An update

Its been a few months since I've sat down and looked back on my work over the last few months. Before it gets too far to remember I thought I'd better do now!

I've been testing quite a few glazes and finally have at least two that I will incorporate into my current work. Over the past few months I have also picked up a number of fabulous glassware pieces that I've been making moulds of. I really enjoy the greenware clean up process, paring back to tidy the finished product - as strange as it may sound it is actually quite enjoyable and relaxing! Except when you press a little too hard and then (@#*#JK(*#

I still can't seem to get building big out of my head and have done a few large coneish shell sculptures. One of my mentors is Mark Chatterley who just amazes me with his whole working process. I'll never be able to build as big as Mark's work but his work certainlly challenges your line of thinking.

Also I am working hard on the wheel to master that thing (is it ever possible??) with the help of my teacher at Tafe Carol. Now the end of year is close most of my classmates are working on their end of year work from home which means those at class have a little more one on one time with our teachers - great for me!

I'm also refreshing my skills learnt at the Winter School Printing on Clay Workshop I attended in Bowral in July this year and will incorporate this into my wheel work. I brought some of the samples back with me on the plane however I'm still waiting for a box of them to arrive by mail - can't wait! Shouldn't be too long now.

Progress for my book "The Sculptors Toolbox" is coming along very nicely. Interest from sculptors of all mediums has been great, the submissions to date are mostly out of the ordinary in terms of tools - not too many main stream items - which is going to provide a great read.

A few fabulous submissions from some truly talented (and patient) international sculptors. The quality of the images supplied has been great. We've extended the deadline date for another month; just to allow a little time for those gathering their images. An example page should be up on the website soon http://www.thesculptorstoolbox.com/

More soon.

Chards

Over the weekend I went to the Shed (still go there occasionally) to pick up some previously fired gear and brought it home. I got home on Monday night to find the shelf in my studio had come away from the wall dropping its contents onto my newly fired stuff!! Not happy Jan.

Note to self (and Partner) shelves need to be permanent!

I've had a few days to get over it but its still pretty upsetting. I had this awesome paperclay bowl I had made which is now in smithereens.

Student Again

Its been a while since I've written, since then I've enrolled in ceramics at Tafe. LOVE IT!
Its great to have access to some awesome tutors and the class is full of inspiring women of all ages. The facilities are great and am just so glad I'm there to further develop my skill.

Australian Ceramics Triennale

As if the Printing on Clay workshop in Mittagong wasn't enough for my brain, why not totally emerse myself whilst in NSW so.. thats what I did. I attended the last day of the Ceramics Triennale and didn't I have an awesome time!

The presentations we incredibly informative on subjects close to my heart such as working in the disability sector for therapeutic reasons as well as the fun challenges of exhibiting.

Noosa's very own Rowley Drysale sat on the Value of Exhibitions panel with Curator Peter Haynes and Gallery owner Helen Stephens which was chaired by the whitty and well travelled Janet Mansfield. Rowley's presentation about exhibiting for artists was bl**dy hilarious.

I also chatted with a few of my heros and put faces to some names I have been following for some time. Another presentation I really enjoyed was the Ceramic Passport presented by a number of artists who have attended residencies in China, Egypt, and France. This is certainlly a goal of mine one day.

Sydney

Winter School, Sturt Uni - Mittagong NSW

Another month has gone by, I can't believe its almost August. Last week I attended the Printing on Clay Winter School with Sturt Uni at Mittagong. It was fantastic! At final count we learnt about 14 different techniques to print onto clay.

Petra Svoboda our tutor was fantastic and our small group were all as enthusiastic as each other, participants came from Tassie, Newcastle, Thailand and Sydney and of course me ... Queensland.

Other than picking up many exciting techniques to broaden my skillbase I also feel I made some great friends who I'll stay in touch with and share my progression as I put my new learnings into action.

The weather was certainlly freezing, getting down to 1 - 3 degrees at night however the studios were warm and my beautiful Cousins house was a great haven to lay my weary head after a day of learning. I feel very fortunate to have had family to stay with while I was experiencing something quite special in my journey of ceramics.

time to gloat!

My day job is as a public relations and marketing consultant. My longest standing client is an aged care facility in Brisbane that I have a very big soft spot for.

This picture is of a book I published in celebration of Queenslands 150th Birthday and Trinder Parks 40 years of service. The sculpture by well known Queensland sculptor Kate French is of Arthur (Pop) Trinder who was the original donor of the land to the Lutheran Church back in the 60s.

The book is a compilation of more than 50 memoirs of residents, former residents, members of the community and community leaders within the Logan district.

The publication was sponsored by the Q150 Grant round and the event by Trinder Park and Lutheran Community Care. More than 100 people attended the celebration including State Member for Woodridge, Desley Scott and Councillor Russell Lutton. The original Matron of Trinder Park from the days of the doors opening in 1969 Judith Rose (Weppner) also was in attendance.

Other than having a bad (first time in four years) bout of the flu the day was fantastic!