More Color

Here is another bunch of pots fresh out of the kiln. Playing with a few different colors and techniques. A couple of them worked. A few didn't. Oh well. Live and learn, eh?

Since I threw some new pieces this morning, loaded the kiln with another load and did most of my housework, I decided to come into town this afternoon. I had a pleasant surprise when I checked my inbox. A fellow artist friend, Cedar Lee, gave me a very nice recommendation on LinkedIn today. Here is what she had to say:

“I met Stephanie online and have known her as a fellow visual artist for the past several years. During this time I have watched the progression of her work, and I've observed that she is diligent and 100% devoted to her work. She is enthusiastic and positive, and loves sharing what she does with others--all wonderful traits in an artist.”

Thank you Cedar! It's been such a pleasure getting to know you and your work over the years. =)

That reminds me! You definitely have to go check out Cedar's beautiful landscapes and portraits at
www.artbycedar.com.

Finally Some Color!

I've been having technical difficulties lateley with my kiln, clay bodies, glazes, etc. Thanks to Josh at the ceramic supply store in Colorado Springs, I might have a few things figured out now. Thank you Josh!

I opened up the kiln this morning to some beautiful color! Thought you'd like to see for yourself

NOT what I hoped for!

Yesterday my new glazes arrived! I was so excited. They came a day earlier than expected. So last night, I glazed seven bowls and fired up the kiln. As usual, I could hardly wait to see the beautiful colors. To my surprise, it wasn't what I had hoped for. They look as if I just put them into the kiln! Immediately I reread the labels. Cone 6. Yup. I fired the kiln to cone 6 just like it said. I then went to the website I bought the glazes from. No new information there. Then I hop over to the website that produces the glaze. They say the best results are if you are using an electric kiln, to fire to a Cone 5 with a hold of 15 minutes. Alas, that is what I am trying to do now. I sure hope this works a second time around. I don't have time to experiment with new glazes and times right now! I'm not dissing these glazes by any means. I know it has to be me. I just need to know what I'm doing wrong.

smARTist Telesummit 2009 Press Release

Art Career Survival and Success:Imagekind.com Sponsors the smARTist® Telesummit – A Live, Online Art Career Conference to Help Artists Improve Their Careers, Sell More Art BOSTON, MASS – January 7, 2009 –A thriving art career is what visual artists dream of. Artists can learn how to create their dream careers by attending the smARTist® Telesummit, a 7-day, 100% online event to be held January 15-16 and January 19-23. “The smARTist Telesummit is the only professional art-career conference of its kind for visual artists – online or off,” said Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D, founder, organizer and host. “We’ve been doing this conference successfully for three years. Now, with a shaky economy to deal with, artists will derive more value than ever from the 2009 smARTist Telesummit.” Goodwin said every artist who attends will be able to access the conference’s eleven art career experts – “all in one online location.” Goodwin said 2009 marks a first for the conference because Imagekind (www.imagekind.com <http://www.imagekind.com/> ), the flourishing web community that sells more than one million fine art images created by more than 50,000 emerging and established artists, is an event sponsor. Imagekind gives artists and shoppers the ability to buy, sell and create framed art from their digital images. “Imagekind is excited to team up with smARTist for their third annual Telesummit,” said Eileen Bettelheim, the company’s marketing director. “The Telesummit presents a great opportunity for artists to take their art careers to the next level. This is what Imagekind is all about – helping artists sell their work online,” she said. “Visual artists will gain critical information about ways to succeed and survive at this year’s Telesummit,” said Goodwin. “Our roster of experts will present proven ways for visual artists to advance their careers and sell more art.” What will artists get by attending the smARTist Telesummit?· A complete art career conference in the comfort of their homes – 7 days of professional keynote presentations about a range of art career strategies.· Live access to 11 career experts and successful artists – and a chance to ask their most pressing questions – before, during and after the event.· More visibility for their art – artists can upload their profiles with images of their work, then link back to their websites and blogs.· Community connections – the smARTist Telesummit means a week to connect, share, give help and get help from other artists who also want success. What do artists say about their smARTist Telesummit experience?· John Nordell said he was “a complete skeptic” when he signed up for last year’s conference. “But there have been so many changes in my art career since attending . . . I just sent you a check today for the 2009 Telesummit.”· “It’s so great to feel connected to other art professionals,” said Robert Glover. “For so long I have felt I was taking on the art world single-handed.”· “I love that you are recording the sessions,” said Paula Zima, “Today I got stuck in town, but I didn’t panic because I knew I’d be able to listen to it later.” For more information about the smARTist Telesummit, how to register and what to expect when you attend, visit http://www.smartist-telesummit.com/. For available sponsorships, contact Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D at 413-659-3307 (USA-EST/NY).

FACEBOOK

I've been on Facebook for awhile now. But recently I discovered how to make a page. With this page you can promote yourself a little better without all the "fun stuff" that tends to clutter your presence. On this new page I will post new work, upcoming events AND will have a FREE giveaway of a signed and dated print to the first fan that mentions the offer each month this year. This is a new thing for me, but I want to give back to fans of my work. I've noticed a lot of my friends like my work, but don't have that extra cash for art. So I decided to offer this print as a gift. =) I'm hoping this will be a fun event that includes old and new fans alike.

If you'd like to become a fan of my work and have the opportunity to win a FREE print, sign up today!

http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?success=1&picture=&eid=42734763787#/pages/samos/39883324558