OK< I have been sick in bed with Pneumonia almost all week and going crazy, so here is another little 5x7 painting I did while I was in bed. I have been working in my sketchbook and have many new ideas for my next show and series of functional work in ceramics. I am looking forward to starting to work in our new studio as soon as it is all cleaned out. Mom's apartment (guest apartment) is coming along nicely and we hope to have some walls up soon! It is Halloween today and I am not in my normal spirited mood for celebrating. David is going as Albert Einstein (only fitting) and William as a doctor. Maybe next year Brad and I will dress up too! Have a great Hallows Eve and We will see you on the flip side.

Texas Ceramic Festival

The clay festival was so much fun! Lots of great art, lots of good friends and so much fun camping! Thank you to all my colleagues and students who helped to make the trip and the event such a great time. Having other kids go was the best for my boys as you can see William is a little taken with Chloe. I will post images of what we bought this year, we try very hard to only buy one piece a year, but it is very difficult to choose from so many great artists. Camping on the Guadelupe, Gruene Texas and a Cleay Festival, it can' t get much better than that!

Bradley Oiler

This is my husbands new site, he is one of the most gifted artist, designers, potters and all around renaissance men that I know. You definately will need to keep your eye on his work and blog as he will keep it updated often. He makes new work every week, sometimes every day and he works in all different mediums sometimes to his advantage and somedays not... I am sure you will understand his journey more if you follow him. Since this particular blog is a connection to our families studio I will try to keep updated with his work also. Did I mention he is a Graphic Design Professor, father of two great boys and is a very supportive husband! http://bradleyoiler.blogspot.com

Nate Ritchey

Nate Ritchey, another super talented artist and designer. Just started his blogspot, but I would keep up with this guy. He is on his way to becoming one successful artist, designer, potter, father and husband! He is great! Check it out!!! http://naterritchey-natesstuff.blogspot.com/

Chris Crawford new blog!

This is another students site you should check out. Photographer and Designer Chris Crawford. He is awesome, responsible and a gifted artist. His exhibition will be at McMurry University from December 7-12, check his site for more info. Crawfordfoto.blogspot.com

Miles Mayfield, a young artist just starting to find his voice in the arts with incredible talent and committment. Graduate Schools better watch out for this one! Keep your eyes open for him. He just started a blog, check it out.
http://intheclay.blogspot.com/
Keep it up Miles, couldn't be prouder!

I decided to make a painting a week project this year. Simple subjects, almost an exercise but hopefully capturing the beauty of the smaller simpler things in life. Hope to post one a week.

Painting of the view from the east side of the property, early evening and the moon was up. I haven't really painted anything in a while and thought now that I am out in the country I should try some of our place. I am doing a series of these either from places I have been or of my place here all 5x7 to have something quick to work on that isn't as physically demanding as clay until my neck gets in better shape. Hope you like.

I am just going to give my man JUNIOR a shout out here, he has been working so hard on his business and designs and keeping it fresh all the time. Congratulations to you and I can't wait for your exhibition! click on the image for a link to his site and check him out.

David and his Artwork

This work was created by David this year and it represents a day in his life. He has started experimenting with mixed media and he has a knack for it. He says he wants to make more. We keep a lot of his little experiments in the studio and when he wants to create a "masterpiece" we pull all of these things out and he will then design his larger piece using past items he has created. It breaks the process up a bit more and allows him to process the completed project without being distracted by the finer details of each individual component. He uses this work to talk about his triumphs and struggles his fears and joys... he is communicating more and more and we believe his work in the studio has been a tool to help him do that. By the way... this piece took Grand Prize for the 12 and under category in the National Program for the Arts Exhibition this year. Not bad for an autistic 8 year old.

Old Friends and Mentors

Thinking of some of my old friends and mentors today. How I miss my mentor, Linda Ganstrom. The energy that was produced in the studio on a daily basis was incredible. I have been no place that has matched it. Her abilities as a teacher are also unmatched. I think sometimes we forget how much we owe to those who have helped us become who we are today. The joys and struggles, but always there is growth. This is just a shout out to a very special person in my life who gave me more than she will ever know. THANK YOU LINDA!