North Shore Art
The other day we drove over to North Vancouver to see a new exhibit at the Museum: 'Entwined Histories: Gifts from the Maisie Hurley Collection'. It was the first day it was open. Featured are baskets, carvings and other First Nations artwork by the Squamish people, given to Maisie and her husband Tom for the advocacy work they did. That evening one 3/4 size mask was removed from the display, perhaps temporarily, over concerns of its ownership and spiritual privacy. I understand the move but would hope that we, the general public will be allowed to admire the mask once band members have decided on their policy for display of items like this. And in spite of its absence there are some other fine pieces of artwork to see. The show continues until Nov 6.
While we were on the North Shore we found our way to the 'Artists for Kids' Gallery, 810 West 21st Street, North Vancouver. artists4kids.com
I've wanted to find this collection of prints for some years. It's a fascinating initiative started some 20 years ago. Well-established artists are invited to sell a major piece of their work for the permanent collection. In return the artist then donates an image that is made into a limited series of prints which the Artists for Kids Trust sells. The funds generated go a large way towards funding an amazing Art programme in the schools of North Vancouver. Teachers bring classes in for a Canadian Art History lesson using the fabulous originals in the gallery and other classes are workshops based on some of the images in the collection. Over the years this resource has brought about the development of a big variety of Art experiences during school hours and in the holidays. In these days of reduced Arts funding from our Provincial and Federal Governments it is gratifying to see creativity in fund-raising and the exciting results.
Do make a point of finding this rather out-of-the-way facility. Our volunteer guide and major organizer of Artists for Kids, Bill MacDonald says that a brand-new Gallery to house the collection is to be built in the near future. It will be on upper Lonsdale and will be the main floor of a new Education Services Centre. Meanwhile there are tens of remarkable prints available for purchase. Go on line to read more and see what work is still there. Work by Bill Reid, Jack Shadbolt and E J Hughes are sold out but you can find a gorgeous calf by Joe Fafard, 'School Backpacks' by Gu Xiong and a recent Gordon Smith work amongst many others.
Short holiday in Mexico
We left 8 new jugbirds at Crafthouse YVR as we left for a week in Puerto Vallarta. So nice to have that done. On our return before the sun came up yesterday I was able to see how they are displayed!
The week in Mexico was lovely as a break from rain, some snow and greyness here. No internet, papers or phone, just warmth, photography, walking, reading and good company and no cooking. Puerto Vallarta is just right for a holiday - markets, shops selling 'artesanias', galleries, flowers and totally different birds. I'll post some photos in the next few days.
Meanwhile I have a request for a large 'Watering Canard' for Circle Craft, a vase for Eric Metcalfe to paint, bowls to make for a 'Gogos' fundraiser, and a Flicker jugbird. AND I've been invited to have some stoneware pots included in a salt firing in early March. So tomorrow it's back to the wheel!
Gillian making Jugbirds slide show
Today I opened my kiln. For the last two weeks I have been making jugbirds for the Vancouver International Airport Crafthouse gift shop. Along the way I took photos of each step and have now made a slide show of that.
January Sunday
Sunday evening. It's been one of those cloudless sunny but frosty Winter days, just above zero. The sun sets at 2pm for us. Damn the hill to our south at this time of year! We drove over to Burnaby Lake and enjoyed sunshine, a lovely walk and masses of water fowl until 4pm there. I had loaded my kiln with just one shelf - the 9 jugbirds, to be bisqued, just before we left. When they have been glazed I'll post the whole story of their fabrication later this week. The first photo shows a flicker jugbird with its base coated with terra sigillata before the bisque-firing.
The other photos are of Lafarge Lake, Coquitlam, yesterday and some ducks on Burnaby Lake today.
Time to start work in the studio again..
To start off the New Year here is a final beautiful tile from our Turkey holiday. On the last day in Istanbul we were taken to a smaller and exquisite mosque, Rustem Pasa, built in 1561. The elegant domed architecture was completely clad with these tiles, each wall a different design. They often depict Turkey's signature tulips and carnations. If I get a request in a comment to this post I will add one or two more!
William Morris admired Iznik tiles - isn't it obvious?
So far I have no leads on a gas-fired salt kiln so will not be making stoneware pots until I do. Meanwhile YVR/Vancouver Airport phoned to ask for 8 more of my colourful earthenware jugbirds on Dec 15th. What were they thinking! Now I have at least one good reason to get started back in my studio after the Christmas break - enough food and sloth! I have a plan to blog the process of making and slip-painting my jugbirds. Let's hope my one-handed photos of each stage will make for an interesting photo essay. Watch this space over the next week or so!
All good wishes to potters for inspiration, successful throwing, perfect glazes, amazing firings and the best pots you've ever made! As John Leach always writes: 'Potters of the World Ignite!'