Gallery Demo

Well, the past few weeks have been scheduled almost to the minute.  With running the kids from activity to activity, getting the new booth shelves finished, attending a workshop, and now preparing for a gallery show starting in a few hours.

The ice storm a few weeks ago stopped us in our tracks waiting a week for electricity, but we have met all deadlines so far. Whew!  Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, our bisque shelves are empty.  I guess the next two days doing demos at the gallery will have to go to replenish the stock.

Also with all the rain, the fire danger may be down enough to allow us to do a pit fire.  We did not do any last year and the selection of pit pots is very limited.  I hope I can get enough thrown before it gets too dry.

Its been several, several weeks since I've spun a pot.  I hope I don't make a fool of myself throwing in front of an audience.  I will have my trash can close just in case.

Holiday Open house update.

Been distracted lately, or busy not sure which.  With the upcoming Holiday Open House in December we decided we needed to refresh the studio/gallery/basement before too many people saw it.  I mean we have had a few people over to purchase pieces, but it was not pretty with the holes in the walls, dingy lighting. 

Well we started by recycling some old barn siding from my Grandparents barn that was torn down about 20 years ago to give a real rustic feel to the wall separating the kids area and the studio.  Gives it a separate feel.  I got the idea from the recent home builders parade of homes, and it was used in a very high end home that was the feature home this year.

I then put us white masonite on one wall in the studio behind the drying / slab rolling table.  Its not that this wall got that dirty, but there were several holes in the drywall, and this way it will be easy to clean.

In the actual gallery area, we moved all the pieces out, and then the shelving, repaired one wall and covered the others with drywall, so instead of looking at framing studs there will be a wall.  It already looks better, and it is only mudded, no paint yet.  Speaking of paint....found plenty at the reuse store for free!  Once the walls are ready, i'll prime and start painting. and get everyting back to normal.  Since we realized we need more pots for winter.

Our gallery in Bemidji, MN nearly ran out of pieces, so we sent a shipment this week.  I am happy to report for the 1st time everything arrived as it was shipped no breakage.  We switched to Fed Ex, not only less expensive, but higher survival rate.

We do have a shipment ready for Piper Gallery here in Sioux Falls, so be checking there soon for fresh inventory.

popularity of old work

It was very odd last weekend at ArtRocks and I have been thinking about it all week.  The pieces that created the most buzz and got "petted" the most were from a couple years ago.  They were foil saggar'd tiles in wide wood frames I had made from scrap wood.  Even a couple of fellow artisans who see at many festivals over the summer commented on them.  I had these in a box for the last year or more, never even crossed my mind to grab them, but I did for ArtRocks to save space.

I will bring them again next weekend(Sept 10) to Sidewalk Arts, but it was just odd how pieces from a few years back, and didn't go over very well then, made and impact now.  Here is a photo of a group of them.

I remember reading a post on Ceramic Arts Daily from Chris Campbell regarding the sensation of people asking for her old work.  I guess I know what she meant, not that I totally understand it.

Also its that time of year to look at expanding our gallery representation, which is something i've neglected over the past year or so.  We would like to keep within a 4-6 hr radius from Sioux Falls, but may consider elsewhere.  So if you know a gallery looking, or would like to see our work locally where you live, help me make a connection.

Website

totally rewrote the home page and working on redoing some of the others. The processes page has been changed to an overview of atmospheric firing , the sub page of pit firing has been re written with lots more detail, and more detail to come, the education and contact have been separated. I will add a book list and links as well as a description of each of the work shops.

Anything you'd like to see? let me know.

Anyway, tomorrow is the trip to Omaha with a few platters and our "Sun." I'm withholding pics until after the show opens. For those of you who were in Bemidji, you got to see it's sister piece in our booth, it received several compliments, but the real sun didn't shine long enough for anyone to take our home with them.

Still mentally hashing out studio redesign...do I us money to make the studio pretty, or do i use it to make the antechamber look better for the open house....still have to think on that one.

Whew...

My mind is seriously drained. Over the past 53 hours or so I have built a website, made several modifications, opened an etsy store, and set up payments through paypal, worked W2 in emergency services during a flash thunderstorm/flood where people have no problems driving through flooded streets and upset when their car and belongings cannot/will not be rescue until water subsides, couple structure fires caused by lighting, cars falling into construction holes and man holes were the lid blew off, plus the normal day to day things of being a father and husband. Tonight I have meetings and back to W2.

I did make it into the studio for a short period today, I worked on sealing a couple pieces in tung oil, a new process I'm trying. Also added a google+1 button to the website and began working on making it more search friendly.

My brain is still working the details on a couple new designs, one would be a customizible series and the other new design for my new found, but rarely seen (yet), expression pieces. One will be going to White Crane Gallery in Omaha next week.

Also while sitting sealing pieces i began to rethink the studio layout. I need to think a bit more on that for a while. trying to determine if I should rebuild my drying table for one that has more room, but sacrifice my space for a future slab roller. Definitely need to think on that for a while.

White Crane in Omaha

Just delivered this week, several new pieces from last weeks firing ended up at White Crane Gallery in the Old Market district in Omaha. Be sure to check them out if you are in the area.

Opening

Anyone in the area of Worthington, MN is welcome stop by and visit the open house at the Noble County Arts, in the basement of the library. It runs from 1-4 pm, and is showcasing its annual spring show. I know when I dropped off our pieces this week I saw several nice pieces of art I am looking forward to checking out closer when they are displayed. Hope to see you there.

Piper Custom Framing

Just delivered a load of new pieces to Piper Custom Framing, Jon and Beth do a great job down there. If you are in the area check it out. Or you can order online from them as well. Just click on their link on the left.

Made in South Dakota

Up in Smoke Pottery is now available online through Made in South Dakota. It is part of the State's Tourism department. The site itself has lots of interesting and unique South Dakota made products. Here is the link to my store, I do offer free shipping at this time.

www.upinsmokepottery.madeinsouthdakota.com

I also am putting a link in the links category.

Bemidji Community Arts Center

Well, spent between 12-13 hours in the minivan on Friday for a trip to Bemidji, MN. We went up to deliver some fresh pieces to the art center. It was really a beautiful drive and encourage anyone to hasn't driven there. We didn't spend much time there just straight up to the gallery and back, with a brief stop in Fargo for some Christmas shopping, and then back home. Yes Christmas shopping. Anyway here is the link to the art center in Bemidji.... www.bcac.wordpress.com

Representation in Omaha!

Up in Smoke Pottery now has great pit fired pottery and saggar fired pottery in Omaha, Nebraska! We have reached an agreement with White Crane Gallery in the Old Market District in Omaha. It is a awesome little shop in the passageway. If you are near Omaha, it is worth a visit.

Good News

Up in Smoke Pottery is in negotiations with a long standing gallery in Omaha. We will keep you posted as it progresses. Also don't forget Art Rocks in Luverne, MN is coming up on Aug. 22. It will be held on the courthouse lawn this year. I believe I heard there will about 22 artists on the lawn, and there is a separate show at the coffee house with a few more. Look forward to seeing you there!

Brookings Summer Art Festival

Thank you for everyone who came out and saw our work. It was a great weekend and we enjoyed talking with you. Now we are getting ready for ART ROCKS in Luverne, MN on Aug 22nd. Hope to see you there. In the mean time you can view my work at these fine galleries...

Piper Custom Framing in Sioux Falls, SD http://www.pipercustomframing.com/
Prairie Moon Gallery in Luverne, MN http://www.prairiemoongallery.com/
Shop 426, Bemidji, MN http://www.bcac.wordpress.com/

It been crazy this week and I believe the next couple weeks are going to the same if not worse. I am currently spending any/all free time in the studio trying to have enough pieces for a couple pit firings to fill the vacancies in some of the galleries. Speaking of galleries, Remember Friday night in Cedar Falls is the open house, come if you are able. Also we delivered a round of fresh work to Piper Gallery here in Sioux Falls. Check them out at http://www.pipercustomframing.com/