JOURNAL

December 2024

Wow 2024 has been heartfelt, busy, and full of growth!

I was lucky enough to spend my summer in Montana as a resident at The Archie Bray Foundation from May-August. It seems to me that residencies come at the perfect time, when I’m in need of connections, conversations, and events with other artists. Tbh during my time as a short-term resident, at any facility, my goal isn’t to create mountains of work or forcibly change things up. I allow myself to spend precious moments with those around me, knowing that when I’m back home I can more clearly direct those shifts and progressions during reflection of those experiences.

During my time in Montana I took a two-week stint away from The Bray as a resident artist at Red Lodge Clay Center. Being at Red Lodge was such a gift as well, as I was able to spend time with what I call “My Cincy Clay Fam.” That family consists of artists that are truly like family to me- my clay “big bro,” mamas, papas, sisters, and brothers. It had been so long since I’ve spent time working in a studio with them. Such a wholesome and enriching experience to come back together after 10+ years!

In the past few months since arriving home from Montana I’ve taken some time to decompress and process my time there. Before this summer I had forgotten how much I enjoy throwing and altering forms and thinking of functional objects from a more sculptural standpoint.

I’ve also gotten into mold making! Thanks to the lovely residents this summer, I picked their brains about mold making and thus far I’ve made a few cup molds, handle molds, and pipe molds. It’s been a learning curve, which I find to be so rewarding through its challenges.

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Things have been, to put it lightly, a lil crazy since arriving home in California.

A termite swarm came through and the building I live in had to be fumigated/tented! Lots of work on my friend’s property I live on- hot water heater broke, PG&E meter had water GUSHING out of it (yikes!), electrical work, flooding (minimal, thankfully), and believe it or not so much more!

I’ve also been working as an organizer/house fixer-upper for a dear friend of mine. Organizing their house, painting, thinking about flow and aesthetics, etc. It’s been a great learning experience for me, as I’ve been Googling and YouTube-ing how to do a lot of new-to-me things.

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2025 is filling up quickly! I’ll be teaching in Ohio at Cornell Studios in January, UNT in February, my alma mater Edinboro in April, and Arrowmont in October. I’ll also be doing a short-term residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in June/July.

I’m looking forward to continuing my studio practice with more throwing and altering and mold making in mind, doing more house fix-ups and org for my friend, and meeting new friends during my travels.

Until next time! Cheers! ❌⭕️ ❌⭕️ ❌⭕️

January 2024

New Year new me. 💁🏻‍♀️ Jk. Tbh I’m not really one for New Year’s resolutions and goals and such. Reason being- I’m constantly doing that each week, month, and so on. If it works for you though, then do it!

But, what I was saying, New Year new me, meaning I’ve done a website refresh yay! About every year or so I like to wipe the slate clean and pick a new look and feel for my website along with adding in new pages, such as this work journal.

Creating this journal (I dare not call it a blog, though, lets be real, that’s what it is lol) is a way to connect with y’all more and a way to collect my thoughts regarding what’s been happening with me relating to work and life. I’ve found I often want to add this info to my (minimal) marketing emails, but I’m not a fan of crowding those emails with tons of info, since we all feel overwhelmed with our inboxes already.

SO, after that long intro, here’s what’s been going on with me.

I’ve been working like crazy during the holidays and into the New Year. Been decorating lots of bisqued work in preparation for NCECA, upcoming shows, workshops, and more. I adore getting cozied up next to my electric fireplace heater with my two wonderful dogs and decorating pots all day (while watching/listening to my favorite trash TV shows too, of course).

At the end of November my pup, Reggie, was neutered. During the time he was healing post surgery I decided to switch gears and sew. I adore sewing, but I find myself getting hyper-fixated on a new project so I’ve been weary to begin sewing again. WELL WELL WELL. Here I am, hyper-fixated and loving it. I made several quilts and decided I’d either a) see if there was any interest from y’all in purchasing them or b) cool it on all my time sewing. Lol. Thankfully I had an amazing response to the quilts and I’m stoked to make more! You can see two in progress quilts in the photo gallery (left). Making quilts has allowed me to think about surface and composition in different ways that I then relate back to my pots. Anddd you can even see I made sweet Reggie boy a quilted coat, because DUH.

As y’all know I also spend quite some time drawing, so I’ve made a new Artaxis design for all your Artaxis merch needs! You can see that design in the center of the photo gallery (left) and you can purchase your own merch HERE. Artaxis Organization Inc. is funded entirely by proceeds from the Artaxis Shop (ShopArtaxis.org), donations, our Patreon (Patreon.com/Artaxis) and application fees.

Well, all work and no play makes anyone dull af. So why not take work to a vacation destination, right? As I write this I’m currently in Hawaii with a bestie of mine celebrating her bday! Spending time redesigning my website, drawing, creating stencils, coming up with shop update calendars, and more…while lounging in the sun and eating all of the fresh seafood. Very grateful to be here! “Vacations” often give me much needed time away from the materiality of what I do that way I’m able to focus on computer/logistical work, plan the year in terms of biz, and think about new designs. Since getting back to being a full-time working artist I promised myself I’d do something like this at least once a year, so yay to holding ourselves accountable! Though, damn, breaks the bank for sure hahaha.

I’m always really excited to get home and into the studio after a vacay (I know that sounds like a lie, but it’s really not, I miss my dogs lol). When I get back I’ll be prepping for the Florida Clay Conference, getting ready for my next shop update (Feb. 1st), and I’ll be focusing on making handbuilt work for NCECA.

That’s all for meow folks! Till next time, cheers! ❌⭕️ ❌⭕️ ❌⭕️