Artist of the Week: Jeanne Quinn

Jeanne Quinn was one of the visiting artists mentioned in this post. While she was talking to my class I remember her saying, "I just like to make pretty things." It seems like a very simple statement until you see the  things she creates! Many of the pieces are very large, extremely detailed, and ornate. What stuck in my mind the most about Jeanne was how passionate she was about art, and how strongly she believed in her visions and ideas.

This is a piece called Perfect Lover. It is made with Q-tips and glazed porcelain. Each piece was meticulously placed to create a symmetrical design. 

This piece is titled A Thousand Tiny Deaths. There wasn't an artist statement, but from the pictures it seems like the black porcelain pieces are suspended by a string tied to a balloon which is holding the ceramic piece. As the balloons deflate, the ceramic pieces crash and break below. This is stunning. I LOVE the black porcelain (I'm going to look into how to color porcelain clay bodies!), and I love the concept of the exquisite pieces breaking. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to experience a piece falling!

For more information on Jeanne Quinn and her art:

American Craft Magazine interviewed Jeanne Quinn HERE

Find her website at www.JeanneQuinnStudio.com

Artist of the Week

Something I really miss about being in college was the exposure to so many fabulous artists. My school would often have guest artists visit the ceramics lab to talk about their work, their inspiration, and do demonstrations. Since graduating in 2004 I have really slacked in keeping up with ceramic artists... So, I've decided to start digging once again, and then share my results! Each week I'm going to find a ceramic artist I admire and post links and information. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!

Inspiration: Ceramic Jewelry

I am so inspired by Goldenink. Artists Abby and Kate combined their love of printmaking and ceramics to create beautiful jewelry out of porcelain. Each piece is handcrafted and meticulously painted.

Say "I love you" with ceramics

With Valentine's Day coming up I went on the search for some special ceramic items. I love receiving things that are handmade! I thought these were especially sweet.

Stepanka has some very cool cups in her Etsy shop. I love the transparency of the porcelain!

The poem pendants that Panolopy has in the shop are a great way to express how you feel. This was my favorite:

THE HUSHED WHISPER IN THINE OWN HEART

But more than all sounds,
Surer, serener,
Fuller with passion
And exultation,
Let the hushed whisper
In thine own heart say,
How I adore thee.
--Sappho, trans. Bliss Carman

 This Poem Pendant an be purchased HERE

Frost

There was ice on the inside of my bedroom window this morning when I woke up. We had blue skies and sunshine though, which made a beautiful day!
The Buddha guy is something I made when I was in school. He lives on my windowsill. I had to include clay in here somewhere!

Brrrrrr

We've had record low temperatures around here. It's been so cold that school was cancelled for two days! I remember having 'snow days' but I don't think we've ever had 'cold days'!
Even though I whine about the cold I do enjoy the beauty of winter. Tomorrow I'm going to get my camera out and take some chilly photos of my own, but in the meantime I've been enjoying these:

An adorable snow family
Icicles!
A beautiful snowy photo
Sunrise frost
Icy Bicycle