The Break Up

Sad news! Studio Lingo is finishing up on 24th December. Come and grab a locally handmade bargain, just in time for Christmas! Hope you can make it!

And the Winner is...

Friday night was the opening of the 2010 South Australian Ceramics Award, which was judged by Gerry Wedd this year. The Award started back in 1986 and this is the ninth award since it began. The winning artist receives a prize of $2000 and the South Australian state gallery also chooses a piece for its collection.

Prue Gramp, Jeff Mincham and Gerry Wedd during the speeches
(ok not a great shot - but I was near the back!)

The show was opened with an interesting speech by Jeff Mincham about the history of the award and where ceramics is today. Then Gerry followed with the announcement of the prize winners. The Award this year went to Helen Fuller for her piece 3 Pot(s).

The winning piece '3 Pot(s)' by Helen Fuller

The state gallery chose a piece by Stephanie James-Manttan (Impressed Vessel) and a group of pieces by Maria Parmenter (Telling Tales). I went through the JamFactory design associateship with both of these talented women, so that was very exciting!

Steph James-Manttan and Maria Parmenter

There was a great turnout and it was a very enjoyable night with beautiful work and a chance to catch up with wonderful potters and artists!
Some of the other ceramists in the show include: Philip Hart, Silvia Stansfield, Leo Neuhofer, Angela Walford, John Ferguson, Jane Sabey, Merrilyn Stock, Jane Robertson, Kirsten Coelho, Gus Clutterbuck, Alison Arnold, Jane Burbidge and me!

Angela Walford with her wall pieces 'Journey'

Oh, I guess I should give you the details (in case you couldn't make it on the opening night):

South Australian Ceramic Award
2-24 July 2010

Adelaide Central Gallery
45 Osmond Terrace, Norwood
Ph: 08) 8364 2809
Open: M-F 9am - 5pm, Sat 11am - 4pm

'A Parliament of Owls' by Merrilyn Stock.

The Frauleins at Urban Cow

Frauleins Orchard is an exhibition currently showing in the Urban Cow Studio upstairs gallery. I went on the opening night, but it was so crowded I couldn't see the work - so I went back in today. What a sweet show! There is a variety of jewellery, painting and illustration from some very talented South Australian artists. It's definitely worth a look, but you better be quick - it concludes on the 28th June.

The artists include: Georgia Gabrielle, Naomi Murrell, Elisa Mazzone, Katrina Weber, Anna Creasy, Ruby Chew, Peta Alannah Chigwidden and Joelie Croser.

Adelaide - Why Would You Live Anywhere Else?

Ok, there are many reason's to live elsewhere... but there are also many reason's to live here! And this is just one:

My view after work today.

Urban Cow Studio

One of my favourite shops in Adelaide would have to be Urban Cow Studio. They have such a great variety of quality handmade gifts, that it's easy to find something for anyone's taste. I love the fact that everything is locally made in South Australia. They also have a great little gallery space, which I had the pleasure of exhibiting in last year.

Urban Cow has been nominated by Tourism SA as the best retail tourist destination in South Australia. Which I think is well deserved. Below is a little blurb about the shop. I'd definitely recommend going and having a look!


Urban Cow Studio has been a mecca for artists and art lovers for the past 17 years. Currently displaying artwork from over 150 South Australian artists and designers it is a visual feast for the senses with a new surprise around every corner.

The 3 downstairs rooms are filled to the brim with designer jewellery, handmade ceramics and glassware, paintings, illustration, sculpture, textiles, tshirts and hoodies (home of the infamous South Australian "Heaps Good", "Magic Mountain" & "Adelaide's Got Balls" tshirts).

Take time to wander upstairs to the gallery which showcases a new exhibition each month (opening evening the 1st Wednesday of each month). Some people describe Urban Cow as the best giftshop in Australia.... but it is much, much, more.

~

These spotty mugs are just one of the products I sell through Urban Cow.

I have been making the official Urban Cow ceramic range for 3 1/2 years now. Check out the huge range of bowls and platters in store. Each piece is handmade and decorated - meaning customers can order their own unique gift - with names, dates, special colours and unique details. Because they are made from scratch, you need to allow 4-6 weeks in the busy times. So order well ahead of time!!

Here are some recent customer orders:

Urban Cow Studio
11 Frome St
Adelaide SA 5000
PH: (08) 8232 6126
www.urbancow.com.au (join our cool mailing list) or find us on Facebook.

The best gift shop & gallery for all things handmade in Adelaide.

OPENING HOURS:
Mon-Thurs: 10-6pm
Fri: 10-9pm
Sat: 10-5pm
Sun 12-5pm

All in a Days Work

Well it's official – I’m back at the JamFactory! I have a small studio space in the centre of the workshop. No more frostbite on the back verandah for me this winter! It feels a bit strange (after working on my own for 16 months), but it’s great to see the old gang again and be part of such a creative environment. Here’s my new home away from home:


Today I had a good view of the studio's Terra Australis production range mugs to inspire me. As always I've got so many ideas (too many), as well as a few commissions on the go and I'm starting to make a group of pieces to sell in a new outlet in Sydney! So with no time to waste, I got stuck into it. Here is today's effort drying in the sun:


Now that I'm a bit more centrally located, it will be easier for you to find me. I'm in the ceramic studio on the second floor. Feel free to visit if you're in the neighbourhood!

Adelaide Fringe Awards Night 2010

Invisible Red Threads was nominated for a Fringe Award!! Me and my sister attended the awards ceremony tonight at HQ and it was very entertaining.


There's us up on the big screen!


Congratulations to Format Festival who won our section.


I'd like to say a huge thank you to Christie Anthony and the Fringe staff for all the work they put into Fringe 2010. Congratulations!

And so it begins...

Hmm, where do I start. All the way back in 2001! That's the year I was accepted at AC Arts, the brand new Arts TAFE in Adelaide. I enrolled thinking I'd be a painter. But as soon as I touched clay I was addicted! With clay, the possibilities are endless. You can combine it with painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, printing, jewellery, pretty much anything. You can use it for functional pieces or sculpture.

My preferred technique is wheel throwing. It becomes quite meditative. At the moment I make three main production ranges which sell in shops around South Australia and one in New South Wales. And I aim to keep building my business to have an outlet in each state of Australia (one day). I have a small kiln (which isn't big enough) and an even tinier test kiln (both electic) and 2 pottery wheels.

I exhibit mainly in South Australia, but have also been part of group exhibitions in New South Wales. I have an exhibition opening tomorrow night as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2010:

Invisible Red Threads
Light Square Gallery
from 6-8pm

Will tell you more about it later...

Ok, I think that's enough for my first post!