Pueblo Day Trip

dandy-lion vase

Two days ago I was in the middle of glazing when I remembered that it was Monday. Let me start from the beginning...

Several weeks ago I helped a juror with a show at the 3rd Street Gallery in Westcliffe. It was there that I made two new friends, Joni and Lolita. They both live in Pueblo. I told them that one of these days I needed to go and check out the art scene in their hometown. With this being said, they wanted me to be sure and call them when I came down so they could give me a tour and Mondays happened to be the best day for them.

... in the middle of working I decided to give Joni a call and see if she was busy. Of course she was, but when I told her that I was thinking of coming to Pueblo she said she would drop everything and be my guide. And that was the beginning of a great day!

Once I arrived, Joni took me to a fabulous little Mexican restaurant called Jose's on Union. I highly recommend it and can hardly wait until my hubby gets home so I can take him. After a delicious lunch we went to see a new ceramic co-op called Cup and Bowl, but they were closed. I believe their days of operation are Wednesday-Saturday, so I will definitely be going back, but from what I could see through the windows, I'm going to just love it!

We then went down the street a bit to a little piece of heaven, Latka Studios. It was there that Joni introduced me to her friends, Tom and Jean Latka. As I was walking through the beautiful garden entrance to the gallery/studio, I knew I was about to meet two very talented artists. Tom and Jean work in clay and glass. They were kind enough to show us what they were currently working on and invited us into their studio. As we were leaving, I was given a gift of Ceramic Extruding, a book that was written by both of the artists.

After we left the Latka's, Joni took me to Steel City Artworks, another co-op gallery for artists in Pueblo, the Sangre de Cristo Center for the Arts, and the Pueblo Art Guild in beautiful Mineral Palace Park.

I can't thank Joni enough for the lovely day I had! It was so much fun and a much needed break from the studio. Thank you Joni! xoxo

jars and vases

marboulous jar

R E D poppies vase

fallen petal jade jar

black bud vase

Art Bragging Question #7

Sooo much has happened this last week! I was featured on EBSQ not once, but twice! The first time was for my art blogging on Tuesday and yesterday my Gumdrop Bowl was featured as Art of the Day on the front page! And as if that wasn't enough to tickle me pink for the rest of the month, Lori from Sanderwood Fine Arts Gallery sent me an email asking if I would like to sell my pottery with them!

With all the excitement, I have neglected my art bragging project. So here is question number seven:

7. What new art or business skills have you learned in the last year?

This year I took the Flying Lessons e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts. It was such an amazing experience. I already had a jump start since I have been in business with KoiStudios for the past five years, but there were so many new techniques and ideas that made me approach certain things differently. It also made me realize that I'm not alone in this exciting, overwhelming passion of mine. Many many creative souls share the very same fears and ambition, but just aren't quite sure how to direct these emotions. Kelly guided us flyers in the right direction, UP! She shared tips and secrets that not just any successful artist is willing to hand over. So to answer this question a little more directly I would have to say this:

BLOG

• I learned to post more regularly on my blog. That I should be a little more insightful to my personal life, as well as my art. I also learned that the more you read other blogs and comment, the more you find you have in common with other people. The world is a big place, but the more we connect, the smaller it seems to get.

• I learned how to make a button for my blog! (Thanks Natasha and Kelly!) Now I can redirect more people to my work by sharing my button on myspace, my website, and blog.

NETWORKING.

• This is a very important skill to have and you can do this anywhere. Introduce yourself. Ask people about themselves. Get to know others and you'll be surprised how much they'd like to know you too!

Even though this isn't a business skill, I feel it is important to be recognized.
I learned that I don't have to declare just one medium to be an artist. It's okay for me to be undecided. I am still trying to find my unique style. I believe I have one in painting and sculpture, but I'm still working on it in my photography and pottery. Life is about growing and change and my art will evolve, just like everything else.

SHOUT o u t 2 JIMMY: H A P P Y bIRtHdAy brother

jim with his girls

Today is my little brother's birthday! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dearest Jimmm-my, Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

He turned 34 today. My how the years fly!

EBSQ featured blogger

I know, I've been a little excited the last few days about all the attention from EBSQ. But can you blame me??? Here's the link to the interview! Check it out and leave a comment! =)

EBSQ BLOG

Now it's time to get back to work. I had a great weekend camping with my hubby and pups. We went up to Monarch Park. My parents took me up there mushroom hunting last week. It's so beautiful! I had full intentions to paint, but all I did was hunt mushrooms and start on my new book by Kelly Corrigan, The Middle Place. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. I mean, today!

EBSQ FRIDAY FIVE

The Blu Poppies mug was chosen as one of the Friday Five for EBSQ today! I'm so excited and honored! AND Amanda wants to interview me for next weeks blog feature!!! Can you see me smiling from ear to ear? Stay tuned....and have a G R E A T weekend!

b o t a n i c a l @ muddypotts

bLu poppies mug

FERN vase

Gosh! It's been almost a week since I fired up the kiln!
I was so happy with everything that fired last night. Of course there is always that little blemish that drives me nuts or a bit of glaze that dripped onto a spot that wasn't supposed to, but that's just life. You can't have everything, well at least I can't and I've come to terms with that.

I noticed that I'm still plugging along with my art bragging questions. I'll try to get through them this week, but I won't make any promises.

Question #6 asks:

What career successes (education, exhibitions, collections, . . . ) are you most proud of having accomplished?

Can I simply just say ALL of them? Probably not, but it was worth a try. I'd have to start with my education of course. I learned so much from my professors and my peers, both at Mesa State and NYU. It was an amazing education that I wouldn't trade for the world. And you never know, I just might go back for a masters someday.

I have participated in many group shows, juried and non-juried, and had a couple solo exhibitions as well. All of them have been a learning experience, but I would have to say that the two solo shows that I've had were by far the most successful. They were a lot of work, but I can honestly say, I am proud of myself for sticking to it and creating a body of work in three mediums.

I am unaware of how many collections my art is in since I have been selling my work for quite awhile. I would like to say that I am honored to have any of my work in any one's art collection, whether it be private, small, or large.

one of those days...

I had big plans to get a lot of pieces made today, but usually when that happens, nothing gets made! My friend called me this morning to go for a ride, so we went for a nice 2 hour ride which gave me a much needed break from the wheel. I also ran some errands and then went back to throwing. I've only made two pots. Oh well, I guess that means I have no excuse to get my glazing done for the night. Procrastination must come to an end sometime I suppose...

PoPPy p a i n t i n g

I didn't realize how many questions there were for this Art Bragging Project I started! Oh well, it's still fun. I just don't want to bore anyone with it, so I thought I would try something a little different today.

Here's question #5:


What projects are you working on right now, and why are you enthusiastic about them?





*Sorry about the quality of this video. I haven't quite figured out my new computer yet!

Beauty of Today

Coneflowers by Stephanie Amos

© 2010

A Quiet Morning by Stephanie Amos © 2010

Pansies by Stephanie Amos © 2010

3rd Street Gallery

me, next to Red Wood, my newest sculpture

It has been a very busy two weeks, but now summer is slowing down and I'm getting back to my routine. Last week I volunteered to help with the Faun and Flora show at the 3rd Street Gallery in Westcliffe.

Morning Dew, Reflect II, and Dandylion

On Sunday my family and I went out on Lake DeWeese to do some canoeing and kayaking. It was a blast! It was my first time in a kayak and now I'm totally hooked. After our bout on the lake, we went into town for an ice cream and stopped by the gallery to see the show.

Bragging About Art: Question #4

4. What do you like/love about being an artist?

-the process of creating a photograph, from taking the picture to printing it in the darkroom

-"seeing" the image in my mind and then seeing it completed with my eyes

-the zone I get into when I'm working

-the materials I use: paint, brushes, clay, wax, marble, bronze, cameras, enlargers...They all have their own unique qualities that are so fun to work with.

-sharing my work with people all over the world

-making new friends with other artists at art shows, galleries, and online

-the freedom and independence to be creative everyday

-the diversity of tasks that are done throughout the day as a working artist

-learning new techniques and being stimulated by color and texture

-sharing what I have learned with other artists

Bragging About Art: Question #3

It's been a busy week! Here goes question and answer #3.

3. How did you end up becoming an artist? (a frequent topic of conversation)

To be very honest with myself and whoever is going to read this, I would have to say that the thought of becoming an artist came at a very young age. I remember looking up at a sunset one evening and thinking about how I would like to be a cloud painter. Since God has that job covered, I aspired to the next best thing...becoming an artist.

There have been several times in my life where I was too busy to create art. I was either working on a boat in Alaska or traveling here and there. But I never stopped longing for the time when I could be at home, working in my studio, day in and day out. I have been truly blessed to have the love and support of my husband who stands by me.

...I have been an artist my entire life. It is who I am and what I do.

Bragging About Art: Question #2

Okay, since I'm feeling a little ambitious about this exercise, here goes question and answer #2.

2. What are the ten most interesting things you have done or that have happened to you that have contributed to your art career?

1.I took as many art classes as I possibly could during my high school education. If I had any extra study halls or independent studies, I was in the art room.

2.When I was 19, I had quit college and went to Alaska to work on the Bering Sea. This venture was a big part of my life. 3 1/2 years later I decided full heartily to go back to school to learn all I could about art. I still remember the very day that I made that decision. It was as if God was sitting right there with me and we were having a real heart to heart on the deck of the Blue Wave.

3. In 1999 I went to school through NYU and studied abroad in Florence, Italy. There I took Masters and Monuments (the BEST art history course you could imagine), drawing from Roberto, photography with Alessandra, and Italian.

4. I jumped into 3d classes after my return from Italy at Mesa State College, where I completed my undergraduate studies. It was here where I grew as a young artist, finding myself through my art.

5. Making friends in the art community at home and throughout the world. This is a pretty broad statement, but it is one that is worth mentioning. Without other artists and the connections we make, my art wouldn't have been able to evolve into what it is today.

6. Learning how to navigate the Internet, working with social networking sites, blogging, creating a website...All of these have been significant to building a creative business and selling art online and in galleries.

7. I've had two solo shows that were both so much work and a lot of fun. I made sales, gained new clients, and learned that there isn't anything you can't do if you are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to accomplish your goal.

8. I have joined art guilds in my community. Volunteering. Networking. I can't say enough about it. You meet the neatest people, hear stories that are so intriguing. It is stimulating for the creative mind to learn something new. Why not learn from others that have the experience?

9. In 2004, I studied in Prague to teach English as a second language. It was there that I made lifetime friends, shot more images for my archives, ended a chapter in my life and started a new one.

10. I couldn't be where I am today without God and the love and support of my husband, family and friends. Without them, I wouldn't be me, and therefore my art wouldn't be either.

Boy! These are some tough questions! I wonder what's in store for tomorrow???

Bragging About Art: Question #1

I just read today's newsletter from Alyson Stanfield about a book called Brag! How to Toot Your Own Horn Without Blowing It by Peggy Klaus. There are twelve questions that are asked in a free questionnaire on Peggy's book website. Alyson shared it and now I would like to as well, only I am going to answer the questions as honestly as I can. I am not very good at bragging or talking about my art to someone I have just met and I thought this would be a great exercise for me and maybe help someone else along the way...


1. What would you and others say are five of your personality pluses?

Well, I could look up the top five personality traits from Google (which I just did), but that doesn't seem very fair. Off the top of my head, I would have to say that I am open minded, passionate, responsible, modest, and hard working.

How do these apply to my art you may ask?
As an artist, I believe that it is imperative to be open minded, like a pre-requisite. If you're not open minded, than how are you going to be able to create any art or enjoy the work of others?

I was going to say compassionate, which is definitely one of my personality traits, but I would like to add passionate for the sake of this exercise. I feel very passionate about my art even though I have a difficult time expressing myself. This is definitely something that I need to work on.

I am a fairly responsible person. A good trait to have when you have a creative business or are working with others on a collaboration, volunteering, or working in a gallery/museum setting.

Modesty can be good and bad. Good because you don't want to come off vain and brag about your art so much that no one wants to even look at it. Bad because you can be too modest and so quiet that no one even knows your an artist since you never even tell anyone.

Hardworking is one trait that I'm not afraid to talk about. I am a glutton for punishment when it comes to work. I love to work, whether it is at home working in the garden, doing housework, or working out in the studio. And this is good when you're an artist because there is ALOT of work always that needs to be done. And I love every bit of it!