Visiting Artist and Field Trips

We've been having lots of fun in the studio the past couple of days learning printing techniques for clay.  Here, Jason Bige Burnett is getting ready to demonstrate his method of screenprinting engobes.

And, of course, here's Jason hamming it up for the camera!

These are some sassy mugs I am experimenting with after an inspiring visit to the studio of Nicholas Joerling.  Nicholas is an incredible potter with a warm heart, enchanting smile and some wonderful words of wisdom.  He lives right down the road from the school so I think I will be taking another trip down there.  I will share more on the studio visits in the next couple of days.  Today is our day off from the studio and we are headed on another field trip into Asheville.  Have a great weekend!

Penland Rocks!

Today marks the end of my first week here at Penland.  We have had an amazing time so far!  Weather up on the mountain has been quite dynamic.  We've had warm weather, up to 75 degrees a couple of days ago followed by thunder, lightning and downpours.  Then it is back to clear and beautiful.

I love how the mist settles in between the hills overnight.

Kathy has been teaching us a number of different techniques.  This is my EZ Screen waiting for the sun to come back out to be exposed.  We have also been working on photo litho transfers and have had demos for multi part constructions but I keep forgetting to take my camera into the studio with me.  Lol, even though my bedroom is only 200 hundred feet away, if that.

Here is the group shot while waiting for the sun.  Kathy King is in the black and white.  She is awesome!

Drying in the sun, finally.

My space in the studio.  How did I make such a mess in such a short period of time?

Here are a few of the mugs I have started working on.  I'm still trying to figure out how to balance my work, studio, and personal time.  I haven't made as much work as I would like to but this weekend is free of classes so I have big plans.  And I get to do my laundry!  Really, it's the small things in life, like clean underwear, dontcha know?

Next week, Jason Bige Burnett, will come to the studio for a guest appearance and demonstration of screen printing with underglazes.  The group will also be going on a field trip to the studios of some Penland area clay artists.  Woo hoo!  I can't wait.