setting the stage...

Sometimes it seems all I've been doing of late is work on the website or the blog...  Yet I'm told daily how important this is as I try to "get the word out" that I'm here.  And interested in selling!  I've much to learn about this blog setup...thanks to those of you who have already commented...all critique is welcome.

Yesterday did manage to get some tiime in the studio to lay out and begin the markings for my dragonfly piece.  Again, a very tedious task but part of the process.  And it IS all about the process, no?

Still trying to learn the system

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

joys of June

The utilization off "social media" a new experience for me.  I vowed to write daily, yet here I am a month since my last post.  Oh, how the world of health, finances, relationships seem to block my way to the studio and my work as an artist.
After my last show "HANDS" I decided to take a break from a prescribed show requirement, and simply listen to some things in my inner heart. 
I have made several pieces since that time, including a bas relief form of a tree ... very hopeful it will lmake it through the bisque.  Plans to use specific glaze only on tree, with blackground waxed out to leave only the clay color.  After this, I will be adding some kind of medium to bring the tree into a blossoming stage.  I began yesterday to work on an intricate design which focuses on a dragonfly. Lots of symbolism for this elegant creature:  defeat of self-created illusions, foxus on being in the moment, opening one's eyes, maturitiy and depth of character.  All ofthese and more leading me to have a beautiful tattoo on my left forearm of a dragonfly.  I invite you to visit:  http://dragonflysymbolism.org/  for a peaceful moment.

As this piece develops, I will be uploading pictures of its progress. 

And then, my commitment to do a series of nudes in bas relief, based on photographs of me -- "ARTIST AS MUSE".   The show will provide a dual experience:  the clay creations on one side, and matching images of the pose in black/white photographs on the other.  A show which undoubtedly take me a year.

My website will be an ongoing process -- http://www.drgabb.com/
where I will be providing a range of information and photos sof my work.  But this blog taps into my world as an academic and lover of story.  I hope you will travel along with me.

BEGINNING...

Mattise

As I begin this journey of using language to process and share the creative concepts and creations, I want to share that ceramics has come to me much later in life ... after a plethora of jobs, but most recently (17 years) of college teaching -- children's literature/literacy etc.  I took classes during those years, but didn't fully commit myself as a ceramic artist until 2001 when I retired.  And now, not really "retired," as I consider myself a full time artist.

I've been encouraged/demanded by friends that
blogging can reach the largest audience (albeit the favoritism of Facebook).  So here I am, beginning.  The above piece one of my first bas relief pieces.  I worked for several years, through inspirations of paintings, photographs, drawings.  I am going to have a website devoted to my artwork in the next month and there I will be able to post pictures grouped by show.

I will be bumbling along, but determined to do as many entries in a week as I can.

Progressive Bas Relief




Lady at Rest

 April 25, 2012
Finally beginning to make entries...as I learn this system.   I am a ceramic artist, primarily, although I have worked in mixed media.  The piece at the left was made @2008 .. with a series of trial and error glazes.  The first try just too yellow so we redipped in an iron rust and came out with this amazing view.  For some time I've been working with the female nude figure as inspired by photographs, paintings, sculptures...even catalog clippings.

Yet I am now moving into a new series of nudes -- to be entitled "Artist as Muse."  In this group of pieces, I wil be working from nude photographs designed by me...and actually, of me.  These will be accompanied by soft black and white photographs of the same pose ... neither format will have face, in order to focus on line, shape, form.  I anticipate at least of work on these.  At 65, I will be concerned certainly with not editing out the "imperfections" of aging:  cellulite, sagging parts, a bit more poundage etc.

As I do my posts, I will when possible, include photographs of my work, and talk about them, both personally and professionally.