Trying something a little different with my chickens - working with a white clay body, adding a nice red brown underglaze, then etching different markings to show-off their feathers and personality. What do you think of this new look? #ceramicchicken #ceramicsofbluesky

Another Spring Meadow platter in the works - always love the peel/reveal of monoprinting ✨💖✨ Like opening a present! . . . #monoprinting #monoprintingonclay #peelandreveal #ceramicsofbluesky #processvideo

Here is the front/back of the (unfinished) piece I made, temporarily calling it Vulture Man. I envision it being shown with another figurative piece - which will be made at a later date. After it's been fired, I'll add some color to bring out the disconcerting beauty/ugliness of a King vulture.

Showing the different building stages of the backside of the figurative sculpture I'm working on: in its current resting/waiting state; without hands; without arms; without jacket or feathers. . . . #wip #wipwednesday #figurativesculpture #itsaprocess #ceramicart #ceramicsofbluesky

One proud papa and his baby chick! This is the final result of the Emperor penguin I made earlier. I'm really happy with how they turned out. Slide thru the photos for more details. I have a new found love for penguins✨🐧✨ . . . #emperorpenguin #ceramicbird #ceramicsofbluesky

Front side view of a piece I'm working on…see how it comes together (in reverse). Made during a fantastic 5-day workshop w/Kelsey Bowen; she shared many techniques in making a gestured figure with an animal head. I'll be working on the head now and will share those images later. #ceramicsofbluesky

Another chicken with all her marks! Next step is the kiln 🔥 . . . #wip #ceramicchicken #markmaking #etching #sgraffito #ceramicsculpture #ilovechickens #ceramicsofbluesky

I've been working on this for the past week, letting it emerge as it tells me a story. His name hasn't come to me yet, but I think he's a corporate-type worker who might be disgruntled/dissatisfied/disgusted. Or maybe recently fired. Is he speaking to you? What is he saying? #ceramicsofbluesky

Part of the fun of making my little chickens is adding lots of marks to represent their feathers and overall appearance. Any guess to how many different tools are used to make her marks?🧐 #wipwednesday #markmaking #sgraffito #etchingtools #etching #ceramicchicken #ceramicsculpture #ceramicsofbluesky

I painted the Pride colors onto a pair of wings for this little chicken then transferred them on. She seems very pleased with them ✨🌈🐔✨ #pride #ceramicchicken #ceramicsculpture #monoprinting #processvideo #inthestudio #ceramicsofbluesky

A baby duck curious about the world as mama duck patiently waits in the background. Happy Mother’s/Maternal Day to all who nurture, guide, and care for the young ones in our lives be they four-legged or two-legged critters. ✨💖✨ #ceramicsofbluesky

After making the figure, I cut her in half to hollow her out. She is all put back together(front and back views). I'm thinking she'd like to take long naps on a window sill someplace. #wip #figurativeart #figurativesculpture #humanform #ceramicsculpture #itsaprocess #ceramicsofbluesky

She's sound asleep, dreaming those dreams of running free without a care in the world, like a child. Weightless. I shared the bottom half of this sculpture yesterday - here's the top half; still a WIP. #wip #wipwednesday #ceramicsculpture #figurativeart #paperclay #itsaprocess #ceramicsofbluesky

Partially finished figure - playing with how the feet/toes casually rest on a flat surface. #wip #ceramicfigure #figurativeart #paperclay #itsaprocess #inthestudio #ceramicsofbluesky

One week from today is the opening of Ceramic Showcase - an all-ceramic show✨✨ This year I will have 3 pieces in the Gallery section of the show (see images). If you're in the Portland metro area I hope you have a chance to check it out; lots of art for everyone! www.ceramicshowcase.com

Applied underglaze and slip onto this Emperor penguin and his little buddy. I completely fell in love all over again with penguins when making. This is still a WIP; after its upcoming bisque firing I'll add more warm colors to certain white areas. I'll share when it's complete.🐧 🐧 #ceramicsofbluesky

It’s amazing how it transforms with color - especially adding the eyes. #ceramicduck #ceramicsofbluesky

I’ve been falling in love with birds lately - is it because of Spring? I started with a red-crested cardinal in February, followed by an Eastern bluebird then a robin. Then I had the bright idea to make a penguin! Now it’s a duck (WIP).🪿 I’m accruing quite the flock! #ceramicsofbluesky

Meet George, the Great Dane. He was made in remembrance of a certain Great Dane I knew. His markings show that he is loyal, loving, and brave. The design across his nose represents his patience: waiting for your 'okay' to take it. And, oh, those puppy eyes ✨✨ #the100daysproject #ceramicsofbluesky

Just another Sunday - with a brush, some underglaze, and a bowl. What are you working on? #inthestudio #underglaze #surfacedecoration #wip #the100dayproject

Queen Cat series: “Huntress". In her youth, my cat, Lana, loved to hunt. In the spirit of imagination, she’s ready to prepare her next meal. In reality, once Lana put the bird down and walked away, the bird would have a miraculous recovery and fly away. This feat would surprise both of us. Day42/100

"Getting Through the Muck and Mire (with some help)" will be at Ceramic Showcase, April 25-27. Elements of underlying meaning carry her story forward… Jumping fish: significant life change Wings: transcend limitations Gladioli: strength Dahlias: commitment Blue dress: sadness, yet inner peace

Penguins are gosh-darn cute! This little guy started as a dad and his egg on his feet, but then I thought, a penguin chick instead? Yes, definitely! I’m still working on it - need to add some wings & color, so stay tuned. Day 39/100 #ceramicbirds #claypenguin #ceramicpenguin #wip #the100dayproject

Little ceramic flowers to brighten a spot in the home - in the kitchen, a window sill, a shelf or a bathroom - lots of possibilities! In order: Zinnia - Sunflower with Honeybee - Petunia with Ladybug #ceramicart #homedecor #forthehome #ceramicflower #iloveflowers #the100dayproject

From underglazes painted onto newsprint, to a transfer on clay, to a fired platter, to hanging on someone’s wall: the evolution of “Hen in the Garden” wall hanging/platter. Day 37/100 #monoprint #monoprintonclay #wallhanging #ceramicplatter #ceramicsofbluesky #the100dayproject

Start to finished platter - creating one of my favorite floral designs, the Flower Box. In less than a minute (in real time it happens over several days), I add layers of underglaze, slip, transfer it onto clay, form it into a platter, cut the edges; voilá: a glazed platter for serving or to hang.

This is Lana (real and not-so-real)! I made this little rendition of her awhile back; it generally sits on my work area so she’s nearby. She’s an older lady now but her adorable personality still shines thru & she’s still my Queen. ✨🐈‍⬛🧡👑✨ #caturday #ceramiccat #figurativeart #ilovecats #catsculpture

This is me doing one of my early transfers many(many!) moons ago. I think I made this into a small bowl shape. ✨🐠✨ #monoprintonclay #surfacedecoration #ceramics #wip #itsaprocess

I made these tulip-inspired wine goblets as a wedding gift to a special couple. The meaning of a red tulip is "a declaration of love" and a purple one is for "admiration and adoration". Many years of happiness to the couple ✨👩‍❤️‍👨✨ #winegoblets #weddinggift #ceramicgoblets

Bracing the figure upside down as I begin to create the eyes of this piece. First the whites, then the iris(4seconds in). Then 2 coats of gloss before firing. Day 31/100 #wip #paintingeyes #figurativeart #ceramicsculpture