Blog....What Blog?

Woah....blog, what blog? I know it has been quite a while since I have posted anything. I have been very busy stretching some new muscles this year. I have been working as the Chairperson for the Western Loudoun Artist Studio Tour Planning Committee and also trying to get my rear end to yoga class. So working all kinds of new muscles - administrative and otherwise!!  I am still working on making pots every day, and find I am oddly more productive the busier I am. I am not "cranking" out the work, but what I do make, I am happier with - Amen! So I will sign off after this short burt sweet post and I hope to see you in June for the 10th anniversary of the Western Loudoun Artists Studio Tour - WHOOT! I am priveledged to be the guest again at Garden Corner Studios, the sweet studio of amazing artist, Jill Evans-Kavaldjian. We have some fun dual demos planned for this year that combine our two processes and forms of art. Hope to see you June 20-21st!

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Busy Time of Year!

I am taking a quick break between my making and glazing cycle to post. I havent posted in FOREVER!

We had an awesome summer and now I find myself caught up in the mad dash to get ready for the Fall and Holiday Shows.

I hope to see you all at one or the several upcoming shows:

November 1

The Western Loudoun Art and Wine Celebration
North Gate Vineyard
http://northgatevineyard.com
Purcellville, VA

November 15 & 16
The Catoctin Holiday Art Tour
Stop #1 - Art at Garden Corner
www.catoctinart.com



Ok...back to work, see you soon I hope -PEACE!

Art and Remembrance - Atlanta Taboo Artists Group

I watched "Dallas Buyers Club" last night. I texted my friend Jeff and took a trip down memory lane: Atlanta, GA circa early '90's. 

My first piece of art was purchased at The Trinity Gallery. It is a David Fraley textured face. It was the first piece of art that spoke to me. I visited this painting often, I could not walk away from this painting for very long - It was so far out of my league ($) but it haunted me!

A weekend acquaintence, sometimes dance partner and gallery assistant - Shey- ended up working out a deal where I could buy the painting on an installment plan. He brought the painting to me personally and hung it in my little Ansley Park condo! I made those payments FOREVER and eventually owned my first TABOO artist painting thanks to the generosity of this sweet guy. I later looked back and realized he had actually bought it himself and let me make the payments to him- literally a sweet and generous heart in the world. I quit hearing from Shey kind of suddenly, but this was Atlanta, we were young-that happened.

Fast forward, I settled down a bit, met my future husband, and made a few less trips downtown. I found out through the grapevine that Shey had died of Aids. I was floored-I grieved-it was my first loss to this disease. But, this was Atlanta, we were young-that happened. There were fortunately only a few other such losses in my orbit - I was lucky, my friends were safe. But there were so many other losses in that city. I found out in fact that the artist himself succumbed to Aids as well in 1999.

This painting hangs in a prominent place in our home reminding me always of a wonderful time in my life, but also of the generosity of a sweet man, and of the effect of Aids on a generation. I am reminded that I was surrounded and supported by a wonderful group of friends: Jeff Daily, Mike Knoll, John VanVlack, Rosalia Milone and also by sweet, generous acquaintances.

God bless those we lost-they haunt me and live on through this painting!

Creative Loafing Article

Hi folks, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

 I wanted to post a quick note about an amazing project I just finished. I had posted a "Pottery in Action" challenge on Facebook. It read something to this effect:

 "Do you have a piece of Amy Manson Pottery? If you do, snap a quick photo of it "in action". Post it on this status as a comment and I will pick randomly from the posts and give the winning name a Stoneware Chicken Roaster for the Holidays!!! I love to see how folks are utilizing my pots and I thought this might be fun!"

Well, the response was a lot of fun, I had photos of chicken roasters in use, mugs, casseroles, and more from clients around the country. It was great to see the pots in action and realize that the work that I make does in fact become part of folks everyday life as well as family traditions.

So the REALLY FUN part happened today when I pulled the names out of a bowl (rather than a hat). The winner was a client from Maine. She messaged me with her address and told me that I had made her day.

In fact, this client shared that she has wanted a roaster for quite some time, but has been out of work due to health problems and has not been able to afford one.

Well,  let me tell you, she has made my day and quite frankly my entire holiday season by sharing her story. I am humbled and amazed by how something I create can make its way into such deserving hands.

Peace.

www.amymansonpottery.com

Bill Van Gilder Workshop!

I am very excited to head a just a few miles north this weeked to attend a workshop given by my instructor and friend, Bill Van Gilder. I have been taking classes with Bill for the last couple of years. I had to take a break this past year due to - well - life! But I am very pleased to be able to attend this weekend as Bill is closing the Frederick Pottery School in June.

But I get ahead of myself...

Let's go back a about 10 years ago...I had a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I dearly needed to find "something" to do outside of the house. I took a beginner pottery class with a friend who persuaded me to go. I  immediately found the challenge and the peaceful quiet studio an attraction. I was hooked for good!

I started taking classes at a larger local Clay Center - Clayworks Charlotte, and had the honor of learning from some GREAT young and talented artists. Amy Sanders, Julie Wiggins, Jen Mecca, Adreinne Dellinger, Greg Scott and Ron Philbeck.  I jostled back and forth between instructors each session as I had to work around sick children, and my husband's work and travel schedule.

Many times, my babysitting would not  pan out, or a sick child, or - life- would happen and I would have to miss class.  My frustration level was high, because I could not learn fast enough. I wanted to take it all in.

One afternoon, after laying the kids down for nap, I stumbled upon a pottery instruction show on DIY Network. The instructor was Bill Van Gilder and I about cried - I could actually learn right from my living room - kids, sickness, chores, and all!

I found Bill's instruction clear, concise, and super insighful.  I watched these shows religiously and was so thankful for the opportunity to learn in this forum from my home. Remember, this was before YouTube, Facebook, Etc. - Bill and DIY really pioneered this whole pottery video concept.

Each week, I looked for this show and watched and learned- babies in tow.  I imagined his studio up in the "North East, perhaps Vermont - somewhere in New England.  I dreamed of having a studio like his one day and how woderful it would be to be a full time potter.

Well, fast forward about 8 years. My family had moved to Northern Virginia. I had moved my pottery studio from Charlotte to Leesburg, VA and I was working on settling into the community.  I was actually teaching by this point and selling my work in a few small shops and galleries.

I heard of a new gallery opening in Leesburg - The Cooley Gallery. I dropped in one evening right before the grand opening and this cool kid (Chris) said hello and told me about his gallery. He said, by the way, Bill here is one of our artists - meet Bill Van Gilder.

I about had a heart attack...I was staring at my "virtual" mentor live and in person. After I collected myself (embarrassingly not very quickly)  I found out his studio was a short distance away up in Gapland, Maryland and that there was a few rare openings in his class in Frederick by chance.

So for the last few years, I have travelled up to Maryland once a week to learn in person from the instructor I followed so closely on DIY Network. I have learned a lot from Bill, about pottery, about business, about life in general. I have met a super group of friends from his class and it has been a wonderful experience.

I am taking his workshop this weekend, excited to catch up with the latest work Bill is creating, and to be reminded of his amazing wealth of knowledge, but more importantly his willingness to share it with the world -whether on TV or live and in person!

WHOOOT! Did anyone hear the cry of joy coming from Leesburg? It was me - I admit! I have been experimenting with this Growler and truly had no idea how to approach the topper. These two bad boys were my first experiments. I pulled them out of the kiln today and one worked and the other did not. The great news is now I have it figured out for upcoming  pieces.  I know this sounds so silly, but it is exactly why I am having so much fun in the studio these days...experimenting, playing, HAVING FUN! I will have these guys and few others at the 2013 Western Loudoun Studio Tour!!!

Is it the end of May already? Wow where has the time gone...well I know I have been busy in the studio getting ready for the Western Loudoun Artist Studio Tour. It is a few weeks away  on June 22 & 23rd. I never feel ready, but I have a lot of new work to show off this year. I have been hunkered down, working on several new techniques and really pushing myself with glazing. I have had some really nice results (and a few oops) but it has been a year of exploration and I am super happy and excited about the direction my work is going.  I am going to make this short and sweet - I have to get back to the studio - but I hope to see you in June. I am thrilled to be the guest artist of Jill Evans-Kavaldjian at her amazing studio Art at Garden Corner. Come up to see us!

Happy New Year! I have been taking my time getting started back to work this year. I have been using the down time in January to:

·       -Recover from the busy holiday season

·       -Help my husband recuperate from surgery

·       -Take time to have a good old fashioned cold  and baby myself completely, and

·       -takes notes, write down ideas and sketch

It has been a nice luxury, minus the coughs and fever.

I am excited to get back into the studio and put some of these ideas into action. I just loaded a kiln full of test tiles and experiments. I am as excited as I was when I fired my first pot 10 years ago!

I promised myself to sit down today and write for the blog  – something I had no time for October – December.  Right before I sat down, I read a Facebook Post from an old instructor of mine from Charlotte North Carolina. Ron Philbeck posted to the effect, he would love to make bakeware that folks use at home everyday, casseroles, mugs, bakers etc.  He commented on the “repetitive “ nature of such work and how some would find this boring or monotonous.  His parting comment, was that it would not have to be that way.

It got me thinking about the work that I have been doing and what I want to do in 2013.  I do enjoy greatly making work that is used in everyday life.  Pieces that  not only invite use, but demand it!  Everyday bake ware, crocks, mugs, chicken roasters, platters and such that folks will use in their daily kitchen routines. I find great joy in making these useful, functional pieces. Pieces that become part of family traditions, celebrations and nightly meals. 

I think I will always make such pieces because of my own love of cooking and my ongoing goal of having all handmade ceramic work in my kitchen.  I have to admit though, that come September - December of any given year….I have been known to say, “If I make another Chicken/Veggie Roaster, I may slit my wrists!”  I admit that I do tire after just so many. 

That being said, I agree with Ron’s comments. It does not have to get monotonous.  I find that this time of the  new year, I am so excited for the possibilities, the new ideas, the new glaze combinations and new forms to make.

My plan is to keep with some of my basic forms, but explore new shapes, handles, surface treatments, and glaze combinations.  I love this art form so much because literally the possibilities are endless.   I do want to explore some more decorative treatments and sculpture this year, but it all can be applied the basic functional forms that I love to make as well. 

So off I go back to the studio, to explore, create, learn and express myself in new and exciting ways for 2013!

Hope to see you around to discover how it all turns out!

LOL...my page got hijacked by my 12 year old daughter

Sorry guys...I am not forever young, and I am not so much into grunge clothing these days!!! My 12 year old is blogging and somehow posted some of her posts on my page!

Dispatches from the Potomac!

Great post from my new buddy Ed Felker!

Super Bowl Challenge 2012

Happy New Year! Just wanted to touch base and let you know about a fun project that my ArtSquare hand building class is taking part in. It is called The Super Bowl Challenge


The SBC 2012 was created by metalsmith Wendy Edsall-Kerwin. She makes amazing metal artwork: bowls, jewelry, wall pieces and more! Her work is beautiful and we used one of her bowls as our "inspiration" piece in our Tuesday morning class. The challenge was two part: 1. make a bowl for the SBC and 2. translating Wendy's inspiration piece into clay. I will keep you posted with photos of the finished products! Lots of fun and experimentation!

You can find more information about Wendy Edsall-Kerwin at
http://www.hammerstrokeandfire.com/

and more information about ArtSquare Ceramics Classes at:
http://www.loudounacademy.org/ceramics_new.html

Work Play Work

WORK WORK WORK! Getting ready for the Catoctin Holiday Art Tour and trying to replenish my inventory from a couple of great Fall Sales this season. I am so thankful for such wonderful supporters of my work and mostly I am thankful that I have the "privilege" to work at what I love! Ok...short but sweet, I must get back to the wheel! Pictures to follow!

Catoctin Holiday Art Tour

So jazzed! We had our first meeting to organize the Catoctin Holiday Art Tour. It is going to be November 12th & 13th and will feature wonderful artwork in multilpe mediums: Painting, pottery, jewelry, photography fiber, and much more! I will be back "North of 9" at Art At Garden Corner Studio. This area "North of 9" in the lovely rolling hills of the Catoctin Mountains is a hot bed of artist talent. The tour will be an excellent way to shop and buy local art for the holidays, but also to see the studios of the participating artists. Bring your camera and be ready to enjoy a day of touring, shopping, wine tasting and more!

The website is under construction, and you can find us on Facebook!



https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catoctin-Holiday-Art-Tour/255452404487998

Hand building Classes this Fall!!!

Alrighty! It is that time of year and I am getting really excited to teach my Handbuilding classes this Fall!

Most people have no idea what hand building with clay means. They think it's something reserved only for 'artist'. Or, they think it's limited to sculpture and anatomy.

All of the 'Paint your own pottery' shops have confused the public to what the word 'pottery' and 'ceramics' truly stand for. Paint your own pottery is nothing more than glazing a 'fired' piece of clay from a mold. It leaves little to the imagination other than choosing a color and painting someone else's idea. The joy discovered with creating your own ceramic work of art is so rewarding. Whether you're 6 or 85 years of age, IT'S FUN!

Hand building is one of the greatest pleasures in working with clay. You don't have the technical demands of the pottery wheel, which can be quite unforgiving to some who try it. We show you how to take a simple slab of clay, drape it over, under, or within a form, and instant success. The rest of the process is left up to each person's creative imagination. Supplied are multiple texturing tools, stencils, books, and other treats which assist you with a playful creative expression.

You can come and unwind, sit quietly or share laughs with other students while creating your art. The choices are endless. You will be assisted with working with multiple techniques such as coiling, slab roller, extruder, molds, and some serious glazing options.

Come play with me at Loudoun Academy of Art, ArtSquare this Fall on Tuesdays from 10-1pm...Starting September 6th!!!

http://www.loudounacademy.org/ceramics_new.html

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Amy-Manson-Pottery-at-ArtSquare.html?soid=1106246342636&aid=85gah9TPYbI

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Amy-Manson-Pottery-at-ArtSquare.html?soid=1106246342636&aid=85gah9TPYbI


So Excited to be the guest artist at ArtSquare in Leesburg for the month of July! Come on out, it is a great day trip to see all the resident artist studios and their great work!

2011 Western Loudoun Studio Tour

Well I am coming up short on words to describe this past weekend. It was absolutely amazing! I was a guest artist on the WLAST tour and my host was Art At Garden Corner Studio. Jill Evans-Kavaldjian is a talented print maker and painter and basically a really good bean! I had so much fun preparing and working with Jill and I cannot thank her enough!

The tour started Saturday AM and it was so wonderful to meet so many people and talk about and share my pottery with others. I had such great conversations and had fun seeing people get excited about all the amazing talent in this county! We had a steady stream of people all day and it just flew by! Art At Garden Corner is an idyllic setting and folks were so pleased to see the great art but also walk through the gardens and enjoy the beauty of the setting!

I actually had to come home and pack up some more work to bring on Sunday! Sunday started a little more slowly so we had a nice chance to ease into day 2. We needed it because we proceeded to get slammed with people early afternoon. We had such an interesting crowd and we met some great folks. We had a couple from Connecticut and another from New York. I met a ton of talented people actually from right there in Lovettsville. Chris Cooley, a Washington Redskin Player and potter dropped in and he was so nice.

It was truly just an outstanding day and I am so thankful to share my work and ideas and thoughts with so many people! I think Jill and I thought of a 100 new ideas to work on and I am so excited to get back to the studio and fill my orders and get cracking again!

But I have to admit, today I think I am going to rest!!!

Thank you all who came out on the tour and thank you for supporting local art. Last but not least, thank you to the WLAST committee for all of their hard work and support!

Super Busy

Whew...it has been a LONG time since I have posted. I have been very busy preparing fo the Western Loudoun Studio Tour. It is fast approaching and then I have a couple of summer shows following. I have been trying to get my etsy shop up and going and stocked as well. The last few months have been a whirl wind of creating work and firing, glazing, etc. I have really had to look at my studio space with a critical eye and get more organized in my studio practices. Watch out...one day you walk into the studio and realize your are DOING THIS FULL TIME! I have dreamed and worked and worked, and seem to have lifted my head up to realize this is it! It is an amazing feeling to be doing what I love and making a "go" of it! I am definitely still working out the kinks...trying to manage my teaching vs. creating schedule, and keeping Joel and the girls on the front burner!

Wish me luck!!!

Spring Bling

Whew! I have been running the kiln daily...can you see the glow in Leesburg!!! I am so excited for the Spring Bling Art Show at Ida Lee on March 5th. I have some new work and I am anxious to see how folks respond to it! Come on out!

Pottery Classes

Almost a new year and a new session of pottery classes. Sign up for pottery classes for a New Year's resolution! Step outside of your comfort zone and try something new! It is so fun!

The Old Furniture Factory in Round Hill, VA
www.theoldfurniturefactory.com
Home of the Round Hill Design Center, ceramics and pottery demonstrations and classes, and Blue Grass Jam Sessions. Round Hill Arts Center founded here by Carolyn Kruger and Wallace Johnson.

Pots and People

I worked out at The Gateway Gallery all day yesterday and was fortunate enough to sell several pieces of my pottery. I left at the end of the day so excited and feeling very connected to my community.

When you sell work at a gallery, you more often than not, do not get to meet the people who buy your work. When you sell directly at Art Shows and Festivals, you meet and speak with every single buyer. I love this connection, and meeting the people who admire the work enough to purchase it. I love to hear why they like the piece, or who they plan to give it to, or where and how they plan to use the piece. Sometimes, they even share, what recipe or food they plan to serve in the pot - How yummy!

I met everyone yesterday, spoke with them in depth and loved hearing the stories of who they plan to give the piece to, and why they were drawn to that particular pot. I chuckled to hear one lady explain why she planned to give a porcelain bud vase to her daughter. The vase has an intentional bend to the left as it swirls to the top and she said it was "perfect for her daughter because she likes everything a little off kilter!"

How joyful that the woman "got" my intention in bending the top of the bud vase, making it perfectly imperfect! And how wonderful that she could relate it to her daughter's personality!