Thursday, April 23, 2009

Where have I been???

It's always amazing to me how quickly time can slip by. I swear I've posted more often, but it looks like I've transitioned from the once-a-week to the once-a-month blogging plan. But, despite my lack of posting, I've certainly been reading a lot of blogs these days! I think that may be the problem, I use up all of my computer energy reading a number of the wonderful blogs out there and I can't muster up the motivation to write a post myself. But, I've decided I need to get back on the horse and keep up with the posting - I really enjoy having a record of my progress in the studio and the wonderful feedback from this incredible online community. So here goes, back into the blogging waters.

I've been working lately with building up my surface through lots of layering. I think I'm moving in a more subtle direction with the oil related imagery because I feel like that is more true to how it exists in our lives - beneath the surface of a lot the things we rely on. I'm also thinking a lot about memory these days and how our brains are wired to lock onto patterns. So the oil imagery is positioned in a pattern in the background - maybe it will stick in my brain better that way!

Here's an example of my latest work:

And above is a close up of the oil tanker stencil in the background - I'll glaze this with something that will pool slightly in the recessed area so the tankers will appear subtly behind the truck stencil.

The canaries are a new development as well. I've been thinking about the way miners used to use canaries to indicate when conditions became unsafe in a shaft. Which led into how we are often terrible at perceiving when conditions become dangerous or unhealthy. I also enjoy how they are so cheerful and happy looking, but can indicate something ominous. I think these little yellow guys will be playing a significant role in my work from here on out.

And here is the back side...

I've continued to work with the corn series of work as well and am playing with new ways to integrate corn into my work. I have two versions I'm working with right now, one where the corn image is stamped into the surface and another where the corn is sprigged on top. Any opinions on which works better??

This guy is still waiting to be slipped (and I think I may add some wind turbine stencils in there somewhere).

A detail shot of the stamped in corn:


I am in love with the way these guys look on the inside, they make me want to crawl around and explore...
And here's the sprigged version, all slipped and ready for a top coat of stencils:

A detail shot of the sprigged corn:

And the underside...

That's it for now, I hope you all have a great weekend. Up next - glazed and fired pots!

10 comments:

Multiple personalities.. said...

Hi Kip! I'm glad to see you haven't fallen off the face of the Earth...beautiful work, as always. Can't wait to see the final products of these works in progress.

Ron said...

Kip, I like all the new developments. The canaries are a wonderful touch and I like what you have to say about them and how they relate to your 'message'. I think the sprigs and the stamped corn both work. Maybe do both for a while and see where it goes. I like the detail of the sprigs esp.
Look forward to seeing more.

ang design said...

howdy kip i was going to say i like the stamped corn but then i saw the sprigged so i guess both!! the detail is lovely, playing with the layering of all your imagery is a great development and the canaries are cool...a little side info for ya - a defect sticker put on your car by the police here is called a yellow canary..

Unknown said...

I like the sprigged corn the best. And I adore the yellow canaries!

-Rob, Simple Circle Studios said...

First of all, I love the layering you do with the stencils. It makes you work very interesting and fun to read. As for the corn, I guess it would depend on what you are after. The stamped kernels are more subtle and give more of a pillowy texture to the piece, which is nice. The sprigs are less pillowy, but come across more clearly as corn, which is also nice. I wonder if you could combine the two; use the sprigs to retain the definition of the kernels, but press them in deeper to get a more pillowy over all texture. I'm sure it will look great either way, though. Keep up the good work!

Kip said...

Thanks for all of the feedback, it's always so helpful to have other eyes on your work. I will keep plugging away with both versions of the cups - I like the idea of combining some elements from both cups... lots to think about, that's for sure! I'd like to add some handles on this form at some point too and see how they function as mugs.

Scott Minugh said...

The Corn cups are cool! I like the looks of the sprigged kernels from the outside, and the interior of the stamped cup. I also like the new shape for these cups with the corn kernels. Having said that, I think the shape of the previous cups worked really well with the decoration on them.

Looking forward to seeing the finished pieces, Scott

Anonymous said...

cool work... i like the corn sprigs better but the inside of the one where they're pressed in is dreamy. Canaries are a great idea conceptually and visually... looking forward to seeing the finished pots.

Judy Shreve said...

Kip - thanks for posting again. I'm late reading all my blogs -- seems like it works either way -- late posting or late reading . . .

Love the details & imagery on your new work -- keeping the oil rigs in the background is brilliant & the canaries offer cheer -- at first. Well thought out & well done.

Love the sprigged & stamped corn -- both could be part of a set -- with more of each added to the set.

Lots of great ideas!

Linda Starr said...

Love the canary, especially under your signature stamp - a little surprise underneath. Like the sprigged corn, for some reason I was thinking of candy corn when I saw them. Can't wait to see your new work fired.