New Work Taken to Made in The Maritimes, December 19, 2017

Here are pics of new sculptures which were dropped off last week at Made in the Maritimes Artisan Boutique's Hydrostone location.

Huge thanks to Joel for carrying my work for the first time at this most busy time of the year! This iconic business supports a multitude of Maritime makers at two excellent Halifax retail locations (The Hydrostone Market and Sunnyside Mall) as well as via their online shop.

All of these pieces are cone 6 stoneware, and were fired in my electric kiln with a variety of commercial and studio-mixed glazes, underglazes, stains and slips.  They range in price from $35 for the smaller figurines to $225 for the largest sculptures.  

Although I often work in series, these are all 'one offs' as I do not use molds, stamps, stencils or transfers of any kind.   

First up are 6 larger sculptures:

This fox is approximately the size of a large pineapple (I think), and is the tallest piece of the group.

Moose.

 Skunk holding flower with "Om" symbol carved into its haunch, rabbit holding flower with yin yang on haunch, "peace pig" and a sheep.

 Another view of the pig, which has a flower on its other haunch:

A look at the flowers the skunk and bunny are holding.  These were initially intended to be 'ring dishes'.

Next are two seagulls, a lobster, a whale and a shark:

Four fox figurines:

 Four sheep:

 Four crows:

Four Blanding's turtles.  This is a threatened species in Nova Scotia and the subject of habitat conservation campaigns by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust:

Four bears:

Three birds: (a chickadee, robin and bluebird)

Squirrel, deer and buffalo:

Four goats (three billy and one nanny), four chickens and a rooster.  When sculpting the chickens I thought if they were an Ikea item I would name them "Bok Bok" after the sounds real chickens make.

 And finally a couple of Easter chicks and Thanksgiving turkeys.

That's it!  Three cheers for everyone supporting the buy local movement this holiday season!

Now Available At Jenny Jib, July 17th, 2016

Here are pics of a few new figurines dropped off at Jenny Jib in Lunenburg on Friday, July 15th. There was also a large fox sculpture that I couldn't fit into the kiln - next time!

After dropping off this work I went to "Below Deck" for the first time - the area just around the corner from the main shop entrance where Jenny clears out older stock in the summer, 2 - 5 on Friday and Saturday afternoons.  Holy amazing bargains to be found down there!!! As the sign boasts 'up to 80% off'.  Well worth a look!

On to the pics... a whale:
 

Harp seal:

 Lobster:

 Seagulls, large and small

Two little fish



A group photo:

And finally, a small 'skulk' of fox figurines...


Where it takes awhile to fill up the kiln now, there are a few papier mache pieces I'm planning on making for the shop in the meantime as it has been awhile.

Now Available at Jenny Jib, December 7th 2015

Here are pics of the pieces that I dropped off at Jenny Jib in Lunenburg this afternoon! 

First pic is a stoneware Whale Tail Fruit Cake Stand, along with 14 egg nog/hot toddy cups with relief carvings: mostly whales and dolphins, one polar bear and one tree.  

We 'test drove' the stand in our kitchen and it is perfect for presenting a special fruit cake - the delicious one in this photo came from Lunenburg's Thursday morning farmer's market. 

 The stand is $125, foodsafe, with handwashing recommended.  Cups are $20 each, foodsafe, dishwasher safe, microwave safe.  They're an ideal size for a cup of Christmas cheer. 

Top of the Whale Tail Fruit Cake Stand

Before heading to Jenny Jib I stopped to get a few pics on the Lunenburg waterfront.

Lobster trap Christmas Tree that now adorns the Lunenburg waterfront!

There was a convenient stump nearby, a great place to get another photo of the Whale Tail Fruit Cake Stand

and here's a close up of one of the cups, with Christmas trees and the water of the harbour in the background

"Rodney the Walrus" selfie in front of the tree

Rodney's profile, with the harbour in the background

Next up are the ornaments, I took in 26 new ones to add to the ones left from the last firing.  

Like the others from this season, these are $25 each, and as always, are handsculpted/hand carved without the use of any type of mold.  Jenny also has an assortment of my older stoneware animal ornaments at $12, $15 and $18 each.

Three Killer Whales, aka Orcas.... "Orcaments!"

a close up of the orcaments - all of the ornaments hang nicely from trees, and come with a ornament hanging wire as well as a tag, but with the wind it was much easier to get photos with them resting on something

Three dolphins and two whales

Four humpback whales

A lion, a Christmas vulture and a camel.

the lion was my favourite ornament from this season

lion side view

Two pelicans, a crab and a swordfish

A cheery yellow seahorse

two sea turtles and a lobster

 

A fox, a bunny and a raccoon

Jenny Jib is open everyday up to and including December 24th for your holiday shopping pleasure!  

Hours are: 11-5 everyday until Christmas, shutting at 4pm on the 24th.  There are also some extended hours along with other Lunenburg retailers as part of Christmas in Lunenburg.   The shop is open til 8pm on Friday the 11th and 18th, and til 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday December 21st, 22st, and 23rd.  

As a "welcome, holiday shoppers" bonus, Jenny is offering her stylish regular stock tax-free during the evenings she's open 5 - 8.  This doesn't apply to consignment pieces like mine and other art, as her rate is already super generous!

Parking is free in Lunenburg for December, perfect for a relaxing, scenic seaside shopping trip away from crowds.  

As of Christmas day, Jenny Jib shuts down for the winter, with a spring reopening date to be announced. 

Works In Progress: Whaleware, A Skulk, and Relief Carved Bowls

I'm still working away getting things carved up for the next firing and thought I'd post some pics.  

I've really been enjoying myself! And waxing nostalgic that this fall will be 10 years since I started selling art, back in Regina.

I'm pleased to report that lately I've started feeling as excited about making art as I did back in 2005.  Hooray! It is so nice to feel this way again but now with lots more experience..

First up, some sitting fox figurines.   Apparently a group of foxes is called a 'skulk'.

Next, 3 Relief Carved Bowls.  These are new, and inspired by the happy outcome of the 2 relief carved vases in my last firing.  These are each a good size for serving or snacking.

The first is a fox chasing 2 rabbits, with some birch trees:

The second is a fox chasing a pheasant, with some cattails:

The third has 2 humpback whales and 2 peace signs, and is definitely for Jenny Jib in Lunenburg.

On the topic of Whaleware, there is also a sperm whale plate, that will be able to hang on the wall.  It's 11.5" long now but will shrink in the firing process.

And four more whale mugs.  I have a new blue stoneware glaze I'm excited to try with these!

This next firing will also have a big turkey and ornaments from this last post, as well as some other animal bowls and figurines that I won't photograph until they're done.  

For potters, or anyone, who gets tendonitis  - I can't believe I haven't had tendonitis flare back up from all this carving! I credit this powdered magnesium citrate supplement I started taking this year, Natural Calm which I picked up at the Healthy Bug in Halifax.  Apparently due in part to depletion of minerals in our soil from intensive agriculture, and our poor diets, magnesium deficiency is a widespread issue that can cause all sorts of symptoms, tendonitis being one of them.  Google 'magnesium deficiency' to learn more.  Eating more anti-inflammatory and/or alkaline food, along with doing yoga is probably helping too!