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FEBRUARY 2024
Happy New Year!
I usually take some time off from working in the studio right after the Holidays, and then I am psyched to get going again. I basically trying to keep up with stocking two lines of work, the ARC WHITE and the WATER SERIES. Then, I have to have some side projects and variations going with that.
Last fall and into this spring, I have been teaching WHEEL FOUNDATIONS at the Clayschool Ithaca. There is a really nice cohort of students moving along with me on Friday mornings, whose efforts I enjoy and appreciate.
New this year is my involvement in a singing group called, “Rock Voices”. There is no judging, no competition, no points, no perfection, just light hearted energy, which is all that is called for at this time.
JULY 2023
This month brings my show, “IMPROV” to the Iva Smith Memorial Gallery in Hammond, NY. What a special and unique space. Also called, “The Yellow Barn”, the space is dedicated to creative expression. When you visit, you will feel the phrase, “Love, Music and Art Endures”, and there you may enjoy concerts, classes of all sorts, visiting artists, exhibits.
My show opened on July 9, and will be up until October 4, 2023. The body of work has to do with building forms with clay, expressing it’s qualities at various stages, from plastic to permanent. The forms are structural, sculptural, functional, and ALL WHITE.
Improvisation has it’s container, and mine, here, is apparent. So many ideas are flowing within these parameters, I look forward to getting back to the studio to explore the dimensions.
IMPROV will be on exhibit until October 4, 2023.
MARCH 2023
This is a year to refocus on what my work means to me. It is bringing me to less reference to imagery, more focus on pure form and design elements, expansion of techniques that allow me to alter and build, construct and deconstruct, construct and refine. In two words, play and improvisation.
I look forward to showing this new body of work at the Finger Lakes Pottery Tour, coming up June 10-11, 2023. Our area is a beautiful place to visit. They say there are 100 waterfalls within 10 miles. They also call the place “Nine Square Miles Surrounded by Reality”. I must admit that it does feel that way at times. Come visit Ithaca and see great pots!
MARCH 2022
I have been busy with a kitchen remodel. So that promises a backsplash tile project getting started soon. Yes, soon. Since the fall, I have been a trial member at the Ithaca Artisan Cooperative, called Handwork. Handwork has been around, offering hand made goods on The Commons in Ithaca since the mid-seventies and features some 40 artisan’s work. I’ve been slow to ramp up in the studio this year, and for the moment investing renewed energy into my acapella quartet, Vivace, and my banjo practice.
After being invited as a guest, last summer, this year, I am excited to return to the June 11-12, 2022 event as a full fledged member of The Finger Lakes Pottery Tour. There is a tremendous amount of talent within this 10 person hosting group, and we add 10 nationally known artists to the roster each year. See the website for more on the goodies.
SEPTEMBER 2020
I don’t need to tell you what a weird year it’s been. Early in the year, we traveled to New Zealand to visit our daughter, Kayla Ruth. We returned to Ithaca in March, in time to get acquainted with Covid. It took me awhile to be able to get back into the studio, but now I’m full on. The Ithaca Art Trail is now open, in a hybrid version of virtual events and some open studios, by artist choice. I have a separate entrance to my gallery and have chosen to be open. Masks are required, hands sanitized at the door. Contact me at 315-777-0612 to set up a visit. See the Greater Ithaca Art Trail for more information.
Additionally, my work is on display downtown, at the Hilton Garden Inn as part of their arts partnership in downtown.
There is a new outlet for work by ceramic artists of the Fingerlakes Region at the Potters’ Gallery in Penn Yan. The gallery offers ceramic work only, and a wide array of possiblities. I’m pleased to be a part of that venture and to see my work going out into the world from Penn Yan!
NOVEMBER 2018
My home gallery is open for business, and had a steady stream of visitors during the two open studio weekends for the Greater Ithaca Art Trail. In early November, I will be attending a conference given by NYFA, called Bootcamp for Artist Entrepreneurs, set up to help artists grow in their business knowledge.
I am just starting to get work happening at the Clay School, a wonderful community studio about 5 minutes from the house, as we finalize operations at the home studio.
The shop/gallery will be open to the public on Saturday, December 1, 11am-5pm. Come on over!
JULY 2018
We (Tracy and I) are nearly settled into the new place in Ithaca. We have managed to take bits of time to visit family who are now nearer to us, walk the trail at the end of our street, and enjoy what the city has to offer. One of our favorite places is Cinemapolis, the independent movie theater. But, oh, the music! The food!
My shop is now set up and open for business and I am thrilled to be a part of the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, a project of the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County. I look forward to getting increasingly involved with the community, and growing and learning as a result.
Connect with me any time by email or phone (315-777-0612). Please do visit and check out my shop, by appointment or during regular open studio days. The entrance is around the back of our place, at 130 Pearsall Place, Ithaca, NY.
Cheers!
~Kari