I began taking down my “Dakota Prairie Home” exhibit at Bowman Regional Public Library yesterday. It was fun to see how the landscape and horse drawings looked together, along with the smaller cottonwood photos. Thanks to everyone for their encouraging comments and support, and to the library and Prairie Rose Art Association for their sponsorship.
“Prairie Trail” Drawing near Library Entrance
The reception for my “Dakota Prairie Home” exhibit went very well, and it was an enjoyable afternoon. I think people were glad to see bright, warm colors in the middle of February. I’d like to thank everyone for their support, from hauling the art over to the library, hanging it on the walls, typing and cutting labels, baking goodies for the reception, making punch, bringing music, getting the word out, showing up on a cold winter day, to buying some of my work. Thanks again to each and every one of you! I’d also like to express my appreciation to the Prairie Rose Art Association and the Bowman Regional Public Library for creating the opportunity to share my art with the people of this beautiful, inspiring country.
Prairie Rose Art Association after Hanging the Show
Label-making Helpers
At the Reception for the Exhibit
Well, one week from today, on Valentine’s Day, there will be a public reception for my “DAKOTA PRAIRIE HOME” exhibit at Bowman Regional Public Library. Please stop by from 2 to 4 p.m. for refreshments and to see my latest body of work. It should be a colorful display, with ten of my “Equus” drawings, nine of my newest landscapes, my first sunflower drawing, and ten of my recent cottonwood photographs. This show will be at the library through March, so you will have ample opportunity to check it out. Thanks again to Bowman Regional Public Library and the Prairie Rose Art Association for the opportunity to share my art with the community.
“DAKOTA PRAIRIE HOME” Exhibit Brochure
I am busy finishing pastel drawings for an exhibit at Bowman Regional Public Library. It will feature recent landscapes, along with my “Equus” series, the new line of cottonwood tree prints, and my first ever drawing of a sunflower. The title for this show is “Dakota Prairie Home” and it will be on display through March. There will be a public reception on Sunday, February 14th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Hope to see you there! Thanks to the Prairie Rose Art Association and Bowman Regional Public Library for sponsoring this exhibit. I’m excited to see how everything will look together!
Prairie Trail
The Prairie Rose Art Association met at Bowman Regional Public Library this afternoon to take down the “Art from the Heart” show. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this exhibit.
Prairie Rose Art Association
Angie Moser and Sarah Snavely presented a clay workshop at the Bowman Library recently, with funds from the Prairie Rose Art Association. It was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by the participants. We made an assortment of plates, tiles, vases and other objects, let them dry, then Sarah fired them in her kiln. I made several tiles and a platter with cottonwood leaves pressed onto them.
Adding Color and Pattern to the Fired Clay
The next step involved adding elements that would give the fired clay some extra color and pattern. Some of the items used were leaves, sawdust, pickle juice, copper wire, blueberries, and spray paint. Everything was wrapped tightly in newspaper and tied with twine, then smoke fired in barrels at the studio of Sarah Snavely.
My Platter with Sawdust, Copper, and Blueberries
Sarah Snavely’s Studio
I went over to Sarah’s studio this past weekend to see the results of the smoke firing. It’s hard to know just what to expect, and it was exciting to see all the different colors and designs that were created. A few pieces were cracked, but that is not unusual with this technique.
Sarah, Winchester, and the Smoke Barrels
We began to look over the pieces that had been fired in the first barrel. They had interesting swirls in black, grey, brown, white, and rosy pink. While we were viewing them, I noticed a wonderful sculpture of a greyhound in Sarah’s studio. She gave me tour of the place, showing me her latest tiles and other clay projects. Much to our surprise, her three greyhounds, which are the inspiration for her work, came bounding in, and the sculpture I had so admired got knocked to the floor, and crashed into bits and pieces! I must say she took it extremely well, and I was impressed with her calm restraint. It’s probably not how I would have reacted, that’s for sure!
Sarah with Sage and the Broken Sculpture
Inside the Smoke Fire Barrel
Inspecting the Newly Fired Ware
My Cottonwood Leaf Tiles
Detail of my Cottonwood Leaf Platter
This was a very fun and interesting experience, and I look forward to trying similar things again. I have a lot to learn about working with clay, but it is a nice change from all the drawing and photography. We may try a terra cotta clay, as well as the raku firing method in the future. I will glue the two tiles that cracked, and put a coat of wax on everything. Not bad for the first time out! Thanks, Sarah and Angie, for all you provided!