Bumpy and Shiny

Work in progress-drawings

2012-02-25T23:38:00.000-08:00

Egypt

Iraq

These are contextual drawing for my Ruby's show. I am having fun doing them. They seem so much easier than clay.
I had a kiln melt down this week and I am traumatized. Maybe I should become a mixed media artist?

New images of finished work-Cartograms

2012-02-07T23:18:00.000-08:00

UAE

Syria

Yemen

These are the newest pieces fresh from the kiln. I have several more in the works for my show at Ruby's in March. The clock is ticking!

Work in progress-Cartogram drawings

2012-01-11T23:14:00.000-08:00

These are the simplified drawings that I riff off of when I go from 2-D to 3-D. The translation has to be simplified and each one has elements of the others but I hope they are different and unique. I am working on a large Yemen, as well as Iran and Iraq. I hope I make the deadline!

Work in progress- Yemen

2012-01-02T10:53:00.000-08:00

More cartograms. This one is Yemen. I am learning about firing things without feet. I decided to build a stand out of clay to fire it on. I don't want it to fall over like the UAE did!

Work in progress- Libya

2011-12-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

Here it is almost finished. I just need to fill in some of the connections and finish the open area at the bottom. Yea!

Work in progress-Libya

2011-12-16T13:16:00.000-08:00

This work in progress is feeling a bit out of control at the moment. Yipes!

Finished Work- Photographed

2011-12-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

Egypt

Libya

Unraveling

I am excited to get these new pieces photographed. Thanks to Jay Jones.

Work in progress- UAE

2011-12-11T23:31:00.000-08:00

I think the wet work is finally done on this one. I just have to let it dry very slowly. On to Libya. I hope the building goes faster on the next one. This took a several days for the detail work.

Work in progress-Cartograms

2011-12-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

I just started working on this series again. This one is the United Arab Emirates. The bottom image is a test drive of the surface. I am hoping to finish the surface today. Wish me luck!

Inspiration- Santa's Hat Brownies

2011-12-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

Aren't these just amazing? I love how the red contrasts with the brown and white. I might actually make some. If you are interested here is a link to the recipe. http://daisyt13.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/santa-hat-brownies/

Inspiration- Weird Christmas card story

2011-11-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

I love this crazy Christmas card and the story behind it is so wild. Check it out here. http://www.bradmcginty.com/?p=1366

Finished Work- Love Bugs

2011-11-23T11:20:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of the finished Love Bugs. Sorry the picture is not great. I took this on the fly just before I dropped them off at the Gems show at Benicia Arts. I have 2 more still in progress that I will post soon.
I am also working on some tiny 2" x 2" foil and tape pieces which I am including in this post. I am enjoying experimenting with the foil.

Work in progress- another Love Bug

2011-11-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

I am having a slow studio month, but wanted to post this little bug. I am going to have several of the Love Bugs in Gems: Exquisite, Intricate, Intimate Small Works of Art at Arts Benicia next month. I have to drop them off Monday so I better get moving. Here is the link to the show if you want to check it out. http://artsbenicia.org/events.htm

Inspiration- The beauty in honesty

2011-10-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html
Having been depressed a few times myself, I love how she is able to share the depths of the despair with humor and honesty.

Collaborations

2011-10-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

This table is a collaboration between my friend Michael and I. I made the tile and he built the table. I think he did an amazing job. I get to see it in person this weekend. I can't wait.

The SFSU Ceramic Grads at CAA 2011

2011-10-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

I love this pic of all of us at the Ceramics Annual of America.

Tiffany, Jane, Jeff, Pancho, Gail, Bill, David, Shen, Me, Paula, Michelle, and Steve. (Where are you Tomo?)

New Work in Progress- Love Bugs

2011-10-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

These are fun little pieces. I am sort of obsessed with that rolled keraflex. Can you tell?

Inspiration- Diatoms

2011-10-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

I love the shape of these diatoms. Would they be possible to sculpt? I might have to try....

Keyboard Humor

2011-10-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

I think most people can say that life has been more then a little hectic lately. I have missed adding new work but have been busy installing, delivering, and showing work. I can't complain about this but am craving some quality studio time.
I thought the cartoon above was a hoot. I hope you do too.

Micro Inspiration

2011-09-26T23:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.nikonsmallworld.com/gallery

You know it has been a rough day when you eat cheese for dinner. It was delicious, and I do feel better. A special shout out to Trader Joe's goat's milk cheddar.

Finished Work- Unraveling

2011-09-20T23:17:00.000-07:00

After slight disasters I think this is going to work. I am trying to glue it to the base with pc 7. The southern ice in cone 10 oxidation is amazing (the base is a chunk of it). It sort of glazes itself with a satin sheen. Yummy. The keraflex is fragile but hopefully it will glue and stay put. We will know tomorrow.

Work in progress- mucho Keraflex

2011-09-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

Many layers later I think the center is finished. I started a base tonight out of my last bag of Southern Ice. Sadly they are not importing that amazingly white clay to the US anymore. I think it will be just as white as the Keraflex. I hope it all comes together. I fired a sample in a gas reduction. It was sort of blueish, so I think I will stick with cone 10 oxidation. Whew!

Inspiration- Sloth

2011-09-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Journal of Illustrated Science: Totem Animals: Sloth:

I love this drawing and read the post if you are interested in the unusual sloth/moth symbiosis. Fascinating!

Inspiration-Microscopy

2011-08-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

Bacterial root nodules

Cross section of a root

Tabellaria

Another blog I love is botanist Phil Gates' beyondthehumaneye.blogspot.com/. The beauty and complexity of these microscopic images are my creative fodder.

New work in progress

2011-08-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like everything is unraveling? Lately I feel this way pretty often. Not that it is a bad thing...it is just unsettling sometimes. I have had this paper clay esque material in my studio for a while. I am using Keraflex porcelain. When you soak it in water it gets very pliable and feels like wet noodles. I love how it looks when you tear it.

Workshop results

2011-08-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

I just finished a 4 week intensive with Scott Jennings. It was so fun to be a student! I love his work and think I can incorporate his techniques into my own style. The glaze colors match the shirt I am wearing right now. Too funny.

New images of finished work

2011-08-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

Life Savers

Waving, Not Drowning (top view)

Waving, Not Drowning

Pollinating Democracy

Watching the Melt

Many thanks to my photographer J. Jones. He is amazing and makes me look good!

Glazed flower

2011-08-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well it did run like hell and I had to buy my studio mate a new shelf, but I think it worked out pretty well. I am still thinking of putting a layer of pearl luster over the dark areas in the center. The idea is to have it look like an oil spill reflecting the sunlight. But... I am still not sure.

Work in progress-in the kiln for the glaze firing

2011-08-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

Fingers crossed that this doesn't run like hell.

Work in progress- In the kiln

2011-07-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

Today with my studio mate Bryan's help, the flower made it into the kiln. I thought ahead and built this on a big kiln shelf. The next step is drying it out at 110 degrees for several hours, then we are ready for the first firing. I am so relived that it made it all the way to the bottom with minimal damage. Thanks Bryan!

Work in Progress-Flowers

2011-07-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

I made some changes today. I think the center works better this way.

Work in Progress- Revisiting Flowers

2011-07-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

This piece is part of the "waving not drowning " series. I never was completely happy with the past flowers so I thought I would make another one. This one is 22" around. I hope it makes it through the firing and that I can lift the kiln shelf I built it on!

Research-Transformations

2011-07-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

I found these surfing around the web. I think I like it conceptually, but this is also a very obvious choice. I need to do more research and to throw a bigger net.

Inspiration-Commonwealth

2011-07-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

As you know I am a big fan of food art. Tonight we went to gastro heaven. Commonwealth on Mission and 18th St. The top image was my first course which included; porcini mushrooms, corn, snap peas, smoked turnip, puffed amaranth, sheep’s milk veil. Sheep's milk veil? Whoa! I want to eat there tomorrow night too! http://www.commonwealthsf.com/

Work in progress- Reaching for a title....

2011-06-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the first glaze firing is pretty good. I think it needs more...but I always do. :) These pieces seem so dark I thought a lighter title might help. The other option is Waving Not Drowning which is also a poem by Stevie Smith. http://www.artofeurope.com/smith/smi1.htm (thanks to Emily Santiago for the poem reference) I am thinking about what the third piece will be. I like to work in series of 3. Life perservers, tornados, and ?

New work

2011-06-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

I painted their fingernails today. The hands on this piece all belong to women.

Work in progress-Another firing

2011-06-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

This is firing number .... well let's not talk about it too much. :) I like the surface. Just trying to decide if the hands need something more. I was thinking of putting nail polish on the finger nails to let folks know these are women.

Inspiration- Oyster Dress

2011-06-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

I have to say that this blows my mind. It is so incredibly beautiful and inspiring. Check out the MET link for the details. I took down the pic to because of the copy write. I highly recommend clicking on this link.
http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/oyster-dress-irere/

Work in Progress- Glazing

2011-06-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Glazing can be fun but it can also be brutal. This was brutal. Sometimes putting off making a decision bites you in the ass later. You would think making the red strips would not be a big deal but it was. I have already fired this once. We will see how many times it goes into the kiln. My guess is many. :)

Process-Tests, tests, and more tests

2011-06-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

Now I am trying out some different formats. On the larger one I did inlay with the lines. You can't see it yet, but you will once I get it fired. I think the little Yemen is quite cute. It really needs a texture makeover. It can happen now that I am done with my sillybus for tomorrows class. Yea!

Working it out- Birthing a new idea

2011-06-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

Tunisia

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

If you have been following my blog you might remember the World Mapper images I posted a while back. I printed maps of several of the countries struggling for regime change and have had them hanging in my studio. I have been thinking about how to develop this body of work. I enlarged them and did tracings to help me understand the lines. (Strange I know, but it works for me.) I see abstracted butterflies and insects. I am going to start researching cocoons and see where that takes me.

Work in progress-Pink melting glaciers

2011-06-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

I am not sure about this one. It sort of feels finished and is a companion piece to be shown with the green one I did a while back. Sometimes I have to sit with them a while and see if they are finished. I was hoping for a more sparkly pink and this is what happened. I might put a coat of pearl luster over it. I am not sure yet.

Bug of the Week- Da Bee

2011-06-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

I went a bit crazy with the bee drawings. It has been a bee filled week. After the swarm at my studio Tom and I saw a swarm in the Castro on 18th Street. People had to stop and wait for them to be on their way. I have never had so much bee action in my life. I even drew one when I was drunk. Too fun!

Work in progress

2011-06-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

Today was a good studio day. Juan was working too. I am having fun with the porcelain. I am down to my last bag of Southern Ice. I love mucking around with slip. I was covered with it in about 2 seconds. I think the wet work is done on this one.

Bug of the week- Da Fly

2011-06-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

I was slightly grossed out while I drew this. I think it was the tongue and all of the little hairs that pushed me over the edge.

Inspiration- Group insect movements and the shapes they create

2011-06-04T23:58:00.000-07:00

Night vision image of Monarch Butterflies

A few days ago a swarm of bees flew over the massive roof of my studio building and parked themselves in the vents above one of the live-work spaces. My studio is in North Oakland at Alcatraz and Sacramento. Not exactly a rural spot. This made me start thinking about the shapes groups of animals or insects make when they travel or move into new homes. For some reason it is easier for me to research these forms thinking of bees and butterflies. The mass movement of humans gives me pause.

New work in progress

2011-06-03T00:27:00.000-07:00

This one is finally moving along. I had to let all the rings get to the same level of dryness. Fingers crossed it stays standing up over night. I have some props strategically placed just in case. I think that the recent tornados have entered my subconscious. It was so much fun to add the texture. I hope it gives it some swirling motion. Tomorrow I sort out the inside.

Inspiration- Puffy Maps

2011-05-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-05-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-26T23:02:00.000-07:00

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

New work in progress

2011-05-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

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

Inspiration- Spooky Flowers

2011-05-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

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

Finished!

2011-05-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

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.

Influences- Painters and Color

2011-04-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about painterly influences lately. Nolde, Lam, and Ernst came to mind right away. I now realize my choices have a to do with their bold use of color and emotional content. I must admit that those painful art history lectures were worth the time.

Mossy Easter

2011-04-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

We visited friends in St. Helena today. The meal was amazing and the moss was falling off the trees. I gotta say I'm liking the lichen.

Freaking finally....

2011-04-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

This piece has been bugging me for a while now. I have luster fired a few times without excitement until now. It suddenly just pops. I love gold luster but wish gold was not so expensive. One tiny bottle of the tarnished gold was $46.00. Shocking when you need two bottles to get the job done.

Maquette of the day

2011-04-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

Working it out mini style.

Texturize me

2011-04-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

More fun textures and my new favorite website for pics is http://www.naturephoto-cz.com. They have fantastic images!

Sputnik Lives

2011-04-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Finally finished this one. Whoot! This is the first of my new Virophage series. The title Sputnik references the name given to the first found virophage. My virophage has evolved to attack the virus causing violence in my Mission Dolores and North Oakland neighborhoods. This heavily magnified sample was taken from a pool of oil in front of my studio at 62nd and Market Street. If you are interested in the science end of it here is a link. .http://www.virology.ws/2011/03/22/virophage-the-virus-eater/

Texture Mania

2011-04-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Are you obsessed with texture? I am. Nature is one of my favorite sources. I am always trolling for the next cool bumpy thing.

more in progress

2011-04-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

Today was a nice day in the studio. It was the rare day that all three of us were there. I love my studio and studio mates. I carved away on this and added another layer. I think it needs a bit more tweaking and it will be ready to dry. I often wish it could stay in the wet state forever. It looks so alive. Alas...

New work in progress-Waiting for the glaciers to melt series

2011-04-16T22:29:00.000-07:00

I love going to the studio after a few days away because I can focus and be productive. I put this together today. I found the Everest maps while I was packing boxes at my house this week. I also completely forgot that I made copies of all of the maps about four years ago. How useful to plan that far ahead. Sometimes things turn up at just the right moment. I did some sink drain research today too. Fun stuff.

My "Chocolate Art" allocation has arrived

2011-04-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

These days I am very excited about artisan chocolate. Each piece is a little beauty filled with amazingly unique flavor combos. The one I ate today is in the lower left corner. It contained pink peppercorn infused ganache with Michel Cluizel Mangaro from Sambrano Valley(an award winning chocolate) in a dark chocolate velour shell. It was so rich I could only eat a small bite. I will sneak up on the rest of it later.
I found about about la forêt and their seasonal allocation from tasting table SF. I cant wait for the summer batch. Drool....
Their website if you have an elastic waistband like I do is http://www.laforetchocolate.com/

More inspiration Sin-ying Ho

2011-04-13T00:55:00.000-07:00

Blog hopping I found this amazing work. She is featured at SOFA NYC. http://www.sinyingho.com/portfolio_1

A virus eating virus?

2011-04-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you just have to ask the right person and your path takes a great turn and you are off and running? This happened to me today. I have been working on a virus series for a while now. Conceptually it is unfolding, and has to do with being in Oakland, Memes, contagion, and community. I lot of things to stuff into a body of work and maybe why it is taking so long to work out. On a whim I texted an old grade school friend for ideas and this lead me to virophages. Basically these are viruses that live off of other viruses. How cool is that? So many possibilities and directions I can hardly contain myself. Also today my neighbor the graffiti artist came by and said he will help me with the writing on these pieces. I have been waiting three months for him to get back into town. A good day all around! Here is the article if you are interested. A big thanks to Michelle.
http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-virus-eating-virus-antarctic-lake.html

Sweet Baby Feet

2011-04-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love baby feet? These belong to Ellie. She is new in town and just getting started. I can't wait to see where they take her.

My art cadre

2011-04-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

These are some of my favorite people. You need your art possy. They have your back, give an honest critique, and good hugs.

Aerial landscape or Wild Mouse?

2011-04-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

These images are thin sections of electron microscopy of diaphragm (skeletal) muscles from wild type mice. Don't they look like aerial landscapes? I love how one image can work on several levels. If you like looking at cells check out http://www.cellimagelibrary.org/.

Driving my work around

2011-04-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

Today was about transporting work. I have a show in Sacramento, so rather then mailing it I drove. Everything is so green right now. It doesn't look right. Where are my brown grasses? The good part of the trip was a quick visit with the show curator Tony Natsoulas. I am attaching a pic of his Ed Roth sculpture and a fish that came home with me. I am so excited to have a piece of his work! You can check out his website at http://www.tonynatsoulas.com/

New work

2011-04-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

This sketch is a starting map of my next piece. So many decisions... and drawing is much faster than scrapping a sculpture in progress. (Although it is tempting to just dive in!)

Some more cool blogs and websites to surf.

2011-04-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

http://journalofillustratedscience.blogspot.com/

http://www.neatorama.com/

http://www.inventables.com/

Working on the house and writing curriculum are fun but I miss my studio..... and my sanity!

First glaze firing

2011-04-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

I am mostly happy with how this came out, but might fire it one more time to get the bronze glaze to pop a bit more. You can tell what a great job my photographer J Jones does when you look at this taken by my iphone.

Ammonites fossilized in pyrite

2011-03-31T23:45:00.000-07:00

I found heaven at Paxton Gate yesterday. Have you ever seen ammonites fossilized in pyrite? So yummy I had to restrain myself because the one I wanted was $60.00.

Da Girls

2011-03-30T05:26:00.000-07:00

The expressions on these ladies faces crack me up. I love doing collage and sometimes I just have to paint for a while.

bumpy shiny glazes

2011-03-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

North Oakland Virus Series

2011-03-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

I am waiting to get this tagged by my neighbor on the gold... so this is still in progress.

Mushroom inspiration

2011-03-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

Some mushrooms have great textures and color combos.

Glaze in progress

2011-03-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

This piece is about 32" long and seems to be taking a long time to glaze. I hope it works!

In progress

2011-03-23T22:33:00.000-07:00

super detail of Waiting for the ice to melt

2011-03-23T14:15:00.001-07:00

Waiting for the ice to melt....

2011-03-23T13:57:00.001-07:00

New Work

2011-03-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to start a blog to keep myself creating everyday. I will be posting works in progress and new work as it is completed. I hope you enjoy seeing the process.