Reflection, acceptance, and rejection. IT'S THE HOLIDAYS!

After the holidays, and before the new year, I would like to do what I think everyone is doing right now and that is, REFLECT. The past year has been one of the most eventful of my life, I think, and has brought about much joy, insight, and change.

This year, I quit my job, became a full-time artist, got married to the most amazing person I've ever known, started an artist's association, and somewhere in there I organized about 10 art shows. OK, I'm not bragging. I'm just saying, I've been a very busy girl. I also went from working in the public, to spending most of my time alone. This extrovert to introvert conversion has been interesting and difficult.

One of the recent shows I've had, was "What Would Buddha do?", an exhibition I shared with fabric artist Joan Sowada. I think this particular exhibition may have started something new with my work, my life, and my understanding of pretty much everything around me. While having one of many interesting conversations at the Buddha show, I had a sort of profound realization about acceptance, about how deeply grateful I am for the acceptance I have received in my life.

I think of Joan Sowada as one of my art mothers. She is one of my favorite people, but she is also one of my favorite artists. Her work is so well developed, I was intimidated to show with her, but she is unassuming and it WAS her idea, so I did it anyway. It was during our show together, during a conversation about something unrelated, that I realized that I loved Joan and her family so much, because they had always accepted everyone just for who they were, and that included me.

For days after the show I was flooded with gratitude for all the people in my life who have always just loved me, and didn't care about the details of my life they didn't agree with. They came to me in dreams, they came to me in memories, and gratitude for their acceptance was all I could see. It was intense. One of those days, I was writing about acceptance in my pottery journal, and trying to imagine what sort of ceramic forms would best present this topic. I thought immediately of plates, platters, and big wide bowls, all of these are forms that ACCEPT almost anything, they are wide open, and they SERVE people. I loved the metaphor! I was almost gleeful to begin, when in an instant it hit me, NONACCEPTANCE, UNACCEPTANCE, REJECTION!

And it happened just as before when I thought of every person in my life who had been accepting, only this time, I thought of the people in my life who have decided that a detail of my life that they do not understand is so great that they must cast me out of their life. For days I was in a gloom, trying to resolve these rejections in my mind, trying to accept the rejection. Coincidence or not, I started to feel better when I came up with a symbol for rejection.

Nonacceptance is damaging, it is hurtful, it causes deep wounds that can sometimes take generations to heal. The sculptural form I have come up with for Nonacceptance, is a very simple one. It is a stone. Stones are cast. A stone can hold nothing. A stone is cold and hard. The harder the stone, the more impenetrable it is, and the more damage it can do. But stones can be crushed, and stones can be melted, and be made into new things. That is after all, what clay is, small parts of mountains, washed to mud, made into something different, and then fired to create a new material.

My reflection: As an experiment, I'm going to collect the stones that have been given to me, hurled at me, or that have simply developed like calluses over the years. I want to melt them down, and then send the stone-throwers plates of love. If you receive a plate from me in the mail, it means I've been hurt but I love you and accept your rejection for what it is, a stone that comes between us. I'm chipping away at my side, I hope you will too so we can meet in the middle.

With love, acceptance, and gratitude,
Ariane

Some stuff I've been doing

Things that I have been so busy with that I haven't been blogging:

~AHA! Artists Helpings Artists... check us out! www.ahagillette.com
~What Would Buddha Do? An exhibition with fabric artist Joan Sowada for which I have been working relentlessly and with the most discipline I've ever been able to muster, for anything.
~Festival in the Pines! A little art show in Pine Haven created by glass artist Linda Lang. Linda asked me to put some pots in their show, so I've been busy getting stuff ready for that!
~December, I'm the co-artist of the month at the library! I've been making lots things for that upcoming show with Jewelry Artist, Maria Stiles. Because pottery should wear more jewelry.
~December AHA Art Jam. We're putting together a one-day festival sometime in December (dates coming soon) some where, (location coming soon) and I'll be making things for that as well, (more pots coming soon!)

And I'm helping Donkey Creek Pathways Taskforce make a Wreath for a fundraiser. And I'm making them a website. And I made 20lbs of pumpkin pie filling from our Halloween pumpkins. And I'm creating a local artist directory.

Also I'm helping these folks have shows for AHA...
Edie Reno & Herb Kalenberg THIS SUNDAY! 10am-3pm @ Prime Rib Restaurant
Chris Amend, Feb. 12 @ Wyoming Art & Frame
Ramona Roll, March 12, details coming soon...
Sharri Bowker, details coming soon...
Mark Wigner, details coming soon...

And somewhere in there I've been Suzy Homemaker and Salvador Dali.

So yeah, I kind of have to get going now... I've got a few things to do!

Thanks once again to all of you for all your support, I couldn't be doing all this stuff without it.

Ariane

Ghosts of Artists Past

I'm having an Art Show Halloween Party. Scary. I know. It will be an event like no other, at least not any other I've ever been to. Please go to www.ahagillette.com and find out all about it. Or check it out on my website, www.arianejimison.com

It's been a while, hey, I've been busy!

I realize I have fallen short of my goal of weekly blogging. Uhem. It'll be ok. I'm back now.

It's been a while, so here's a brief update of the last couple of months...
I got married! -Rachel and I tied the knot with our friends and family surrounding us in a beautiful ceremony. It was a dream come true, with pottery, flowers, hemp, and homemade bread everywhere. And so far, it seems everyday just gets better and better, even with the rough spots.

I made and sold a lot of stuff. -I gave up trying to get it all on my website, and hence missed documenting much of the work.

I got a display at Coffee Friends Coffee Shop! If you are in Gillette, go check it out!

I started a not-for-profit art organization! AHA! It's the name of the organization! AHA, Artists Helping Artists, (I feel) is the breath of fresh air the art scene in our town needs. THERE! I SAID IT! One morning after drinking too much coffee, and after being a little disgruntled about a sudden commission change for a show that we ended up cancelling, my accomplice/friend/brother-in-law, Herb Kalenberg and I dreamed up a little dream of a way to utilize spaces such as restaurants, hotels, and vacant commercial spaces for art venues. Our idea is to help the artists make all the arangements, teach them how to conduct sales, display and light thier work, and cheaply advertise to create one-night art shows (we call them One Night Stands) that are at a different place every month, featuring different artists. If the artists have to pay anything at all, it will be to the restaraunt, realestate agent, or other venue owner, but in some cases, the artists will pay nothing at all! If you haven't checked it out already, DO IT NOW!!! Click here or go to www.ahagillette.com

I'm having an art show/Halloween Party at my house/Trailer Fire Studio. You should come! Click Here for all the details.

I'll be back soon to jabber on some more. Thanks for reading my sporadic tales!

Ariane

The Studio Tour.

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A new piece that sold at the tour

The only bad thing about the studio tour was that there are no pictures. None. Not even one. I was way too busy talking to all my friends to take pictures, my studio assistant John was too busy filling drinks, refreshing appetizers, and flipping records to take photos, and Rachel was my accountant, taking care of all the sales, receipts, and overcharging my friends. (Seriously, to all my friends who paid $3 too much for your new mugs, let me know and I'll give you a special gift sometime. Rachel did not mean it, she didn't realize I had lowered my prices for the event, and she wants me to be rich.)

About 40 people came to the event, we think, but it was hard to keep track. I'll have to get a guest book for the next one. THE NEXT ONE??? YES! That's right! As soon as I get the new kiln in the yard done, I would like to have another one, and let my friends help me fire the kiln.

So in the case that you haven't noticed, there is not a store on my site anymore! That's because all the work is now available at Coffee Friends Coffee Shop. I now have to make all new work. All new ray guns. And all new space helmets. And all new everything. Excited yet? Yep. Me too.

P.S. I made 16 new wine cups yesterday, four are already sold, two sets left. Who wants em'?

STU, STU, STUDIO TOUR!

STUDIO TOUR!!! NEXT WEEK!!! I HAVE A LOT TO DO!!!
What: A chance for you to come check out my studio and my new work!
Enjoy wine, beer, and Ariane-made appetizers!

When: July 24, 4-8pm

Where: Trailer Fire Studio! 2606 Sammye Ave. Gillette, WY (out in Fox Park)

Who: Open to my family, friends, collectors, admirers, and their friends. Only the coolest people I know. (Probably you, if you are not sure, email me or call me)

Why: Because I want everyone to come see my studio, my new work, and I want you to tell me what you think, and buy what you love!



Can you believe it, they asked me to come back to the library!
Yesterday my studio assistant John and I went to the Library's teen room for an art fair where teens were invited to come and learn about different art careers, art mediums, and just generally get inspired. I had a terrific time demonstrating and answering questions! Since it was in the basement, and it was a small space, they asked if I would do something that wouldn't require a pottery wheel, so I threw a piece on the wheel the night before and altered it and let the kids watch and ask questions. I think it went really well and they seemed to dig what I was doing. I also had to come up with some answers to some pretty intense ceramics questions, there were some extremely intelligent kids there, go figure, smart kids at the library. It was great. One girl had the coolest dinosaur t-shirt. I was jealous.

STUDIO TOUR!

I spent the better part of last week in bed, trying to fight off some sort of summer sickness. But as my health has returned, it's brought along some kind of new manic energy. I have been working like a maniac for the last few days! Yesterday Rachel helped me photograph my new wine cups. I LOVE these cups. I'm tempted to just put them in the cupboard! Alas, I already have too many cups in my cupboard, (the latest hint was when I loaded our dishwasher with cups, and there were still a dozen that wouldn't fit.) I think this might be the most of one thing that I've ever had available for sale at one time before. It was very satisfying to line them all up on the deck and try to fit them into the picture frame. One of the difficult things about trying to photograph these cups all in a row, is that I really lack a place in my house to set-up a backdrop, get good light, and have the ability to get far enough away to get them all in the frame. So we used the ramp that leads to our front door. It is a pretty nice incline, which made things more difficult, the wind was blowing, and it was pretty darn warm outside, (only to cool off shorty after we were finished.) I didn't know Rachel was taking the picture of me with the cups, but I think you can see the frustration on my face.

The good news is, I got the shot I wanted!

As I talk to other artists and friends about this business of making and selling art, a lot of folks seem surprised when they realize how small my studio is and that I'm doing all of this out of a small room in my trailer house. It seems that there is a misconception about pottery studios, that they are very messy, they have to be big, and you need a lot of money to get started. Well, I love to burst the high budget bubble. When I tell people that I got started with less than $1,000 in equipment and supplies (including a Brent CXC wheel, a small electric kiln, clay and glaze supplies) I can see the wheels turning behind their eyes about what might be possible for them to do with the same amount of space and money. And as for the messy part, well you'll just have to see when you come to the studio tour, the studio is the cleanest part of the house! I don't think that space and money are huge factors either. It's much more about determination, passion, and of course, LUCK (that's how I got my wheel and kiln at garage sales for less than $500!) Not to mention the incredible support of family and friends who have helped me feel confident about what I'm trying to do. SO! In an attempt to further inspire others to start their own studios, (and to help bolster sales) I'm going to host a studio tour! Dates and times, coming soon!!!

Also in Trailer Fire Studio news... I'll be DEMONstrating at the teen room at the CCPL library at 2:00pm this Thursday. If you know any teens that could use some encouragement to pursue the arts as a career, send them down!

My wine cups got smashed!

As many of you know, I am not a big drinker, a little wine once in a while or a beer on a hot night is usually my limit. But a lot of folks have requested that I make some wine cups, and so I did. At the same time, I was also trying out some new glaze and I thought it would be nice on the dozen new wine cups I just made, as well as a dozen tall tumblers, and half a dozen space mugs. But to my surprise and their demise, the glaze shrunk more than the pieces, and it literally tore them apart as the glaze cooled. When I opened the kiln, disgust is the only word that comes to mind that even remotely describes how I felt. $#%& *$&^%# %$#@& Would also work.

It was enough to make even me want a strong drink.

Disappointed, but determined, I went back into the studio on Monday and made 18 new wine cups. I threw away all of the broken pieces with a little tear in my eye, then I threw away that glaze, with a little vengeance in my heart. "DAMN YOU DEVIL GLAZE!"

These little frustrations, miss-fires, and poopy glazes are all part of it I guess. And maybe I will eventually get used to it, or get so good that this stuff doesn't happen (that would be nice). But I will say, the sound of shattering ceramic in a dumpster is still a bit of a thrill even after all these years (or beers).

arianejimison.com

I finally made the plunge yesterday and created a real working, not-so-lame, website. Check it out. www.arianejimison.com This means that I finally have a way of selling my work without paying high commissions. I'm really excited to see how it all works out.

I think this is an appropriate time to reveal my secret weapon in this endeavor I've embarked on. Yes. It's Rachel. Rachel Kalenberg has been my collaborative partner, an inspiration, my financial supporter, and my best friend. We're also getting married in a few months, so there's that too. I really want to say a big public THANK YOU to Rachel for all your help, support, patience, understanding and for helping to create this beautiful vision of our life together. It's better than I ever could have imagined.

And I have a mighty imagination.

Down to Earth

These mugs were all going to be brightly colored SPACE MUGS, but the initial firing got too hot, and only certain glazes would stick. Thus. Down to Earth Mugs. I'm pretty proud. They are hard to tip over. Because their bellies stick out (not unlike my own) their rims are protected from chips, and they are very comfortable to use. They hold about 10oz. of coffee (chai, tea, tang, whatever) and when I hold one, I somehow feel sophisticated. If they make ME feel sophisticated, just imagine how they will make a sophisticated person feel.

Special.

You can't spell demonstration with out "demon"

Yesterday I had what I thought was going to be a "little" pottery demonstration at our public library. But it turned out to be a big one, with over 130 people watching! They told me there would be over 100, but I guess I didn't believe it. Librarians never lie.

It's been gloomy, cool and rainy for days, and even yesterday morning, but when it came time to load everything in the car to go, it was HOT and humid. And after the demonstration when it came time to unload, it was even hotter. Of course after all the work was done, it rained heavily, and cooled everything off. It is my theory that the pottery gods don't look kindly upon self-promotion, or using pottery as comedic performance art, or something? My pottery wheel weighs at least 150lbs. and then there's: clay, tools, a chair, a bunch of finished pottery to have on display, extension cords, water bucket, towel, sponges, and a dolly to carry it all, and it all has to fit in this tiny car (it is not parked in my neighborhood in this picture). It's all heavy, and the wheel is especially awkward to get into the back of the car by yourself. AND IT'S HOT! I'll stop whining, you get the idea.

After I was already running a couple of minutes late, and was half way to the library, I realized that I forgot to get clay. When I finally got to the library, my new studio assistant John Morgan, was there to help me set-up, and it all went very smooth after that. John took pictures, and since he is in one of them, I assume he had some help. I guess I should tell you, I now have a studio assistant/apprentice!My brother's girlfriend Sara Morgan kept telling me that she had a brother who wanted to get into pottery, when I met John we really hit it off. We made a deal to trade his work time for studio time. He's an amazing helper and I think I can help him too. I'm excited to see what he creates in the near future!

Back at the library. At first the crowd of children were all nicely arranged around the tarp, but it soon turned into a cozy little circle, with lots of questions, and requests and fun facts from them, such as, "My dog's name is Jerry." And they asked for great stuff, like, "Can you make the moon?" and pizza, one kid really wanted me to make pizza, and another kid was petting my arm.

At the middle of the demonstration, I stopped to explain some of the ceramic processes, I showed a bisque piece (fired once but has no glaze on it) and it so happens that it was a bowl with wings, that can also be used as a space helmet. So I modeled it for them, with a raygun. (You'll have to click on the picture to see this)

Speaking of RAYGUNS! My good friend and sometimes collaborative partner, Melissa Wickwire has said that she will help me make holsters for my rayguns. I cannot even believe it. I will have so much more fun in the kitchen now with my new raygun salt & pepper shakers! PEW! PEW PEW!

Today, I'm pretty sore, tired, whiny, and lethargic. I have a headache that could kill a normal person, (one without a space helmet). All the excitement yesterday must have been too much. Which leads me to say, you can't spell demonstration without "demon".

IT WORKED!

I'm extremely happy and excited to report that the test firing was a success, the glaze stuck, the cup looks great. Well, I only glazed the inside, so it's looks half great. I'm off to glaze the rest of it and all of the other pieces I thought I might have ruined.

I made a beautiful large jar/canister last night, I'm jazzed about going to work on it, so this is it for today, lots to do!

Ups and downs

I had my first miss-hap yesterday. My kiln over-fired, and did not shut off when it was supposed to, so it got way too hot, and I lost 16 pieces. I think. I'm firing one of those pieces right now to see if the glaze I applied sticks to it, or if the clay has become too mature, the glaze could just slide off the piece when it gets hot. WE WILL SEE! I certainly don't have my hopes up.

I did throw 16 new pieces yesterday, so at least it feels like I've already made-up for the loss. I made 8 large, curvy tumblers, 4 small wine cups, enough parts for a pair of raygun salt and pepper shakers, an espresso cup, and a bowl with a hollow rim.


I was also recently able to photograph the last project that I had my college class do. It's a bit of a version of "exquisite corpse". I had everyone make parts and pieces, without much direction other than they had to make at least 5, they could be spheres, wheel thrown pieces, coils, slabs, clay pizza, or whatever. After about 20 minutes, we put the pieces outside to firm-up. We then chose words randomly out of random books, and put together a sentence, randomly. That sentence became the title of the piece, and we then constructed the sculpture to fit the title. They learned about gesture, narrative sculpture, and team work, as well as how to collaborate and "let go" of one's work, as no one was allowed to use pieces that they had originally created.

The title of this piece is, "The Spooky Cow Danced on Florence's Tongue

Many people took one look at this piece when it was still in clay-form, and said that it could never make it through a firing, and yet, Florence persevered. After she was fired, we rummaged through the AVA Community Art Center's fridge & cupboards to find mustard, many teas, fruit punch, and coffee, which we brewed, and painted onto the sculpture, when the tea was too weak, we added watercolors. It was crazy, kind of smelly, but a lot of fun. When I get the kiln built this summer, I'd like to cement her to it.


I know the picture of the spooky cow is very blurry, but I thought it was such a funny picture, I just had to show it off.

Oh the woes of having a small kiln! I'm getting quite the collection of "pieces waiting to be fired", and yet it seems I fire CONSTANTLY! I'm a little nervous about getting the next electric bill! Here's the latest kiln load of finished works. Though my kiln is tiny, I somehow managed to fit all of these in one load.





10" Bowl











This is a piece simply entitled "Stone". As you can see, it has a large turquoise necklace draped on it. Jewelry artist Maria Stiles and I have a couple of shows coming up, and this is one of our promotional photos. I love these two pieces together! Pottery should wear jewelry more often.





















13" Carved Platter

The tree silhouettes are actually carved into the clay, then glazed brown later. This is a very handsome platter, but I think it would look best with a roasted chicken or turkey on it.















"A Pitcher of Wyoming"

I experimented with watercolor techniques for this piece. I especially love the flock of birds "flying off the handle". HA!




















And this piece is of particular significance to me, as it will be the centerpiece at my wedding in a few months. It is wheel-thrown, hollow, and to me symbolizes the idea of two people being individuals and at the same time being joined.





















Carved Brown Vase
14" High


I honestly didn't plan on keeping this one. It came about on a late night, I didn't cover it, it dried out, but I hacked away at it the next day anyway. Then so many people commented on it, I thought what the hell, why not! Now I love it!












This bowl didn't get fired in this last batch, but I'm sending it off to New York next week and I had neglected to get a photo of it. It is 14" across and is a 10- quart Salad/Mixing Bowl, and it is being sent to my good friends David & Iralda Nicholas along with the 10" bowl shown above.

A last-minute taste of Gillette

Yesterday I was making cups in the studio when I received a call from the Gillette Chamber of Commerce, telling me that I could still be in their mixer/tradeshow that they call "The Taste of Gillette", an event where all the vendors must make food to have at their booth. It was 11:30 when I got the call, and the event started at 5:00pm, and I needed to make a lot of bread, pack-up my pots, and I needed to get my wheel cleaned up and ready to go, because they wanted a demonstration. So that's just what I did. Also, I had to somehow get some business cards, as I have been putting that off. In the end, it all came together, the house was at least 100 degrees from making and baking bread, I was exhaused before I even got there, but once I started demonstrating, the time went by very quickly. I sold my chartruese raygun, gave out a lot of business cards, and got to see some old friends. I also shared my booth with my good friend Maria Stiles who makes jewelry, and she had a few sales as well.

As you can see, I had quite the following of miniature mud lovers. They made interesting requests, "Can you make a duck? Or no! A flip-flop, make a flip-flop! AND A DUCK!"

Trailer Fire Studio's first firing!

I finally got my first finished works photographed! The shiny glazes are kind of hard to get good images of, I'm doing some research on how to get better results. But, I'd rather be making pots, so for now, these will have to do.

The blue raygun is now my favorite. It is much brighter blue than shown here, and it's fin is too fun! I can't wait to assemble some more.

I am making lots of cups today, some space-mugs, and some tall cups similar to the celadon ones shown here. I've got another firing to do tomorrow, and I just received a book telling me everything I need to know to build my outdoor kiln, a 10-year-old dream, finally coming true. There's so much going on it's hard to make time to maintain this here blog!

In other news, the Pearls of the Prairie banquet was this weekend, it's an event where a local artist/art group is honored, as is a patron/supporter of the arts. I had a beautiful (i thought) set of four black and white cups for sale, a medium-sized black and white kitchen bowl, and two collaborative pieces (Jimi Wickenberg's) for sale, AND THEY ALL SOLD! I was a very happy lil' potter that night!

Zap! I'm back!

After many days, many pots, and many pairs of clay-encrusted pants, I finally emerged from the studio this weekend to celebrate my birthday with family and friends. It would have been very easy to just stay in there, but there was the promise of ski-ball and a JB King performance at Coffee Friends coffee shop. One of the great gifts I received this weekend was a digital camera from my mom! THANKS MOM!!! Now I can finally show what I've been working on.

This clay raygun feels so good in your hand! I can't help but hold it and make "pew pew pew" sounds. I'm making all kinds of kitchen gadgets that are raygus, such as salt & pepper shakers, salad dressing cruets, whisks, and others that I will keep quiet about until I show them. ALSO, I've made some really funky space helmets that you can actually wear, or use for a salad bowl, though I wouldn't recommend both at the same dinner.

I've also been making some things that are completely alien to me, like a giant gem-stone-pot for a show I have next year with jewelry artist Maria Stiles. Im really looking forward to all the collaborative aspects of that exhibition, Maria is an exceptional artist and I feel extremely fortunate to be showing with her.

I've aso made a lot of large drinking cups, bowls, plates, platters, a pitcher, and a bunch of other stuff. It's all been so fun to do.

So far, life as a potter is something I could get used to.

I must secretly hate artist receptions...

Because this is the third artist reception in less than a year that I'm ditching.

There's a group of artists here in Gillette, WY, that put on an amazing show in a house that's for sale. Each year there are anywhere between 20-30 artists that participate and as I understand it, the house usually sells shortly after the show. This year, it's the 12th annual gala, and I finally have enough work to show! So I've entered the show, but I will miss the artist reception! DANGIT! And I, of all people, love to talk and eat cheese. At the same time. But, there is a green festival in Denver that I must attend, so I will once again miss the artist reception. Even if I'm not there, I hope at least my work is well received.

Half of the pieces I'm showing are collaborative efforts with artists Melissa Wickwire and Rachel Kalenberg. We've decided to call them "Jimi Wickenberg's" (it's all of our names cleverly run together). Melissa threw the pieces, I carved the pieces, and Rachel glazed them. We'll see how this goes... Dun dun duuuuun!

Emergence

Howdy! Welcome to my blog. I've started this here blog to keep folks I love, and folks I don't even know for that matter, abreast of my new adventure as a full-time artist. While I plan to use my new freedom to create like I have never created before (with discipline), I also hope to create a little online support center for myself (for when I'm lacking discipline and really should be working in my studio).

I have to say, so far, this whole life change, entitled "I'm a real artist now", is both exciting and terrifying. And also premature, as I still have one week of work left at the art center where I have been employed for the last seven years. Then I get to forget all about schedules, calendars, non-profits, and grueling unpaid hours of work. Now I'm sure there will be a "NON" profit period for a while, and unpaid grueling hours of work, and exhibition schedules. Hmmmmm.

Well, at least I'll be able to do most of it in my pajamas!