Invaluable Artistic Experiences: La Fete' Ecologie 2011

I had the opportunity Sept 24th to participate in La Fete' d'Ecologie! For those of you who do not know what this is check out their website at http://lafete.btnep.org/LaFeteHome.aspx.

La Fete' d'Ecologie is a festival that celebrates Louisiana's environment, history and blend of culture in the Barrataria-Terrebone National Estuary. They have musicians, educational demonstrations, food, and folk life artists that show off what Louisiana has to offer. Its a festival worth checking out if you missed it this year. There is lots of hands on activities for kids! There are frog races, alligator pettings, cast netting, face painting and much more. This year the festival was held at Lake End Park of Morgan City. This is one beautiful area!

The Beautiful Lake End

Alligator Petting

Nature's Wonder and Awe

Dance to that Folk Music!

I had the wonderful opportunity to be able to participate as a Folk Life Artist this year thanks to a dear friend of Pottery Alley. Mr. Doug if you ever read this cheers to you! He gave my name to an inquiring friend of the Barrataria area. My booth was under the name Mudd Culture by Erin Lafleur.

One of my kiddies finished pieces!

Folk life artists were to demonstrate a domestic and or occupational craft that potentially increases the experience of festival goers and increase their understanding of the areas customs and resources. So I came up with a lesson for kids called "Nature Fossils". Nature Fossils are made by first creating a clay pinch pot. The pot is then flattened into a bed, much like the bottom bed of mud where fossils begin to form. Kids took items found from the park ground itself: acorns, leaves, grasses, rocks, tree branches, and even a feather. Imprints of these nature items are made in the clay bed. We then talked about gypsum (or its more common name: plaster). Plaster is a rock ground into a fine powder that hardens through an exothermic reaction when water is reintroduced to it. We poured plaster into our pinch pot creations and cast our imprints. The final step was adding a paper clip for hanging. The end result was a piece of artwork and a reminder of the importance of our natural surroundings around us.

I had two wonderful helpers! My friend David and my cousin Maddie. They were great with the kids and the demonstrations. David helped me sell my artwork and we kept each other company. Even splashed around in the lake...and in the sand.

Me and my little helper Maddie!

Thanks for helping Daveed

My booth was a tremendous success with the kids and parents. We ran out of supplies about 2 hours early, but the kids learned a lot and enjoyed the project. You should have seen their eyes light up when they found out we were making fossils. One little girl said she had just learned about that in school! For so many of the little ones it was the first time they had ever touched clay or for that matter even seen plaster. My booth was part of the kid scavenger hunt. Kids were given a list of trivia questions that pertained to each booth. My question was, "What is the smallest sediment found at the bottom of the Mississippi River?"...I gave hints. Can you guess?! I have the answer at the bottom of this page.

This little girl was so curious :)

I also had the opportunity to display my folk life work. So I brought along bowls, coffee, cups, coaster tiles, necklaces and sculptures. I sold a good number of my pieces and it felt good to break into the world of festival life. I handed out a bunch of my business cards. I had someone wanting to get in touch with me about working with a group of girl scouts. She even asked me how I got into ceramics! People legitimately cared about where I came from as an artist.

Zombie Princess Coffee Mug- Sold

Midwest Inspired Vase

Paisley Coaster Tiles- Sold

Decorative Tray ( business cards, soap, jewelry)

Necklaces- people loved these!

Overall the experience was wonderful! I would do it again in a heart beat. Next weekend I have another festival, Shadows on the Teche with Susannah, my boss lady at Pottery Alley.

I also got to visit my mom in Mississippi this weekend at her restaurant. My aunt and mom insisted that I leave some of my work with them and I had more necklaces sold that day :) Ceramic Life is so worth it.

From Drawing, to Printmaking, to Ceramic Work- an Artistic Evolution based on Consumer Necessity and Artistic Voice

So after much ado about…well nothing. I’ve come to the conclusion that an artist must bridge the gap between artistic voice and consumerism. Much of my college career was spent creating a voice, creating “my” style. I found my style steeped in conceptual thought. I modeled my work after ideas pushed by modern artists. (Thanks Art 21 for showing me the elite, the commissioned and seasoned) I wanted my work to stir up thought provoking ideas from viewers. I wanted my work to be viewed as if it were made up of a thousand words. I believe I achieved that in a sense. It certainly got talked about…but not bought.

Xenocentrism…who would have thought no one had a concept of what this is exactly. It’s quite the pun in that sense.

Case in point: A glimpse into my senior thesis work from college:

Babies made “creepy” out of context from the entire installation

Work simply too large to place on the wall in the comfort of anyone’s home 

I’m not saying that for an artist to feel accomplished their work must get sold. After all some artists are made more famous by what they haven’t sold; that which instead travels from show to show across the world. My work is a far cry from that status without a master’s degree at least.

So in order for me to feel accomplished I must some how bridge the gap between artistic voice and consumerism….so why not capitalize on what’s at the current peak of consumerism and something dear to my heart….coffeeeeeee.

Coffee mugs have quickly become another way of displaying self-identity after the 2000’s buzz on coffee culture. People want their daily brew and they want it in a cup that says something about themselves. So I let my wheels begin to turn.

So allow me to digress and explain the beginning of this evolution from voice to consumerism. In 2010 I returned to UL for my certification in Art Ed. Ms. Lynne Bustle suggested I take one more studio class so that I would be very prepared to teach youngsters many forms of art. All I needed was printmaking. One semester of this in my undergrad and I may have double majored….life has its way of skipping over details. Any who, printmaking became my friend..suddenly all those years of seemingly pain staking drawing paid off. Suddenly I loved the fact that I could make multiples of one thing. Linoleum was like subtractive sculpture…you had to think about the details…and I loved the challenge…I loved the potential for detail. I finished Printmaking with an A and shortly after I stopped having access to “drawing” multiples. Little did I know that this technique would surface again.

Fast forward to fall 2010. I am working at Pottery Alley teaching wheel and sculpture and my boss Susannah asks if I would like to help her with a production pottery line. The Super Cooper 5k Run needs 70 trophy mugs all with stamps on them that read “1^st place Women’s,  2^nd Place Men’s, 3^rd place Kid’s, etc.” I decide to use my plaster casting skills to make stamps. I stamp letter stamps for each word into a bed of wet clay and then cast these imprints in plaster. The result is a positive stamp of the words I need. Problem is the recess isn’t deep enough, but the stamps make due for our first bout with production pottery.

Super Cooper Mugs 2010

Its not until now Sept 2011, after having invested in 30 linoleum blocks and a cutting tool for printing blocks on paper that I’ve discovered the multipurpose use of linoleum blocks. One: the cut stamps can be rolled up with ink to create a negative  image of the stamp and Two: the cut stamps can be rolled in a slab of clay to create a positive of the cut stamp. The positive clay image can be used as appliqué on clay ware or by itself as a work of art, coaster, ornament or magnet. Thus birthed the idea of pop culture imagery on coffee mugs.

Example of one of my recently carved stamps printed on newsprint...a trial run to see if I like the image

The cut linoleum block itself

The stamp printed on a stark white mini thrown ceramic vase 

The real Gusto- the "Sookie" Stamp printed on one of my thrown mugs

Thats all for now folks!

Look for an upcoming blog on the Process of Lino Block Prints on Ceramic Ware

Thursday Night at Pottery Alley: Our Kickin Students (Part 1/3)

Many walks of life tread through the welcoming doors of Pottery Alley, whether for the love of art or for the desire to instill a new and creative hobby. No matter the reason we are all here to get Muddy. I have poked, prodded and pounded our Thursday Night Handbuilding and Wheel students into fessing up some juicy detail so that you readers out there who have never experienced the wonders of clay may see that it doesn’t take an artsy type to become an artist. We mold you into one creative machine….pardon the irony there.

Kelli Ka-Slam Smith           

Comes to us from: the good ole city of New Iberia; born and raised.

What does she do for a Living: She’s an Assistant Project Manager at JC Construction.

Her Background in Art: She grew up with an interest in the arts; taking classes in middle school and with local New Iberia Artists. She continued her love into college. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2007 with a degree in Architecture and Design. Her dream is to make a living as an artist and she’s paving her way via an at home studio and online shop on Etsy. Check out her store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/kellismco. When she’s not making inspired sculptural works she’s painting custom Toms, purses, bracelets, pot planters and more. Follow her blog at http://kellismco.blogspot.com/ or check out her website at www.kellism.co.

How long has she been with us: 2 months and counting

Who inspires her artistically: Sculptor and Painter Alberto Giacometti and Vincent Van Gogh; esp. Starry Night!

What she’s most known for in the Studio: Kicking derriere and taking names..in the most polite way possible.

Some of her work: (pictured below)

Amanda Hopkins           

Comes to us from: Venus (otherwise known as Lafayette)…her husband from Mars.

What does she do for a Living: She is the bookkeeper at Pottery Alley. Has a Bachelors from UL in Psychology and a Masters in Library Science and Information Studies from Florida State University.

Her Background in Art: She took up an interest with clay after taking 3 sessions with Bryce Brisco at Pottery Alley back in the day. She’s been hooked ever since.

How long has she been with us: 1 yr plus 3 sessions back in the day with Bryce (you hunk)

Who inspires her artistically: Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Scott Radke and Pablo Picasso.

What she’s most known for in the Studio: Her wicked laugh and most wonderful monster mugs.

Some of her work: (pictured below)

Kelly Huntsberry           

Comes to us from: the small but great city of Abbeville…she travels just to see us!

What does she do for a Living: She is an Independent Living Skills Instructor at Affiliated Blind of Louisiana.

Her Background in Art: She may not dub herself the most creative, but she’s definitely a right brained kinda gal. She’s tried her hand in many extracurriculars: from tennis to violin to jewelry and now to ceramics..this girl one well rounded lady.

How long has she been with us: 6 beautiful months

Who inspires her artistically: “Anyone that can draw a straight line”

What she’s most known for in the Studio: Her keen sense of patience and a knack for detail and craftsmanship in her work. She can get into the “zone”.

Some of her work: (pictured below)

Melissa Nero Boudreaux           

Comes to us from: the lafayette suburb of Scott, La!

What does she do for a Living: She is the very friendly Assistant Body Shop Manager at Hub City Ford

Her Background in Art: She needed a creative outlet, found us in 2007 and learned the wheel and now she’s back with a zing! She took class with her Sister Sarah Anne and he daughther Alyssa Boudreaux! She’s often inspired to make garden and outdoor decoration for her home.

How long has she been with us: One session with Emily and now two with us this year!

Who inspires her artistically: Ceramicist Lena Liu

What she’s most known for in the Studio: Her festive Garden Pieces

Some of her work: (pictured below)

My Wee Beginnings as an Artist: 2nd Grade Through High School

My artistic evolution started way back...back in the 2nd grade when my First Grade teacher Ms. Granger nominated me for entry into the talented arts program in St. Tammany Parish. I worked that year to create a portfolio, took the entrance test and by 2nd grade I was adopted into the art world. I credit my very beginnings to Mr. Douglas Brewster, who is still a practicing artist. I met him once again at his showing at a local gallery in Lafayette and I will never forget his passion and kind demeanor. I can still remember our marionette project. We got to make our own puppets with moveable parts and clothes. He always played music for us in the classroom and had a very supportive classroom climate.

Each week, along with about 6 other students, I would ride a bus to another school where we would meet our teacher and explore different mediums, learn about artists, and create. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to see the benefits of smaller student teacher ratios, observe classroom climate, and instill a love of art education in me. I took particular interest in the artist Georgia O'keeffe. I enjoyed her artistic sensibility, the way she depicted the undulating forms of flowers through darks and lights. She created intricate watercolor and acrylic paintings using value shapes instead of line. I valued her work and keen eye.

By 5th grade, when I started learning a little about art history and artists...in particular Vincent Van Gogh...I announced to my parents that I wanted out. I didn't want to be crazy like those artist people I said. Lucky for me my parents were very supportive of my endeavor and encouraged me to continue. They reassured me that not every artist was crazy. In fact, I looked up to every talented art teacher I had and they were artists too! 6th and 7th Grade was no different. I had Ms. Barbara Dooley those two years. She was serious about challenging her students and very supportive of our progress. I remember that year vividly; one project we made Mardi Gras masks/hats from giant pink foam. I made a crawfish hat and wore it proudly to a parade. We also did wire sculptures, paper mache and ceramic tile mosaics. This was the year that developed my love for sculpture! Ms. Dooley also sponsored an after school Art Club. She was the most enthusiastic and dedicated teacher I had for Art Club. She encouraged other students to attend art club; one of my best friends in fact. That made the year! In fact, if I end up teaching in the public school system I would prefer to work with middle school or high school students so that I can sponsor an art club modeled after my middle school experience.

At times I was so focused that I got lost in my work. So lost at times that my other subjects suffered. I remember 7th grade year...just like every year before I would miss two hours from the regular school week. That year it just so happened that I missed my math class. I struggled adding and subtracting negatives, missed important tests and got called on when I had no clue what was going on. It waned on my self esteem as a student. Luckily my dad, the petroleum engineer came to the rescue. He tutored me regularly and helped me bring my grades up and by the end of the year we were beating other parent student teams in a math competition at open house night!

High School was a new and challenging endeavor. Our talented art classes were broken down into more depth of process, we had to keep regular sketchbooks and do research on ideas and artists. Our senior year we had a show locally..much like a practicing professional artist shows their work. We hung our show, made announcement cards, prepared food for the opening night and talked about or work with visitors. This was a pivotal time in my artistic career. Showing your work can be nerve racking. Your work succumbs to the critical eye of both seasoned and first time art viewers. This was an invaluable experience for us.

This was One of Tika Hasslock's Blue Crab Platters

I also opted in my senior year to do an internship in the arts. I was set up for the first semester working with Tika Hasslock of Hasslock Studios of Covington, La. Hasslock Studios was a production pottery studio that decorated and sold production ware. I worked alongside their shop assistant who showed me tools like the jolly jigger, slip casting vats, slip casting molds, jigger molds, and their collection of electric kilns. I worked refining their green ware by sponging sharp edges before the first bisque fire. Then I observed alongside a decoration artist who worked with majolica glazes. She painted designs by hand and then personalized orders with monogramming. The majority of their business came from online orders. I also worked a bit in the office filing finished orders away for safe keeping. My second semester I worked with Ms. Mary Elaine Bernard at Stone and Paper Art Center LLC of Mandeville. Stone and Paper was a Community Arts Center. Several local artists taught classes there such as oil painting, watercolor, potters wheel and handbuilding and kids classes. I worked on studio maintenance. I regularly sieved glazes, scraped and kiln washed kiln shelves, wiped overglazed bottoms of work, cleaned and organized tools. I also answered phone calls and registered students for classes. I also observed and helped out with the kids classes. I regularly picked Ms. Bernard's brain about art education and starting her own business. She had a very strong spirit and she knew how to make things happen! She was very organized and on top of her business. I learned a lot from her! Both studios have since closed.

I can remember almost every teacher from high school from Mr. Ralph Townsend, to Ms. Cindy Rowen, to Ms. Jane Hill and Mr. Warren Heintz. These were the teachers that directed my future after high school. Ms. Hill taught us 2D Art and Mr. Heintz 3D. I developed my skills in ceramics, printmaking and drawing. More importantly they were my mentors. They extended their artistic and education philosophies. They encouraged me to attend college as an art student. I developed a mentoring relationship with them outside of the classroom after high school as professional artists. They helped me see the transition from classroom artist to studio artist. I worked the summer in between high school and college with Ms. Hill as a studio assistant. She created forms from clay inspired by mother nature. She taught me how to cast these forms into paper mache replicas that she would then reconfigure into new pieces. She taught me studio process, showed me her sketchbooks, shared her ideas. I left that summer feeling confident I was heading in a promising direction in college. I kept in touch with Mr. Heintz and Ms. Hill when I needed advice and they were always willing. I still try and keep in touch with them to see how they are doing to this day.

I won first place for this drawing I did at the Three Rivers Art Festival in Covington Louisiana while in High School. Ms. Hill suggested I submit this work.

When I left high school I didn't have my own artistic direction. I knew I wanted to do sculpture and my experience with ceramics was already instilled. It didn't take me long to decide that I was meant for a BFA. I got accepted to UL in 2004. My artistic saga continues....look for college and beyond in the upcoming weeks.

Refining Throwing Skills for Charity

Ok so this isn't necessarily an intrinsic reason for giving back, but aren't all parties supposed to benefit some how when you do service for others? I doubt I'm the first to make this confession.

Here goes: I've started throwing cups, along side my boss, one of our pottery students and a dear pottery friend.... for Charity! My boss is not only the Owner of the shop I work and teach at, but she's also the die hard director of Camp Bon Coeur (visit www.heartcamp.com). An organization that plans camp two weeks out of the summer for kids with heart defects. There the kids are monitored by staff and nurses while enjoying camp activities: swimming ( not just any old swimming...snorkeling, fake fish spearing, and junior life guarding), archery, art, cake decorating, heart class, bug class, french, horse back riding, fire club, games games games, sports and aerobics, and other specialized activities and events. As you can imagine its a blast for the kids and an opportunity for them to experience camp with kids who have similar difficulties and stories about their hearts.

I've been witness to and participated in a number of their fundraising events. Since my boss is the owner of a ceramics studio and the director at camp...well it only makes sense that the two would partner up for an event.

So Monday nights a few of us get together to make mugs for charity. Its a drawn out process....from 25lb bag of clay to wheel, to centering, opening, pulling and shaping, to drying, making handles, stamping bottoms, bisque firing and then finally glazing...well its a process well worth the outcome and makes lots of money for all our coffee loving compadres of lafayette. So if you have the need or want to better your throwing and glazing skills and you have a soft spot for kids then join us!

Here is what I have so far :) email me at muddculture@gmail.com if you would like a custom order...all proceeds go to charity until we are done with this fundraising event!