AA2A - Glazing work

Been busy testing out some decoration using Amaco underglaze crayons that I bought years ago. These crayons are really difficult to get hold of now so I'm going to try making some of my own, I've just found a recipe! In the meantime I've glazed these first attempts and I'm happy with the way they have come out...

STUDIO - A1 Portrait Purchase

This lovely gentleman bought one of my A1 sized portraits from my Easter Open Studio today as he thought that it looked like him! There's definitely a resemblance 😂

STUDIO - Easter Holiday Open Studio

It's been a busy year and I've not had much time to spend in my studio recently due to my artist residency at the University of Sunderland. So it's been great to spend a few days at the studio this week having a bit of a spring clean, just in time for my open studio over the Easter Holiday weekend. I love the view from the windows of my studio on the West Pier in Scarborough. I look out onto the harbour from one end and the south bay from the other end... beautiful 💗

STUDIO - Lost Tile

A lovely couple came into my studio and bought one of my tiles... and then promptly lost it! Wonder where this charming little face ended up! 😂

#ceramics #clay #ceramictile #ceramicartist #testtile #portraiture #goofyteeth #karentceramics #karenthompson #ceramicist #contemporaryartist #craft #tiles #karent #ceramic #karentcouk

STUDIO - Dan with his new mug

This photo really made me smile :) Dan, a friend of mine was really chuffed with his Paulastein mug! #porcelainmug

STUDIO - Westpier Open Studios

We are all opening our studios today for last chance Christmas shopping #openstudios #today #afterdark #westpierstudios #scarborough #westpier YO11 1PD

STUDIO - The Power of Experiences Film for the Crafts Council

I was invited to take part as one of the makers exploring the experience market by the Craft Council. Sarah-Mace Dennis put together a very beautiful film looking at 4 different makers/groups and the Craft Council recently put the film up on their website and youtube page. I’m 9 mins 12 seconds in if you want to jump to find me although I wholly recommend watching the entire film as it’s so beautifuuly made and I am in such good company. Thanks so much to the Crafts Council and to Sarah for putting this film together.

The link to the film is below:

https://youtu.be/c_O6PGQ8FOg

STUDIO - Crafts Council Filming

It was lovely to meet Sarah Mace-Dennis recently who was in my studio filming for the Crafts Council. They are putting together a short film about the experiences and art workshops that I run from my studio. Looking forward to seeing the film 😁

 

 

 

 

Workshop - Drawing Experience from my Studio

A lovely family came into my studio today to take part in my drawing experiences, these are bookable 1 hour sessions that are available daily, up to 5 participants. They produced some amazing artworks and had a great time :)

 

STUDIO - New Windows

Just has some lovely new windows fitted in my studio in time for the winter... What the studio makes up for in view it lacks in insulation!! Brrr... Hope this helps, although as it's a listed building the council haven't put in double glazing and have had to keep them true to their Georgian style.

STUDIO - Creating Portraits

Had a super and creative evening tonight in the studio with some friends... Myself, Nina and Astrid spent the evening taking turns to create A2 portraits using watercolour and ink. With these portraits you never know what is going to happen, I start with the eyes and then create the nose, the mouth, then the hair and lastly adding the chin and clothes. I have no idea if I'm creating a man or woman or child until I stand back and look at the finished painting.

I find the full process fascinating as once the face has come together I get a very real sense of who the person I've just made up is, often feeling strongly a name associated with them and an occupation.  

    

       

UPCOMING - Open Studios

We are having a Christmas Open Studio up on West Pier, so please do come and join us for a little mulled wine. You'll find us all on the balcony of the clock tower on Scarborough's West Pier (next to the RNLI).

The Badgers of Bohemia (number 11), Captain Ants and Nina Hughes (number 10) and Karen Thompson (number 14) are all throwing open their doors and welcoming everyone on Saturday 14th December  

STUDIO - Big Cat Little Cat

I had my little chum in the studio with me today... As I was cutting this tiger shape out of clay he decided to leave his imprint 😺

STUDIO - Webb-Ellis

Enjoyable to have the lovely Webb-Ellis in my studio recently testing out ideas for their forthcoming workshops. They are working on a couple of pilgrimages and a film in conjunction with Susan Hillier and the Nunnery Gallery and Crescent Arts. 

STUDIO - Grand Opening

I moved studio a little while ago... I'm having a little gathering to celebrate, my new studio is on the West Pier in Scarborough, on the balcony with the clock tower. The views from my new studio space are amazing, I feel very lucky 😀 

STUDIO - An Empty Crescent Arts Ceramics Studio

Spent the past five years pondering from this spot in my studio at Crescent Arts in Scarborough... Some good times and some of the worst! Packed up now and ready to move on and to hand over the space to the next resident artist...

AA2A 'Plus' - Introducing The Fiona Green Charger

The first charger I'm making in response to York Art Gallery's ceramics collection is to feature Fiona Green, the collection facilitator for art. My charger will take direct reference from a delftware charger decorated with a portrait of Queen Anne. This piece is from the 1700 - 1720 period. 

Queen Anne Charger - York Art Gallery (YORYM:2000.2672).

Fiona Green, York Museums Trust, collection facilitator for art.

AA2A 'Plus' - New Materials

I've just come across a new material which I've never used before...Terracotta cast with iron is a modelling material akin to plaster. It sets in an hour or so and resembles a bisque fired terracotta, the iron content giving it a speckled like finish. I cast my 'sculptors digits' in the material as a test, apparently the iron content will go rusty with regular watering... I'm watering one of the digits to see what the results look like... 

Testing, Testing... Terracotta cast with iron.

Karen Thompson - Sculptors Digits.

PRESS - CC #todayimmaking

The Crafts Council very kindly covered me on their #todayimmaking feature. Thanks guys. 

Today I'm making... Porcelain sandwiches for @YorkCuriouser 

 

STUDIO - Button Project

I've created 3 buttons for Jo Dahn's Button Project... The 2 blue buttons were made at the time of working on 'GOVESHY' for the Art Party Conference. The tiger button was made alongside my 'Trilogy of Death' series. I love sending things like this off for contribution in group projects and exhibitions. 

http://www.academia.edu/4488161/The_Button_Project_updated_call_for_buttons