deborahgowerceramics

Its been a big couple of weeks in Lismore. At SCU we did an aluminium pour. Thanks to the tech guys for doing the actual pouring and Hayden Mathrick for his guidance and enthusiasm.

Lismore Regional Gallery had 2013 NSW Arts Funding grants session – Great to see Mayor Jenny Dowell there – She is a tireless supporter of the arts. Thanks to Brett Adlington Lismore Gallery and Arts NSW – Also had a fantastic cappacino at Palete Cafe beside the gallery and looked at 2 fab exhibitions by Steve Giese and Roland Harvey – currently exhibiting.

Saturday if you are on the Gold Coast – Erica Gray is giving an artist talk at 2pm this Saturday at the Lorraine Pilgrim Gallery opening, if you are out and about- drop over, it should be a great talk .
http://www.lorrainepilgrim.com/gallery/

And dont forget to see whats happening around the world at our favourite blog site http://www.mudcolony.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/document.html?m=1

Now back to my Lustre tests and assignments – Almost end of semester. Happy clay days everyone.

Well – So much to tell about the last few weeks.  So exciting my Banksia’s are in the Cube exhibition space at Byron Shire Council Mullumbimby until the end of May.

Check them out if you are in the Northern Rivers area.

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Canberra to Argue Objects at Australian National University.  It was awesome – 5000 word assignment still to do but when I was there we checked out the Australian National Gallery, Portrait Gallery and State Library Treasures Gallery .  While I was in Canberra, I had the good fortune to also see the Hyperclay exhibition at Canberra Potters at Watson Canberra. Oh and had the most awesome time doing some lustre tests with Greg Daly.

Catching up with some assignments for the next two weeks but don’t forget to check up on what is happening at Mud Colony

http://mudcolony.blogspot.com.au/2012_05_01_archive.html

Adriana’s Ramekins rule in Sydney, Ellen in Noosa has been updating the Harbourside Gallery, Anna is pouring mud in Sydney and cant wait to hear what  Katy is up to on the Gold Coast

Happy clay days everyone  Debby

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter.  I hope you get to spend time with family and friends.  If you have any spare time check out what everyone is up to at http://mudcolony.blogspot.com/

Adriana Christianson and Ellen Appleby always have something exciting happening.  Earth Fire Spirit – they have a copuple of new exciting projects they are working on.

I have been busy with the Uni paperwork but have also managed to make a few chatterboxes for an upcoming piece called “Chatter”.

Yes – my computer had a massive spac attack and so I have been technically quiet for awhile.  But a new computer arrived the other day and after getting it all together I am on line again.

A few weeks ago I went out and about in Cairns.  It is the one of the most beautiful places to relax and just enjoy the scenery. We managed to see some interesting sculptures at Barron Falls near Kuranda.

and if you are in Cairns truly you must see Nadia Searles Drifting in my own Land –  The exhibition is on at the Cairns Regional Gallery – and the artwork is stunning.

“Nalda Searles, Hybrid Stole for a wayward woman. 2008 Animal fur (found abandoned) mallee leaves, silk thread.   Nalda Searles: Drifting In My Own Land 10 February 2012 – 8 April 2012

This landmark exhibition – part retrospective, part new works – confirms Searles as an artist at the height of her powers. Over the past thirty years she has become respected and beloved Australia-wide as an exemplary maker, teacher and mentor, bridging indigenous and non-indigenous art worlds.

A touring exhibition managed and supported by ART ON THE MOVE. This exhibition is supported by Visions of Australia, an Australian Government program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of cultural material across Australia.”

http://www.cairnsregionalgallery.com.au/exhibitions.html

Anatasia is talking about Old and New, Katy has some great Thursday morning eye candy, and if you pop over later there will be more enticing ceramics to see and you can find out what else everyone is up to

http://mudcolony.blogspot.com.au/
happy clay days everyone
Debby

Mackay Council - exchange with Japan

This week I went for a fews days break to Mackay. Artspace is the Mackay Regional Art Gallery and the volunteer that was there on Australia Day was fantastic. She showed us around, gave us some background on the pieces and the art scene in Mackay and made our visit special. Volunteers can sometimes make or break an exhibition –
SO a huge thank you to all the volunteers in the art sector.

Then we went to the Council to get a bus timetable and stumbled across these wonderful porcelain items that came from a cultural exchange with Japan. You just never know when ceramics will give life to wonderful international exchanges of culture and understanding. Next time you are in your local council office look out for some art work you may not have seen before.

http://mudcolony.blogspot.com/

I know Adriana has some exciting news, Clare is going all revolutionary with a new project, Carolyn is somewhat whimsical and Anna is blessed by the generosity of other Potters. Cant wait for some more news
Happy clay days everyone
Debby

Today I have been doing my calendar this week and checking out some of the exhibitions/comps I might like to enter this year. I thought I would share some of my humble and fledgling experience on entering exhibitions:

Believe me I learnt all these the hard way (and a few more:):

Read the Entry Form and make sure you do everything they ask
Check the Rules/Regulations
Label your work and your packaging
If there is a theme stick to it
Try an unusual interpretation of the theme – gets you thinking
Make the deadline
Look at previous exhibitions and past winners
Just enter – you never know who will enjoy your work

If you have any thoughts that you want to share please post them

Happy Clay Days
Debby

http://www.art-prizes.com.au/

I came across this Art Prize site the other day as I was surfing the net – confined to air con in the heat wave that was last week.

And it got me thinking about why I enter exhibitions and competitions. So are some of my thoughts- please let me know your thoughts and why you enter –

# It gives me experience in making items to a deadline and maybe a theme
# Challenges me to do something different
# Makes you feel like I am part of something bigger – contributing to a whole ceramic/artist community
# Gives me an avenue to sell my work
# Creates an opportunity to meet other artists and ceramicists
# Gives me an idea of where my work is placed in the arts community

What are your thoughts on exhibitions/competitions – Please send me your thoughts = post a comment

Happy Clay Days
hugs Debby

PS: Next week I will share some of my learnings about entering exhibitions.

Hi everyone – wishing you all a wonderful 2012.

My year has started beautifully. I am honoured that Tammy Jo Potter has tgagged my name (along with lots of others)on her 365th cup for 2011. She really is fantastic – Check out her blog at http://www.hobbypotter.com/​365claycups_tammybio.html

I also have 2 pieces exhibtied at Byron Arts Classic – Byron Bay NSW. Congratulations to all the winners – It is a fantastic exhibition but ends today. http://www.byronartsclassic.com.au/arts_classic/index.html

Also check this out: It might be just right for you

ARTIST WANTS A LIFE – National Call Out | National Association for the Visual Arts Ltd
http://www.visualarts.net.au
National Association for the Visual Arts Ltd – Would you like to be part of ARTIST WANTS A LIFE, a unique arts lab that will take place in Central Australia in April 2012. ARTIST WANTS A LIFE, a lab run by and for artists, is open to practicing contemporary artists in any form or discipline

and whatever 2012 brings you – I hope it a creativley successful one

Happy clay days

Debby