Inspiration- Puffy Maps

 I can't get enough of these gridded population cartograms.  I want to sculpt them.  The shapes look like what happens when  uncatalogued insects mate with puffy abstract line drawings. I check-in periodically to see their newest map data mashups at  www.worldmapper.org.

Drawing bugs

I have decided that  I need to work on my drawing skills.  I will post a new bug line drawing every week.  Eventually I hope to draw them in black pen, but I need to get warmed up with a pencil and eraser first. I hope this doesn't bug anyone. :)

Wet work finished!

 After a day of attaching arms and looking for arm molds (Thanks John T. ) this is starting to dry.  I am bombarded with new ideas lately.  The idea fairies are circling and I love it.

In progress- getting close to finished

I made some more progress on this today.  Almost finished with the wet clay.

New work in progress

I started this piece before I left for KC. Can you spot the direct use of the aerial landscapes?  These forms are supposed to represent life preservers and will have little hands trying to grab on very soon.  Lately I have been thinking about the safety and well being of  the women in the Middle East and other war torn parts of the world. I keep reading horror stories about how rape is being used as a tool of war.  This feeling reminds me of how I felt when I started the series about the US bombing Afghanistan.  No matter how much I don't want to think about this, I need to make this work.

Inspiration- Somewhere over Kansas

 

Over the weekend I went to Kansas City to see my nephew graduate from high school. I LOVE aerial landscapes. I took a few pictures to use in future work.  I love the geometric patterns and organic shapes. The one in the middle looked like a giant plate.  We almost saw a tornado too.  Scary stuff!

My studio habitat

These are some recent shots taken at my studio.  I needed to take a few pictures for a (hopefully)soon to be printed article. Does this count as "from the desk of", Jesse? My desk is cluttered and dusty, but it works for me!

Inspiration- Shades of pink

Pink?  Hell yea!  I love pink because it makes me think of internal organs, lips, and sunburns.  I love how pink can make you squirm.

Inspiration- Bumpy Corals

Loving the ricordea coral. I think I need to plan a snorkeling trip.  Any suggestions?

Inspiration- Spooky Flowers

Look at these wacky flowers and tell me that nature doesn't have sense of humor. 

Finished!

  I pulled this one out of the luster firing last night.  It feels finished.  I am excited about how the surface texture creates movement and reflects the light. Shiny and bumpy overload.

Work in progress

   Almost there..hopefully only one more firing for this piece.  The curvy lines coming out of the silver center will also be white gold. This one is inspired by melting glaciers. 
   I was pit firing at Merritt College today.  I love my students and can't wait for "Christmas" tomorrow.

Inspiration- Mondo Magic

My favorite designer last season on Project Runway was Mondo Guerra.  I love the way he mixes prints and patterns.  Orchids are a perfect source for this sort of mixing.  I found these today and now have a new favorite orchid the dendrobium spectabile.

Motivation and Inspiration- Cappuccino

I heart Stumptown!

I don't know about you but I have a serious coffee habit. I savor the fancy roasts from places like Ritual Coffee Roasters and Four Barrel Coffee, but I am also there for the foam art.   Some baristas have a magic touch.

Inspiration- Gelato

Aside from the fact it is delicious,  gelato is beautiful.  The texture is very slip like and the colors are amazing.  I love the movement and sensuous curves of gelato mounds. The flavor embellishments  and fruit patterning are usually exciting and dramatic.  Sometimes the presentation just blows my mind.  Las Vegas has the best gelato displays.  Check them out next time you go.

Inspiration and contrast

 

Yareta is a tiny flowering plant native to South America.   I love the way it covers organic shapes and creates contrast on the dry landscapes.  I plan to see this in person someday soon.