with other artists and I try to have lunch with someone or grab some coffee on the weekend every week or so, just to check in and see what's going on outside of the walls of my studio. After lunch Deb and I went to FRANK, where as many of you know, because you have work there, they are having a table setting show. I didn't have my camera with me but I did buy myself this nice Shawn Ireland cup. I am a big fan of Shawn's and have a few pieces. I decided I have been working hard and I deserved a treat! It's a nice show if you haven't been. The gallery director, Barbara Rich, was very kind and gracious. I have to say, this has not been my favorite gallery to visit. I have been in and received a pretty frosty reception a few times. Today was quite different and I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, Barbara was excited about the artists she told us about, she was knowledgeable, and all was good, just the way a gallery should be! I'm glad we went, there are some really nice table settings, many of them from fellow bloggers. You should go! There are still lots of very nice pieces waiting just for you!

In other news, I got some new pieces out of the kiln today. I tried to shoot some photos, but the cat was walking all over my set up and this is the only half decent shot I was able to get, so I gave up and will try again tomorrow. Meanwhile the shelves are filling up with more barns. I made six yesterday. They are getting more and more interesting......
I'm including poetry and moving doors and mixed media and new textures.... where will it all end?! I'll try and get some photos posted by Friday.

18 comments:

cookingwithgas said...

those door knobs make me laugh and think of Jimmy Duarante! Don't ask why but they do.
Love all the bans building up and i am sure they will fly off to some great new homes.

cookingwithgas said...

barns....... and breaks are good!

Tracey Broome said...

Well, that's not quite was I was going for, but I guess they do have a little "face" to them don't they?!
They better fly of the shelve, I'm running out of space!
Yes, breaks are good, we need one soon too :)

Dennis Allen said...

Every time I think they couldn't get any better, they do.

Tracey Broome said...

Awwwww, thank you so much! Let's hope I can keep that up!

Michèle Hastings said...

ooh i really like the poetry on the barns!!!
i went Frank last year when we first moved here and they had an exhibition of NC potters- we went to the opening reception. it was a nice exhibition but haven't been back since.

Anonymous said...

hi tracey, lots going on there... love the milne quote. the door knobs look cool. good to hear your sale went well (except for the missing money).

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Love seeing the variation within the barn/house series. It's really cool to follow your line of development on these.

Laura Farrow said...

the textures on the barns looks great! and the surrealistic giant door knobs is fun too. LIKE!

Linda Starr said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tracey Broome said...

Dang, if I don't check in on my blog, I get backed up on comments! Thanks all, I'm liking the new looks too!!

imagine said...

My feelings are don't make opening doors to go with the knobs. They look fantastic as the are.
Don't turn them into "twee" gifts.

I really don't think that you need advise from anyone,
you are in a league of you own, and only you can't see it.
I love the Shawn Ireland cup, it is the most beautiful unpretentious drinking vessel I have seen in a long time.

With your own work,
"where will it end"? You are going somewhere different, you don't need any advise, others need yours.
But of course, you wouldn't see that.

I bet your husband and daughter can.

Tracey Broome said...

John, aren't you just the kindest person!? Why don't you live closer!!!
As for the "twee" gifts, you are absolutely right, and I walk a fine line there, I am always trying to be mindful of that. One of the reasons I have started making the openings less like "doors" is to avoid the inevitable birdhouse comments. I want to try one of the doorknobs with a door opening just to see how it is, but honestly the hinge thing was not much fun so don't look for many more in the future. These with the knobs will be one and onlys. I found a bag of them at an antique store for $5. Who could pass that up! However, I want them to have more religious icons, like Jesus, but Jesus stuff is hard to find around here, people in the south hold on to their Jesus things :)
re: Shawn Ireland, he is one of my favorite ever potters, I can only afford some of his work, this cup was a bargain, it is a humble and beautiful thing.
I had English Breakfast Tea in it this morning, so perfect!!!
As always, thanks for your comments and insight. I sincerely appreciate the opinions and suggestions!!!!!!

Shelley Whiting's art said...

Your pieces are very whimsical and fun. I love the pieces with the doorbells. They're very clever and playful.

Unknown said...

I love how you push your creativity and the direction you are going in. And I second the thumbs up for the poetry :)

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Shelley and Kathy, thanks so much :) :)
I think the poetry is my favorite thing so far!

Amy said...

Really like those textures on those houses.... really changes them! Still have to get to the Thai restaurant here in Southern Pines. Will let you know what I think!

Paul Jessop said...

Love the door knobs and the wording the work is looking great.