Author Archives: Julie Crosby

About Julie Crosby

My surroundings ultimately affect my pots in subtle ways. The corn and hay fields that stretch out in back of my studio are always slowly changing to reveal new lines or textures. A line where two fields come together will easily become a carved line in a vase or the dividing point between slip and glaze. The cuts in a basket or handle mimic the openings I see in an old two story barn across the road.

Open Studio Saturday February 4th

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New! First Saturdays on the Art Trail!

Being a member of the Greater Ithaca Art Trail has many benefits, including being able to participate in the open studio weekends in October.  Since my studio is off the beaten path many people would not know I was out here, were it not for my presence on the Art Trail.  Now, the great folks at CAP are launching the First Saturdays on the Art Trail to give artists more exposure AND to give the public more opportunities to meet local artists and see their work.

My studio, along with eleven others, will be open this Saturday February 4th from 10am-2pm.  Come on by to see what I’m working on and check out the variety of pots I have in stock!

To see the list of other participating artists check out this flyer. First Saturday Flyer A

 

Center, open, pull, rib, cut off. Repeat.

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To start off a series of pots for the wood kiln I usually begin with cups or mugs.  The cup form is a good way to get warmed up and will often spark ideas for what to make next.  Going through the repetition of steps is a revitalizing exercise after a hiatus from making.  I enjoy seeing freshly thrown cylinders lined up on a board.  When placed close together the forms create soft, repetitive lines, each one slightly different from the next.  This series of mugs will be larger than my usual large mug.  Sometimes changing the scale of a familiar form, even slightly, will help push me to make it better. The challenge to find the right proportions of visual weight and handle placement will keep my mind and hands tuned up for the next series of forms.

Photography 101

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I am stepping out of my comfort zone here with my first real blog post having to do with photography, not clay necessarily.  Although I am taking pictures of my pots, which I know pretty well, the act of photographing them has landed me in unknown territory.  I know what I want to see.  Making the camera understand that is like, well, trying to talk to an inanimate object.  After many days of shooting at different times of day for the right natural light and re-reading the camera manual and calling my trusted professional photographer friend (who happens to be responsible for almost all of the high quality images on my site), I am beginning to get images I feel good about.  I feel like I just might pass this self imposed photography 101 crash course.  The real test will come when I try to repeat what I did today. 

You can see here some of what I think of as successful images.  Not professional by any means, but not too shabby either.  What sparked this attempt to take on such a beast?  My new etsy shop.  In order to keep my shop current, I have to learn to take my own good images.   You can see my earlier tries by visiting my etsy site, clicking on any of the thumbnails to the right will take you there, and hopefully you’ll see my progress. 

Now, since I am really a potter, this week will be spent cleaning the studio and making new pots.  Unless the light is just right, I may have to wash my hands and click a few clicks.

My New Website and Blog

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Welcome to my new website and blog.  As the new year begins, I look forward to getting back to work in the studio and sharing what I am up to, via this blog.  If you would like to receive regular updates and news please subscribe to my newsletter by entering your email address in the box to the right.   

I am also happy to announce the re-opening of my etsy store.  Access to the store is easy, just click on the “store home” link on the right to see what new items I have in stock.

It seems like winter has finally arrived here in upstate New York.  With the fire wood stacked and the studio warm, I will soon be settling in and filling up the shelves with new work.  I look forward to sharing the surprises and challenges that surely await. 

I hope you visit often and as always, I welcome your comments and feedback.  Best wishes to all for a prosperous 2012 filled with joy and laughter!