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Colorado Art Studio

Colorado Art Studio
A pottery blog by artist Cynthia Guajardo who makes functional pottery, sculptural wall pieces and ceramic jewelry

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Slab bowls with imprinted texture
2007-11-16 14:39:00
The other day, I was cruising through the blogs that I've linked to on my right hand side bar --> and came across a really helpful article on Emily Murphy's Pottery Blog on how to make a textured rolling pin using a sharpie, a hot glue gun and a rolling pin. It clicked with me and I knew I had to give it a try - since I have been meaning to make some larger plaster texture plates. This is so much easier and less labor intensive. Check out her blog if you want to see the step by step instructions on how to make one yourself.Just the day before, I had pulled out an older lino-cut relief plate to use to imprint texture on a slab that I really liked. Unfortunately, I don't currently have a photograph of that bowl. This is a technique that hearkens back to some of my experiments of printing on clay after reading Paul Wandless' book, Image transfer on Clay. I'll have to share the results of my relief printed bowl with you at a later date.In the new issue of Pottery Making Illus...
More About: Texture , Bowl

Bored Gargoyle? Is there such a creature?
2007-11-13 14:59:00
Stoneware Gargoyle tile and moldAmong the many things I found after my studio remodel was a tile mold of a bored gargoyle sitting below a rose window in a cathedral. I made this in 1997 in a 3-D design class when we were making cast paper reliefs. Why I chose a gargoyle, is beyond me. It's not a subject I normally gravitate towards. At any rate, I decided to try casting a clay tile from my paper mold to see how it turns out. It was bisque fired yesterday, so I should be able to take a peek later today.After doing a wee bit of research - and I mean wee - Wikipedia was my source- I found out that the word gargoyle comes from the French word gargouille, which translates to throat or gullet. Delve a little further into Latin and it refers to gurgling water. Gargoyles were often placed on Churches to redirect water away from the building. Decorative or non-functioning gargoyles are really grotesques, or strange, fantastical creatures that are pure adornment on buildings.If you...
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Mask Maker, Mask Maker, Make Me a Mask...
2007-11-10 19:13:00
Clay + Imagination = Art class masksMore elementary school age kid's masksOkay, so maybe my riff on Fiddler on The Roof is a little cheesy, but it's the first thing that pops into my head when I see all these fabu masks made in my kid's clay class drying in my studio. I'll share a couple of my favorites later on after they're painted. In the interest of time, we're going to paint our masks with acrylic paints rather, than using glazes or under-glazes. Test tiles with under-glaze and clear glazeAfter moving into my studio a few weeks ago, I have found several things that I had previously stashed away for future use. You know those things that you're saving for when you need them, only you can never find them again. Well, among the items that are newly found, were these bisqued porcelain test tiles. I decided to go ahead and paint one with each of my Duncan Cover Coat Underglazes - and then add a clear glaze to half of each tile to see what the difference would be. Make s...
More About: Maker , Mask

Art School Confidential and Misc. Studio Duties
2007-11-08 14:57:00
Glazing snowflakesI spent the better part of yesterday in my studio - getting organized, cleaning and doing some miscellaneous tasks like touching up the kid's snowflake ornaments from class last week. I had them glaze their own snowflakes - but when I inspected them, many had missed spots, so cleaned them up a little. I was on my feet most of the day, when I remembered this stool that was sitting forlornly in my dining room. I had painted it for my kitchen when we lived in Maine - but there was no spot for it in our house here in Denver...until yesterday. Perfect studio addition if you ask me.Washin' DishesPart of offering a clay class after school is that I have basically created a mobile studio for the kids. I have to haul everything back and forth because the school doesn't have the storage space and no clay facilities. It adds a little bit of work for me and necessity is breeding efficiency. Every week, I figure out how to get more stream lined. The biggest burden is...
More About: Misc , School , Studio , Duties , Art School

Masks
2007-11-06 14:32:00
Ceramic Mask circa 2002My kid's after school clay class is comprised of 2nd through 5th graders which I thought would be quite an age gap when I proposed the class. I've found that age doesn't really matter when you have a student who is really interested in learning about and working with clay. Very cool discovery if your ask me. If anything is an issue, it's lack of time. Our class runs 3:00 to 5:00 PM and I'd love to have an extra hour so that everyone can do their best work without being rushed.This week's project is to make a clay mask. I brought in the mask above which I had made in my very first ceramic class at the University of Southern Maine and even managed to find my initial sketch which I shared with the students. Can You Spot the LeopardTo stimulate conversation and to get brains thinking, I brought in this book on African masks for kids to look at. We talked about how masks are used in different cultures as disguise, ceremony or other functions such as th...
More About: Masks

What do potters buy?
2007-11-03 15:11:00
Sarah Christensen Mug, purchased at the Colorado Potter's Guild Fall SaleOn Thursday evening, I attended the opening of the Colorado Potter's Guild Fall Sale with the intention of buying a new mug for myself and to meet the membership chair of the Potter's Guild in person. My friend, Kathleen Laurie, is a member of the guild and mentioned that if I came to opening night she would introduce me to a few people. When I first arrived, I ran into several former classmates and friends of mine from the Art Student's League - which was a blast. I forget how much I enjoy the camaraderie of like minded people working together in a collective studio environment. At any rate, it was wonderful to catch up with friends.I met Marta Rodeheffer, the guild's membership chair woman, who introduced me to many of the guild's members and we discussed the application procedures for applying to the guild. I need to return my paper application to her, and if the guild members like what they see, ...

Snowflake Ornaments
2007-11-01 13:55:00
Snowflake Ornaments Originally uploaded by colorado art studio Thank you to everyone who left comments on my studio remodel post - I'm super excited about my new space.Meanwhile, my first kid's clay class has come and gone and I'm now planning my second class. In our first class, we made some simple sgraffito snowflake ornaments using purchased cookie cutters, low fire clay and under-glazes. It had to be a pretty easy project since I spent a good part of our time together talking about the "rules". I know, no one, especially kids want to hear about rules. But, we are borrowing the art room which also doubles as the music room at the school during the day. I would be really sad if our class was canceled because someone decided it would be a good idea to play the drums or xylophones with muddy hands. Or, if we had to call an ambulance because another kid stabbed his buddy with a needle tool. You get the gist. I chose snowflakes since the school is diverse - some kids c...
More About: Snowflake , Amen , Flake

After...
2007-10-30 13:57:00
To really appreciate the "after" shot of my new studio space, you have to take another look at the before shot:Yes, it truly is the exact same corner of the garagio! I did have to cede a little space to some of my husbands stuff such as golf clubs etc., but gained an additional 80 square feet and another wall. Unfortunately, my test kiln is floating in the middle of the room, but it's small enough to move wherever I need it to. After editing, cleaning and re-arranging I have a brand new, well lit functional space and none too soon either. My kid's clay class starts today and with 19 students enrolled, I'm going to be busy. What you can't see from the photo is my larger Paragon kiln which needs to stay near it's dedicated 240 outlet and a set of shelves reserved for the kid's work which I'll be transporting back to my studio to fire. I had such a positive response to my kid's clay class proposal, that I had to split the class into two days. I started getting nervous w...

Before & During Garage Studio Conversion
2007-10-27 16:55:00
BeforeMy in-laws flew into town on Wednesday and as usual are incredibly helpful. After last weekend's snow, I realized that I had better weatherize my "garagio" before it gets any colder. I want to be able to work in there year round, and not just in warmer months. I heard the term "garagio" somewhere else, and I thought "what a perfect description of my work space - not quite studio, nor garage."On Thursday, I drove up to gorgeous Evergreen, CO to have lunch with a couple of mountain gal friends and to pick up some studio furniture and 300 pounds of clay from a potter who is moving overseas. On the 45 mile drive back home to Denver, with an 8' work table hanging out of the back of my well used Pathfinder and weighted down with clay, I wondered where I would put the table upon my return because, frankly, there just ain't no room. After emptyingOn Thursday evening, my inlaws, husband and I debated waiting for a contractor's bid to insulate and drywall my space, or whether...
More About: Garage , Studio , Conversion

Experiental Pots
2007-10-24 00:47:00
Set of 4 green mugs for my sister-in-lawNow that I am substitute teaching sporadically, I have been afforded more working time in my studio. It's a good thing, since I need to produce a bit of work for the upcoming holiday craft show that I'm participating in on Nov. 30 & Dec. 1st. I'm a little behind on some work including the 4 mugs in the photo above for a belated birthday gift for my SIL - eeks her birthday was August 29th. It all came about when I happened to be over at her house this summer and she was using a mug of mine that I had made a few years ago. I looked at it, and thought "Oh my gawd, I need to replace that thang pronto!" She then went on to tell me that it was her favorite and that coffee tasted better in my mug. I thought that was the best compliment I could ever receive.Which brings me to the title of my post. I subscribe to ceramic artist and gallery owner, Charlie Cumming's newsletter. Yesterday's letter included a link to a 30 minute video of P...

Shake it up!
2007-10-22 16:33:00
Double Walled Porcelain Salt ShakerBottom view of salt shakerSeveral weeks ago, there was discussion on the Etsy Mud Team forum about double walled, hole-less salt and pepper shakers. I couldn't quite fathom how they worked, until I made one. It came out of the glaze fire the other morning and I can't stop shaking a little salt out of it every time I walk by. I know, it doesn't take much.Basically, you fill the salt from the bottom and it rests in the walls until you shake. When you do give it a shake, the salt hits the "ceiling" and then exits through the hole in the bottom. Very cool if you ask me. Now I'm asking myself why I only made a salt shaker and not a pepper to match. I think I'm going to make 20 sets for gifts and sale.Meanwhile, I received a lovely email early Saturday morning notifying me that I have been awarded space at Fancy Tiger's first alt craft fair to be held at the Capsule Event Center on Friday, Nov. 30 (6 - 9PM) and Saturday, Dec. 1st (10 - 6AM),...

New Porcelain Ginkgo Tumblers
2007-10-19 18:19:00
Fresh out of the kiln this AM - porcelain ginkgo tumblersI was so excited to open my kiln this am and while I had a couple of disappointments, I also had some sweet surprises. Mainly, I am so in love with these tumblers! I originally envisioned porcelain wine tumblers, but these might be a little too large at 4.5" x 2". On second thought, I just visited a really cool site that calculated the volume of liquid that these tumblers can hold which happens to be right around 6.2 oz. So - these could be used for a wee nip after all. These are not for the oenophile who expects a full bowl and elegant stem, but are rather for the person who savors the unique and handcrafted. As usual, I learned something about making these tumblers. The more successful ones are 6/32" thick. The thinner ones experienced more warpage during the glaze fire. Although the warped ones are charming in their own way, I'd prefer to have a more evenly round interior. These were made from slabs of clay and mi...
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Ceramic Buttons, Fundraisers & an Interview
2007-10-17 15:31:00
Porcelain Buttons This past weekend was a busy one! In addition to running on an ING Marathon Relay team, I participated in a small craft fair at my daughter's school on Sunday afternoon. It was the school's annual Fall Carnival - one of several annual school fund raising events and the kid's favorite. It's normally held outside; however, this year we awoke to freezing rain and temps in the high 30's. Needless to say the event was held inside which was actually quite fun - though noisy.I brought my ceramic jewelry and buttons to the event. After running that morning, I had no desire to lug my pottery over to the school. As it turns out, the jewelry was the perfect choice. I sold a little bit, with 20% of the proceeds going back to the school. There were other Moms/crafters selling a variety of items including handmade balms, felted purses, sewn purses and belts, jewelry, cards, kid's art smocks and little dolls. I sold the buttons (above) to the woman making sewn purse...
More About: Interview

Busy Weekend...
2007-10-13 17:13:00
Trio of House Wall Tiles, handmade stoneware tiles fired to cone 6 in an electric kiln, soldI've had a little bit of an online sales drought the past few months. Could it be because I've had a scarcity of new work? I've been working so much at my daughter's school as a sub, that I've had little energy at the end of the day to create in my studio. A good bit of the time, I've been filling in as a special education para-professional since the beginning of school working one on one with a delightful young girl. Yesterday, I had a bit of good news - it looks like a full time person has been hired to fill the position permanently. I will still be filling in as needed for teachers, but expect my sub assignments to be more sporadic in the near future.It's perfect for me now that my clay class has been approved and I can concentrate on getting back to work in the studio doing what I love. I already have 5 students signed up for my class with a lot of verbal interest from parent...
More About: Weekend , Busy

Double Walled Salt Shaker and Good News!
2007-10-10 02:35:00
Double walled salt shaker with no holesBottom of double walled salt shakerA couple of weeks ago, the Etsy Mud Team, (an Etsy group that I belong to) was discussing double walled holeless salt shakers. I really couldn't fathom how they were made or worked, but gave it a good shot after seeing Keith's tutorial. I didn't do any before, during and after photos and instead, opted to wait and see if my creation even survived the bisque fire.It did. I ended up adding the decorative knob, because without it, frankly the salt shaker looked like a female body part. Please use your imagination here.... As to the mechanics of the piece, one basically fills the salt or pepper into the hole in the bottom. To use, the salt sits within the "walls" until shaken, then sprinkles from the hollow center. Makes sense, right? I'm a visual person, and didn't get it until I made one myself. I think it needs a pepper partner now.Bisqued porcelain bottle with handmade ginkgo lino-cut stamps - no...
More About: News , Double , Good News , Salt , Good

Kiln Goddess
2007-10-08 06:16:00
My new kiln goddessLast week, or maybe it was the week before, I was doing some studio clean up in an attempt to make some room so that I can "modernize" my space with a little insulation and drywall. Yep, just the basics for me. Whilst tidying and peering into storage boxes, which moved with us from Maine, I came across a box of old ceramic work - some dating back to my very first class. I saw my little goddess and was more than a little embarrassed that I shared her with my class. I was about to destroy her and throw her away, when I thought, no she will receive a pardon and serve out her days near my kiln.As I held her and gave her a good once over, I realized that I made this figure at a time in my life when I was in love with the possibilities of clay. I swooned over every free moment when I could sneak away to the ceramic studio on campus. She represents a notion and a feeling that I would like to hold with me. She is pregnant with possibilities and will guard my firings...
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Let's Play True Confessions...
2007-09-20 14:50:00
No wonder I haven't wanted to spend much time in my studio - I can barely even find my wheel!I'll start off my little game of true confessions. I'm a procrastinator! There, I said it and the truth is out in the open, though I'm not proud of my procrastinating tendencies. I haven't gone into my studio for a number of reasons, but the main one being that it was a mess. I couldn't find anything, and frankly I just decided to play the avoidance technique card. Here's the problem though... I am getting cranky. Cranky, because something is missing in my life right now - mainly manipulating clay into something, anything. So, yesterday, I cleaned for 2 hours until I could find my wheel, until I had put everything away in its rightful place, so that my studio could function again. Once I finished and gathered up stray 2 pound bags of used clay, I wedged up some porcelain. Man, the clay hard as a rock from neglect! But after banging it around a bit and forcefully wedging it,...
More About: Confessions , Play , True , Fess

Another Teapot...
2007-09-19 02:34:00
Celadon Glazed Porcelain Teapot Circa 2005The teapot above is a little more sophisticated than the first teapot that I ever made, though it has its fatal flaws too. Namely, I glazed the sieve holes shut and it will never function as a proper teapot. It sits on a shelf in my kitchen; and since I'm not a tea person myself we're very happy together.I'm not quite sure why pottery and tea go together like honey and bees but it does. There's a long tradition of making teapots by pottery and ceramic artists dating back to ancient China. I had the good fortune to watch a demonstration of a group of Chinese potters craft Yixing Teapots when I was in school at the University of Southern Maine. My professor, Ray Chen, brought the traveling artists to campus for a workshop that was just fascinating. The teapots are gorgeous, simple vessels that are hand built - no pottery wheel is used, only a paddle to shape it.In addition to the teapot demo, they also crafted handmade tools and brus...

My First Tea Pot
2007-09-16 18:26:00
Stoneware Tea Pot circa Spring 2002, slab built from brown stoneware clay body, glazed to cone 6 in oxidationI belong to the Etsy Mud Team, a group of artists and crafts people who love working with clay. It's a fairly diverse group who make anything from ceramic jewelry, functional pottery, to sculptural ceramic objects. We all employ different techniques, materials and processes down to a personal preference for various clay bodies. We are also at varying levels of accomplishment in our clay careers - which is good since ceramic artists are normally very generous with their clay knowledge. The Mud Team is currently working on a teapot "challenge" and entries are due next week. I've opted out of the challenge, but decided to look at some of the teapots that I have made since I first touched clay.In January 2002, I enrolled in my first ceramics class at the University of Southern Maine, after taking a leave of absence from my job at United Airlines and the events of 9/11. I ...

Share a photo and try as I may....
2007-09-12 03:29:00
The fabulous, talented, always witty and the winnner of my blogaversary giveaway, Dinahmow (who hails from Australia) wearing one of my porcelain pendants.Last week, I was pleased to receive an email and photograph from Dinahmow, aka, Idle Thought of an Idle Woman blog author. Last April, she won my blogaverary give-away and promised me a photograph. Months later with cobwebs filling my brain, I was surprised and delighted to hear from her and to place a face to her "name". She gave me permission to share her photograph provided I keep her true identity a secret!Meanwhile I was looking forward to having a day in the studio, but was instead enveloped with Steele Elementary School Auction Planning meetings and misc. time fillers. I've been a little out of sorts today, and then realized what was bothering me late into the day.Today is the anniversary of the horrific events of 9/11/01. I didn't realize it until I clicked on the TV and saw an Oprah special. It may not be popular,...
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I can see clearly now...
2007-09-09 16:01:00
View from upstairs bedroom looking onto our HUGE ;D backyardWhew... the West Wash Park Home Tour ended at 4:00 pm yesterday and after a couple of much needed beers, I promptly fell blissfully asleep by 8pm. Saturday is normally movie night in our household, and I didn't even pretend to try to keep my eyes open. Could it be because I have basically been cleaning, landscaping, painting, sewing, staining, etc. etc. projects around the house up until 9 am the morning of the event? I'm very glad we participated in the tour for a number of reasons - some selfish and some community oriented. We can now sit back and really enjoy our house because it feels finished, or at least until I decide that I no longer like orange paint or some other benign decorating nuance. Weekends will no longer find us deciding which home project to tackle; rather now I can decide to spend hours in my studio guilt-free or maybe take a family hike or museum visit. The home tour also benefited our community...
More About: Earl

Low-Tech Outdoor Photo Shoot for Ceramic Work and other 3D Art
2007-09-05 23:44:00
An otherwise innocuous setting in my gardenThe other day, I shared my macro photo-shoot with you courtesy of my father in law. After helping us with some landscaping and hearing my instructions to leave a certain area of the yard accessible, he inquired, "Why pray tell do you have this table, clips and nails over here?" See photo above. I leave this area set up 24 & 7 should the need arise to photograph some of my ceramic work. It's ther perfect low tech way to make semi-professional looking studio photographs where no studio or funds exist. I then showed him my macro photo-studio and he replied, "This would make a great blog post!" I had to hand it to him, I agreed that it would be perfect especially during this period of inactivity in the studio while we put the final touches on our house for the home tour.Seamless graduated photography backgroundThe background paper that I purchased a couple of years ago is holding up pretty well, despite a few scratches. I simply take it ...
More About: Photo , Tech , Work , Photo Shoot , Outdoor

Portable Photographic Light Box
2007-09-02 17:00:00
Portable Light BoxSide ViewLike many other independent artisans, I need professional photographs so that I can share my work with you on my blog, website, Etsy and other retail venues. What happens when one can't afford to hire a professional photographer? If you're like me, you scour the Internet for information - free information! A few years ago, I did invest in a seamless graduated photographic background paper that is pretty standard when photographing ceramic work. This method is my first choice when I need to do a large photoshoot, however, it has its drawbacks. I do not have special lights or even a designated space for photographing work in my studio or home. I photograph work outside - but have to wait for an overcast day to do have a photoshoot to avoid having blue undertones to my photographs.Last fall, after searching the Internet for the best way to photograph small objects indoors or out, I found Strobist - a fantastic photographic how to blog that gave step b...
More About: Portable , Graph

The 3 Habaneros & Misc.
2007-08-26 22:44:00
The 3 Habaneros Originally uploaded by colorado art studio Hello all, I feel like I've abandoned my blog for the past week and I've missed everyone! It's now Sunday afternoon and I feel like I am, for the most part, recovered from my week long excursion as a substitute teacher in Denver Public Schools. I subbed in Special Education which just about wore me out. Working with children with special needs is challenging to say the least and I decided that I needed to set some parameters with the school. I feel like I am finally getting some wonderful opportunities and making headway with my art career which is solidly colliding with being a substitute. Yes, I'm glad to get paid and if I wanted, I could work every single day of the year as a sub since there is such a severe shortage here in Denver - maybe nation wide. It's hard to say no when an assignment comes my way - especially since I'm working at the school that my daughter attends and know all of the staff and teach...
More About: Misc , The 3

Out for the rest of the week!
2007-08-21 13:32:00
Eye CandyI have no new photographs or projects to share with you at the moment other than the lovely photograph above that a gentleman sent to me of a vase that he had purchased from me last year filled with gorgeous zinnias from his garden. I loved the photograph and asked if I could share it on my blog - so here it is.What am I up to this week? You may remember that I applied for a license to substitute teach in Colorado last year. Wouldn't you know, I have a substitute assignment the entire first week of school here in Denver? Needless to say, I'll be away from my studio for the week. I'm happy to report that I survived the first day, albeit somewhat tired to say the least. It's quite a shocker to go from setting my own hours to working a set schedule and kids have a lot of energy!On a side note, it looks like I will be selling some of my ceramic jewelry online at Asian iCandy - a retail site that features, you guessed it, Asian inspired clothing, art, accessories and j...
More About: Week , Rest

Symbiosis: Shadow Box Project is Complete
2007-08-18 13:07:00
Stoneware slab construction, celadon glaze to ^6 in oxidation, lazertran decals added post firing, with sewn and painted background nestled in a wood shadow box. Approximately 15" x 10" x 4"All things considered, I'm pretty satisfied with how my donation to the Rainbow of Art Auction turned out. Some of the original design elements were chucked at the last minute, however, because they just didn't turn out as fantastic as the image in my brain during the conception phase of the project. Mainly, the plexiglass portion incorporating written words and clay bees. Sometimes less is more. It might be worth trying again on a smaller scale someday. Writing in plexiglass is done in mirror image and it was tedious to say the least.I had to remove the glass front to photograph the piece - too much glare. As with anything, I learned a lot along the way. My only regret is that I didn't get to live with it a little longer. Yesterday, I did receive a really nice phone call from one of ...
More About: Project , Shadow , Complete

Shadow Box Update & I'm Cracking Up!
2007-08-16 16:12:00
The ingredients are assembledI should be just about done with my donation to the Rainbow of Art Fundraising auction for PFLAG by tomorrow. Well, I better be, because the art coordinator is coming by in the afternoon to pick it up. I wish I would have finished earlier, because I think I'm going to like the way it turns out. I like to live with my artwork sometimes before releasing it into the wild. This morning I'm going to be sewing the background for the shadow box, and am having a glaze fire for the ceramic house component. I'm not sure how visible it is, but I'm replacing the glass front with a plexiglass one - which I cut out the other day. I'm going to be drawing into the plexiglass piece to add a little more texture and backstory to the piece.I was very excited to see that my little nichrome wire hanger fired just fine on the back of the ceramic house. It's a little brittle now that it's been fired, but it should be easier in the long run than sawing, attaching a...
More About: Shadow , Update , Cracking

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