They might have been dredged from the sea…

This and the next two images were just submitted for consideration to a juried show — modern takes on Hellenistic art. Great idea. Wish there’d been room for an artist statement in the submission process. Obviously I’ve been gaga over Greek art for a long time, but this seems a particularly good moment to reflect on the seeds of democratic ideals and philosophy.

Like the pencil for scale?

 

 

White pots:

While visiting Cheltenham in the U.K. last September, I came across this beauty, dredged for the ocean floor after a couple-millennia rest.

Gorgeous, no? I’ve been throwing things a bit bigger to accommodate my time-lapsed versions.

Not glazed yet, just crusted up with slip and clay molds.  And a squiggle or two.

I’m in a juried show! It’s at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center here on Cape Ann (http://Rockyneckartcolony.org).

Opening party was last night and there were so many artists I wanted to speak with. About 30 of us, so a lot to get around to and my chit-chat skills are not the best. The juror, Ellen Wineberg, stayed the whole time and was very open to chatting with each of us.

Particular favorites include Wilson Hunt, Lorraine Sullivan, Mary Cole and Jean Fogle

Great show, if I say so myself — lots of color, lots of playfulness.

My little guys:

I love harpies. They’re troublesome creatures sent to annoy. There’s a splendid pot showing three of them snatching food from Phineas, who’s been struck blind as punishment for some infraction. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the same vengeful god has sent three harpies to steal his food every time he goes to take a bite.

The two ladies below are from that pot. I’m not happy with the painting. I think I like the squeeze bottles of underglaze better although I tried the ol’ brush this time. I do like the ornamentation at the top. We’ll see what comes about in the final firing

These two babies haven’t been fired yet, but I can’t wait.

On the left is Triptolemos bringing wheat to humankind. The original is at the Met. I love how Trippy floats high on the pot face, his winged Segway hovering.

The one on the right is that ultimate bad boy Zeus disguised as a white bull to make off with Europa.  Figured the white clay was apt here although the original (in the British Museum) is red-figure

 

Doesn’t show here, but I have been working. The pots have taken a turn to being more like canvases for my painting and drawing now

Still trying to stay true to the spirit of black or red figure pottery that the Greeks did.  Some results turn out better than others. I prefer throwing white clay, but the brown clay fires to a richer finish.

White clay:

Also started playing around with Greek decorative elements. Do you know how hard it is to do a Greek key design freehand??

Some things come out better than others. It’s all an experiment.