Sunday, December 13, 2009

November Meeting Notes

at the St. Augustine Fall Festival

Wow!
There has been the St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival, Empty Bowls, the sale at the Arboretum, new shirts, banners, and more.

Here's what happened at our November meeting
We met at Marcia's house on Sunday November 15th.
We finalized our plans for the Empty Bowls Luncheon.
We talked about the St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival.
We made a decision to donate $350.00, in remembrance of our friend and former President Jo Nell. Her church, Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, will receive our gift.

We got our new Clay Network T-shirts! They look great! There are some extras, so if you would like to have one they are $20.00. The Clay Network banners are ready to display at our upcoming events and they are bold and beautiful.

Jennelle, sent us information about “Art & About” in Orange Park on April 24th. Submit your application by Jan. 24th.
Mary Ellen requested donations for Habitat for Humanity.
More information about these events has been posted on the side under “Opportunities”.

Don't forget that Dues are due in January. For 2010, they will be $25, or $40 for a couple.

Marcia showed her “photo cube”.
She uses 60w daylight florescent bulbs, and rip stop nylon, to make the light diffusing side panels and top. Foam core is cut to make the frame. She has some high quality paper for the backdrop. Please let Marcia know if you want to make your own, she will be glad to advise you. She would like to sell her extra backdrop paper.

You are invited to bring your clay art and camera to the next meeting to make high quality photos after the meeting.

Mary Ellen asked about the seaweed sagger firing. Margaret will collect seaweed to dry.

There was discussion regarding next year's officers. Mary Ellen will lead the nominating committee.
Please let her know if you are interested in a board position, or if you would like to nominate someone.

Our Program featured Randy our web Master. He showed us the “under construction” web site he is preparing for us. The new Clay Network web site will give us space to display our Member's Gallery pictures, and other content, with the newsletter incorporated (linked) as an important part of that site. We won't have two separate sites when this is done. It will be one. One address to access everything. This Malleable Times Newsletter will be accessed by clicking the Newsletter button on the menu.
If you have ideas for the structure of the site, or photos of your work for the Member's Gallery, please contact Marcia. She will pass along the CDs or other information to Randy.

Some members took the opportunity to photograph their work with Marcia's Photo Cube.
We all enjoyed a delicious pot luck meal, and good conversation.


A big "THANK YOU" to Wild Ginger Studios for donating clay for our demonstrations at the art festival!

More photos from the St. Augustine Fall Art & Craft Festival














Friday, November 20, 2009

Empty Bowls November 17th, 2009


Clay Network was happy to participate in the 25th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. Our bowls were sold to support the food bank.




















Sunday, November 15, 2009

Fall Art & Craft Festival


Clay Network will be at the At. Augustine Art Association's
FALL ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL
"A Thanksgiving Weekend Tradition"
Saturday & Sunday, November 28 & 29, 10am to 5pm

Clay Network members will present wheel throwing demonstrations, and our handmade pottery work will be for sale. Please come for the fun, and find some great art for gift giving, or for your own home.

See the works of over 150 top artists from across the country displaying painting, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, photography, fiber arts, glass and a variety of 2D & 3D works. Great food; KidZone; Festival Paint Out; Entertainment; Art Demos; Prizes and more. Enjoy beautiful Nights of Lights in historic downtown St. Augustine!

For directions and more check the STAAA web site:
http://www.staaa.org/festival.html


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Saturday, November 7, 2009

A Note From the C.N. President

Details from Marcia's platter

A Note from Marcia

Public awareness is growing thanks to the hard work of Pat Robey and Marilyn Smart as all those attending the Empty Bowls event at the Prime Osborne Center this November 17th will be introduced to Clay Network. Displayed and featured separately from the general Empty Bowls collection, event attendees will be able to purchase donated pots made by Network members and treated to live demonstrations. To help support the Empty Bowls Project, Ken Stutes, owner of Avondale Artworks, is featuring a selection of Clay Network bowls (complete with Network signage and artist credit) in his gallery right up to event time. What a bonus for our membership!

As an organization, Clay Network is heading in the right direction. Membership and meeting attendance is increasing. Workshops held at our bi-monthly meetings are met with great enthusiasm and, as always, the camaraderie at pot luck time is filled with lively conversation and sharing of ideas. As we head toward Thanksgiving time, a number of members are working to fill the Clay Network booth with a wide variety of handcrafted works in clay just in time for the holiday gift giving season! What a wonderful way to end the year.

See you all at the November meeting.

Marcia

Side note: Throughout this hectic period, I ask that each member keep long time CN members Katy and Mike McIntire in their thoughts and prayers.

Katy and Mike,

Speaking for the general membership, our condolences on the loss of your daughter.

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We want to remind you to come out to the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens First Anniversary Celebration, on Saturday November 14th from 10am-4pm. Some of our Clay Network members will be there selling outdoor garden pottery.

The Empty Bowls Luncheon is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 17., please remember to get your donations to Pat or Marilyn before then. You can bring your bowls to the meeting if you haven't already delivered them.

November 28 & 29 is the Fall Art & Craft Festival,
St. Augustine's Premier Art Festival. Mark your calendars! Held Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 28 & 29. Clay Network will be there with throwing demos and sales of our beautiful pottery.

We will have our new Clay Network t-shirts at the upcoming meeting, Sunday, Nov. 15th! If you ordered one please remember your $20. If you have not ordered one, we will have a few extras for sale.

Directions to the meeting will be e-mailed directly to members soon. If you are not on our e-mail list please contact us for directions. Our meetings are open to all and you are invited.

We will be meeting in the Arlington area of Jacksonville, at Marcia's home.Our program will feature our web master, Randy, demonstrating the new Clay Network web site.As always, we will finish up the meeting with our fun and friendly potluck meal.

Please come and see your Clay Network friends.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

September Meeting Summary

Pat's pottery using slip transfer method

On Sunday, September 20th, 2009,Clay Network was happy to meet at Wild Ginger Studios in lovely Green Cove Springs.Thank you to AJ and Karen for welcoming us to their clean and very well equipped clay facilities.


Our Clay Network banner will be printed soon. We will add .com to our name on the banner.

Christie spoke about Clay Network doing the St Augustine Fall Festival as a group. It is a perfect opportunity for those just getting started, who aren't ready to do a solo show. It is also good for those who don't do shows anymore but like to do something occasionally. She encouraged everyone to participate, if not in this event, then to prepare to join in the next.We will be dividing the fees of $225 and we will pay a small (10%) commission to our Clay Network on our sales.Clay Network will provide the tent, shelves, and we have the “tax number” to handle sales properly.We will have our booth at the end of a row this time. That will give us plenty of room for our demonstrations and for the crowds that love to watch us make the clay dance.

Clay Network is happy to participate in the 25th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, from noon – 1 p.m., at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. We will have our own table, with our Clay Network banner displayed. Our bowls will be sold to raise funds to support the food bank. We will also have a wheel to demonstrate throwing. All members are encouraged to donate for this worthy cause. Last year more than 1,200 people attended and the event raised over $75,000 for the Food Bank. We hope folks see the Clay Network name and get used to associating our group with fine clay works. There will also be a silent auction held, if you would like, you may donate a piece for that too.Pat and Marilyn are coordinating our participation in this event. Details and contact information has been emailed to members and friends.

Margaret will be collecting seaweed, as there is a good deal washing up at the beach behind her home now. Many members expressed interest in planning a sagger or pit firing workshop using seaweed, salt, copper, steel wool, cotton and various other ingredients to fire burnished low fired pots.

Marcia has made a “photo cube” from foam board. She will provide the opportunity for us to use her set up. We can all have nice pictures for our gallery pages on the up coming Clay Network web site.

The Clay Network will participate in the 2009 Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens First Anniversary Celebration. The event will be held Saturday November 14th from 10am-4pm. We will be selling our garden art and pottery. Set up will begin at 8:30am and we will begin packing up at 4pm. You can visit http://www.jacksonvillearboretum.org/ for more information about the park. The celebration is covered under “things to do”. To participate in the sale, with the Clay Network, please contact Marcia.


Jane invited members to join her at the Unity Church on Race Track Rd. for a crafts sale Saturday, October 24th, from 10am-4pm. An outdoor space of 12 x 12 is $25, an indoor space of 10 x 10 is $35. 15% commission on sales will be donated to the church. Please contact Jane if you would like to participate with her.

The Women's center of Jacksonville, and the St. Augustine Art Association also have a few upcoming events that they want us to know about. (Those items, and information about a workshop, have been posted under “opportunities in our area”. Please check the right side bar.)


Our next meeting will be held at 2pm on Sunday, November 15th at Marcia's home in the Arlington area of Jacksonville.

Program

AJ and Pat demonstrated a creative slip application method.

AJ began by brushing colored slip on newspaper, then carefully laying the paper, slip side down, on a prepared slab. She rubbed with her hand, and rolled the back of the paper with a “pony roller”. Then, carefully peeling back the newspaper, an irregular layer of colored slip was left on the clay. We learned that the slip she uses is colored with 20, 30, or up to 40% Mason Stains. She advised us to use another piece of newspaper to “blot” between applications. Next She added texture with a piece of netting. Then AJ trailed slip on a newspaper and waved it to dry “just until the shine goes off it”. She applied this to the slab as before. The layers of color and texture were built up a step at a time.

Pat showed us how to use a paintbrush handle to “write”on the backside of the slip coated paper. She uses stencils too. She noted that the stencils should be rolled into the clay well, so that the clay is pushing up through the openings. If slip is then applied with the paper, you get a “light effect” if you brush colored slip directly on the clay, you can get a darker, or more pronounced effect.

The “flinging” technique can be used to stretch the slab. The applied patterns will stretch too. Texture can be added with stamps, texture “sheets”, rollers, and stencils from craft stores, and with all types of “found” items. As she demonstrated, Pat's slab became rich in colors, textures and designs. So many possibilities!

What a wonderful demonstration! We all came away with great ideas to incorporate in our art.

Thank you AJ and Pat. You explained every step very well, and the beautiful pieces on display were quite inspirational.


A bountiful potluck meal was enjoyed by all as we chatted with our new members and friends.

If you have questions about any of the events, and do not know where to call, Lisa will be happy to put you in touch. (stixandstonz@hotmail.com).


































Thursday, September 10, 2009

Next Meeting September 20th

Tim Bullard at the Riverside Arts Market

The St. Augustine Art Association seeks "Touchable Art"

The St. Augustine Art Association invites artists to submit "touchable" works of art into the 8th Annual Tactile Art Show, held Oct. 4 through 28. Artwork will be received on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, from noon to 7p.m. in the Main Gallery at 22 Marine Street. Entry fee is $15 per piece for StAAA members and $35 per piece for non-members. Artists may enter up to three works in any medium or subject matter.

The exhibit is part of the International Art Beyond Sight Awareness Month celebrated at such venues at the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Students from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind will prepare Braille labels for each entry.

Monetary prize awards, including the "Nancy Crisp-Ellert Memorial for Best Fiber Art," will be presented at the Opening Reception on Sunday, Oct. 4th from 2 to 5 p.m. A preview of the show will be open to the public during the First Friday Art Walk, Oct. 2. For information, call the St. Augustine Art Association at (940) 824-2310.

CONTACT: Elyse Brady
St. Augustine Art Association
22 Marine Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-2310


We are preparing for the next Clay Network meeting.


Please join us at Wild Ginger Studios in Green Cove Springs, on Sunday the 20th of September. We will begin our business meeting at 2pm.

Hot topics we will discuss include the Fall St. Augustine Art and Craft Festival. Clay Network will be there, November 28th and 29th, selling and demonstrating.
Margaret is already at work organizing for this show. Please contact her by September 20th to be included in the sale.
(Contact Lisa at stixandstonz@hotmail.com if you don't have Margaret's phone number or email address.)
Empty Bowls, the Riverside Arts Market, and some new opportunities will also be on the meeting's agenda.
Your participation and ideas are important to keep the Clay Network strong and growing.

After the business, we will enjoy a program "Techniques with Colored Slip".
AJ and Pat will demonstrate various techniques using colored slips. One of these is a transfer method with newspaper. An extension of this uses stamps and texture materials.
Come and learn something new that can be used to decorate and embellish your hand built or wheel thrown creations.

We will then enjoy a potluck meal and socializing with our clay friends.

I hope you can come we would all love to see YOU.

Clay Network has a clay art exhibit now on display at the Mandarin Regional Library. Please take a look if you are in the area. It will be there for the month of September.


A Note From Marcia

As most of you already know, former CN President Jonell Thatcher passed away July 29. Never one to accept defeat in any manner, Jonell’s long term battle with cancer never conquered her spirit, her laughter or determination. A simple look at the whimsical pottery she created tells her story and will continue to do so for all those fortunate enough to remember the person and the artist. She will be deeply missed.

Work progresses on the website. All that remains to complete the project are digital images from our membership. A number of members gathered for a photography session a short while back so we are well on our way to reaching that goal. As a reminder, the member’s on-line gallery will provide an outlet for each member to display their work, provide a contact link (if you desire), artist statement, or link your images to a personal website. This online gallery is open to all members from students to professionals and hobbyists to full time potters. Please contact me if you need additional information, have questions or need guidance photographing your work.

The Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens will host a First Anniversary Event on Saturday, November 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the arboretum. Last year's Grand Opening event was attended by approximately 600 people and attendance is expected to be greater this year. The event will feature great food, live music; guided nature walks with local biologists and naturalists, kids' activities, plant vendors, storytellers and craft booths. This event is free to the public. The coordinator of the craft event is looking for artist vendors who work within the “garden” nature theme. Each booth space costs $50, and each vendor is responsible for their own set-up. ClayNetwork will need to limit the number of members to no more than six and the vendor booth fee will be divided by the number of artists involved. Again, the tent, tables and shelves will be made available at no cost. So, if your work includes garden oriented work, consider taking part in this one day event….Christmas is around the corner! Contact me immediately if you have an interest.

Until the next time…

Marcia
Scheeterjm@aol.com



Monday, August 3, 2009

July Meeting Summary

Photography workshop

The Clay Network's July meeting was held on Sunday the 19th.

If you could not be there... here's what you missed.


The Clay Network library exhibits for May, and July, have been well received.Those members who have not yet participated can join the next exhibit at the Mandarin Branch Library for September. Please contact Christie.

Our members will donate to the Empty Bowls fund raiser to be held November 17th at the Prime Osborn Center. Marilyn and Pat will co-chair this endeavor. This will be the 25th anniversary of the empty Bowls event. We may want to try to reference this milestone in the design of our donated bowls. We will also demonstrate during the fund raiser. Everyone likes to see us working with the clay, almost as much as we enjoy doing it!

We will have a booth at the St. Augustine Fall Art and Craft festival, November 28th, and 29th.We will be selling as well as demonstrating. The cost of the booth, and the duties, will be divided by the members who wish to participate. Please contact Margaret by September 15th if you want to be a part of the fun. Clay Network has purchased large, sturdy, display shelves, as well as the tent.

Whether you have lots to sell, or just a few pots, this is a great way to get your work out there without a large individual investment.

What a great benefit for our members!


Our web site design is coming along. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the members gallery. Up to 12 photos will be displayed per person, as well as links to your own web sites and any other contact information you may wish to include.


Our next meeting will be held Sunday, September 20th. The business meeting was followed by a very special program.

Program

How To Photograph Your Work- presented by guest artist Vina Schemer.

Some important tips from Vina:

Everyone should get to know their camera by reading the owner's manual.

She taught us how to use a fabric or paper backdrop, and how to make a simple hanger for the backdrop.

Vina recommends a resolution of at least 300 dpi for your pictures.

Using natural light outdoors is fine, but direct sun is not. Look for a shaded spot.

Tripods can be used to hold lights. The lights with the clamp work well.

A “spatter screen" can soften the light.

A poster board or foil can be used as a reflector to "bounce light”.

Vina advised us to view our pictures on the computer before dismantling the set.

Sometimes a vertical shot is preferable for publications.

Photoshop or other software can be used to lighten or darken your images.

Iprintfromhome.com can make slides for you if you need them.

With Vina's help, members were able to take some beautiful photos of their pottery.


It was a wonderful, educational presentation. Thank you Vina!


Refreshments were enjoyed as we finished the gathering.

Thank you Karen, for inviting us to your home.





















Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Native American Pottery Lecture

An invitation from Jennelle Comiskey:

The Clay Arts Guild and Village Gallery & Framing would like to invite you to the
First of Many Lecture Series

Claude W. Bass, III Presents a lecture on Native American Pottery
Tuesday, July 28th, 6pm at the Village Gallery & Framing
358B Stiles Ave. Orange Park 32073

Please join us for an evening of lecture and libation

Please email jennellecomiskey@gmail.com or call Debbie Derbonne 264-7151 to reserve your spot!
(only 30 spots available!!!)

We are asking for a $5 donation to cover venue expenses and to raise funds for the Clay Arts Guild Lecture Series

Claude W. Bass, III
Biography
For the past 7 years, he has run the Clay County Archives and Historical Resource Center which is located in the 1894 County Jail. His title is Deputy Clerk, County Archivist, and County Historian, but he likes Claude the best.
Resident of Clay County for 42 years.
Operated a commercial photography studio for 47 years in Texas and Orange Park (specializing in forensic science). Also taught forensic photography at the Georgia Police Academy in Atlanta. While teaching, Claude discovered that the search for history was amazingly similar to working in the field of forensic science.
Has had a life-long interest in history.
Has 2 sons: Claude IV who is a jazz bass musician in Jacksonville and who works throughout the Southeast; Eric Bass – graduate of Duke University, who works in Scottsdale, Az. as a financial adviser.
Hobbies: History, Antiques, & Native American Culture
About 7 years ago on his first visit to Navajo Nation and other pueblos he starting buying pottery and listening to the Navajo and other Native Americans tell stories about the pottery and other crafts. “The key to learning the Navajo Way is listening. Ask a simple question and listen.”
Claude’s pottery collecting goes back to his first 1970’s photography studio in Orange Park. It had a small art gallery that contained artworks of local artists like Tony Charneco and clay artist, Charlie Brown.
His office walls are covered with Native American art and the shelves lined with pottery. He works for the Clay County Clerk of the Court, James Jett, and also owns a Native American jewelry and pottery business. It has locations around north Florida, Orange Park, St Augustine, Fernandina Beach, and St Mary’s, Gerogia.
Clay County Archives
904/371-0027 or 284-2386

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Exhibit at Regency Square Regional Library

On exhibit at Regency Square Regional Library

I hope everyone enjoyed a fun Independence Day,
with fireworks, and plenty of watermelon.

When you finish up the hot dogs and apple pie,
go see our exhibit at the Regency Square Regional Library.
It is located at: 9900 Regency Square Blvd, Jacksonville.

The Clay Network display will remain throughout the month of July.

Please make plans to attend our next meeting coming up July 19th.
This time we will be in Mandarin.
We will be discussing sale and show opportunities for you
and your art work.

The July program is sure to be one of the best ever.
Please bring your digital camera and a piece to photograph.
Learn techniques from professional artist, Vina Schimmer,
to make quality images of your best art work.

Then, we invite everyone to stay for a potluck meal!
Meet, greet, discuss, and share tips with other clay friends.

Watch for an e-mail with directions and more details,
coming to members and friends soon.
If you are not yet a member please contact us for directions
to this fun event.

YOU ARE INVITED.
Our meetings are always open to all.