My Morning Coffee

Happy Sunday! I'm enjoying a fresh cup of java out of my brand new glorious mug from artist, Molly Hatch.  I was visiting Atlanta last weekend and she happened to be down from her home in Massachusetts teaching a workshop at Mudfire (where I had taken a workshop in Summer 2010 with the ridiculously talented Diana Fayt). Molly and I met last year at Art of the Pot here in Austin.  Diana and Molly are friends and were guests of potter, Keith Kreeger during Art of the Pot.  I went to say hi to Diana and instantly became smitten with Molly and her work.  She is a joy and doing some awesome design work for Anthropologie. I wish she lived closer, but for now I'll have to look forward to a possible Skype date with her to talk shop.  Can't wait for that conversation/s.

NEW Limited Edition socks with Smartwool

I am thrilled to announce I am the smARTwool Gallery Artist over at Smartwool this year and they just launched the socks I designed.  They turned out amazing and I could not be happier.

I have three different designs: Cosmic Poppy, Dancing Dots and Spring Fling.

Thanks to Mercedes Marchand for spotting my work and making this happen!  Smartwool has been delightful to work with. The experience is also what has inspired a transition into surface pattern design.  The act of deconstructing design elements from my paintings and making new designs out of those components was super exciting. Not knowing exactly how to make the leap from painting to surface design, I just happened to stumble upon this course that Rachael Taylor & Beth Nichols were offering.

Rachael has provided an insane amount of information that I'm still trying to catch up on, but I have to tell you...it's been worth every single cent.  Who knows what the future holds...but I'm excited.  Oh, and there will also be a FALL 2012 collection of socks over at Smartwool to designed by yours truly.

Alumni Show

In October, I participated in an alumni invitational exhibition at Texas State University.  After over a decade out of school, it was a nice chance to review how I've grown as an artist. Also, was delightful reminiscing with old school chums.  It was so interesting seeing the paths we've all taken along the way.  Unlike past alumni exhibits at the school, this one was curated differently.  Instead of inviting alum from various years of graduation, this show was focused on a certain "generation" of grads from the Art & Design department.  We were asked to submit a piece that revisited an art assignment from when we were in college.  There was no requirement on medium or the way the piece needed to end up.  It was simply a spring board.  At first I chose to work in clay, in which I had concentrated in.  After some experimentation, I decided NOT to do it simply because I was not as comfortable with the medium as I once had been.  I was sad, but embraced the change in heart and persevered.  I ended up with a collection of mixed media drawings that I thought were delicate, refined and good enough for display.  I was nervous about exhibiting...all of my old mates and profs seeing my work.   Everything went well and my old ceramics prof even invited me to come share my story (with images) with her advanced students.  That was fun. It also symbolized my coming full circle in many respects to my art career.  The whole experience was just wonderful.

Merry Freakin' Holidays

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Podcasting

Inspired by one of my favorite artists, Susie Ghahremani {aka boygirlparty}, I've started a podcast for your listening pleasure. Some of the music I currently cannot get enough of. Usually stuff I listen to while working. I'll make new ones periodically for ya'll too. It's fun to make them! So click here if you have iTunes and here if not. And make sure to subscribe for automatic updates!

Enjoy!!

Some Assembly Required

It is not often we pamper ourselves with total immersion in a favorite (art) medium...FOR FUN. Well, Saturday I did just that. Six hours of uninterrupted creation, in various forms...and it was divine. {{First of all, I HAVE to give a huge shout out to Eye of the Dog Art Center, whose vision is being realized and they are SHARING it with everyone. So you should go and get you some...it's pretty cool. And they serve wine...HELLO!}} Beverly's "Found, Funky & Fun Assemblage Workshop" was just the coolest. We foraged thru Bev's amazing collections of lost and found treasures & also brought items for swapping with other workshop participants, then went to town. Premeditated ideas were tossed on their ass as it became an exercise of letting go and giving intuition a turn at the wheel. Trying to lose control on purpose is hard...especially in only 6 hours. By mid-day, I started to get into the groove and as soon as the flow started pouring, class was over. That is fine though, as it was great to hang out with some awesome women and get out of my comfort zone of 2D work. Here are some pics from class:






Here are some shots of my talented friend's piece that I absolutely love.

Renewal

Hi,
I'm Stephanie. Remember me? Probably not, I haven't been on here since LAST YEAR???!!! WTH? oops. Consistency isn't a strong-suit of mine. By golly I try, though. Anyways...going to try and write more on here. It's nice to share my creative musings, etc.

So, here is something I'm currently working on. The home office. It's awfully boring and disorganized. The remedy is coming. Today I will set off to assemble the IKEA shelving purchased last week (this will probably take all day long...you know IKEA assembly is no small task). Here is my "before" picture. I know you totally expected me to work in this impeccably cute & aesthetically pleasing wonderland...but nope. I hope to turn that around and make some order out of the current chaos that is my office.

i spent my weekend over on the Eastside, and all i got was this lousy crack rock!

Seriously, kids, don't let the EASTside of I-35 scare you! It's full of wonderful art, culture and diversity and it's all waiting for you on this, the last weekend of the East Austin Studio Tour. So, get your bikes out or good walking shoes and be a tourist!

My work can be seen at #43 on the map...2710 E. Cesar Chavez, just west of Pleasant Valley. I'm in the back, under a tent. Saturday around 1, the lovely ladies of Guy Town will be coming by to sarenade us all with their twang and time.

EAST picks

Well, the first weekend of the East Austin Studio Tour is under our belts and I even managed to take off yesterday AM and take in a bit of art. I also spent a lot of time looking through the catalog and picking favorites and desires to see in person. There are few catalogs to be had now (I don't know if they are printing more up or not), so I've compiled a list of my EAST picks. I have a feeling next weekend will be a little frenzy to see what wasn't seen this past.

★ Catherine Dudley(#90a) @ 701 Tillery street, just east of Pleasant Valley.




★ #90b There are also some charming & powerful photos by Sarah Wilson right outside Catherine's studio.



★ #18 Denise Prince @ 1404 Willow Street Suite B (alley entrance).



★ #29 Andrew Long @ 2106 & 2110 Willow Street



★ #35 Carin Rodenborn @ 2507 B East 6th St.



★ #44 The Decoder Ring Design Concern @ 638 Tillery Street



★ #45b The Wondercraft's mobile studio "Stella" @ 629 Allen Street


★ #52 Court Lurie @4704 Cesar Chavez, Buildings B, Suite 300



★ #63 Jaime Jo Fisher @ 5609 Steven Creek Way



★ #70 Daphne Holland with Cari Washburn @ Pagoda Studio 5306 Bolm Road #8



★ #77 Ginko Studios @ 800 Gullett Street



★ #121 Catherine Hart @ 3023 E. 13th



★ # 137 Adaptive Re-use @ 4017 Cherrywood Rd.



Ya'll there is soooo much to see, just go out and see what you can. It's going to be beautiful this weekend and I hope to see some of you!

spend the evening with yours truly

Alrighty folks, NOW you can call (512) 974-4040 and register to take 1 or all 4 of my specialty clay workshops at the Dougherty Arts School. WOOHOO. Here is the lowdown.



Tiles & Trivets Workshop with Stephanie Nance
Thursday, November 5th 6:30 – 9:30 pm

This workshop offers an introduction for proper slab rolling techniques in order to produce decorative tiles, trivets, coasters, etc. Great for adults and beginners who desire to explore in a new medium and wonderful for experienced potters yearning to experiment with different clay techniques. Rolling and pressing textures into the surface of your slabs opens the door wide for all kinds of surface decoration. Students will walk away from class with their heads swirling with ideas for more fun projects to do on their own and a handmade work of art! Supplies provided. Paint your pieces with a one fire cone 06 glaze. Class held in Clay Studio. Limit 12 students. $29/ 1 class

Stamps and Appliqués Workshop with Stephanie Nance
Thursday, November 12th 6:30 – 9:30 pm

This specialty workshop will focus on making bisque-ware stamps and appliqué (a smaller ornament or device applied to another surface) molds for use in your future ceramic projects. An easy way to build your collection of tools for surface decoration; stamping and applying small appliqués to wares add ornament, interest and texture to plain surfaces. Students will leave knowing how to make & use their new tools. Supplies provided and pieces will be bisque fired only. Class held in Clay Studio. Limit 12 students. $29/ 1 class



Exploring Texture Workshop with Stephanie Nance
Thursday, November 19th 6:30 – 9:30 pm

The pliability of clay offers its users never-ending opportunities when it comes to surface design. This class is loosely designed as to give you the opportunity to experiment to your hearts desire making textures with unassuming items like, doilies, nails, cake decorating tips, fabric, buttons, etc. Feel free to bring items to share in making texture “test tiles.” We’ll take notes on what you and others do, so you may carry these processes on to your future projects. Supplies provided and paint your pieces with a one fire cone 06 glaze. Class held in Clay Studio. Limit 12 students. $29/ 1 class

Adornments Workshop with Stephanie Nance
Thursday, December 3rd 6:30 – 9:30 pm

This one day workshop is all about adorning yourself, home or loved ones. Students will have the opportunity to make drawer pulls, belt buckles, magnets, garden stakes, and/or ring bowls...little things that brighten up the home, or make wonderful gifts. Perfect for beginners wanting to explore clay or experienced artists looking to enjoy a one night workshop creating unique adornments in clay. Supplies provided. Paint your pieces with a one fire cone 06 glaze. Class held in Clay Studio. Limit 12 students. $29/ 1 class