Texture Texture Texture

I recall how Daniel Rhodes, artist and sculptor, used to bring clay to the beach to roll out and pound onto the rocks to create interesting textures and shapes.  The California coast has many  inspiring places where I'd love to do the same.

Great times in Santa Cruz!

While my wife, Susan, and I were in Santa Cruz celebrating our 30th anniversary, we attended a new show at the Museum of Art and History (www.mah.org).  The exhibit was on the Big Creek Pottery School in Davenport.  Opened by Al Johnsen and Bruce and Marsha McDougal in 1968,  it flourished as a workshop oriented residential learning community until 1983.  During 50 workshops, the school offered an enlightened style of education focused on making functional, wheel-thrown pottery from start to finish.  The museum showed many works by the workshop presenters and some wonderful photos. The Big Creek Pottery, which Susan and I visited in the 1980, was a rather magical environment: a place for a life learning experience, a place to live and learn from others, build a community and solve problems......ahhh, those were the times!

One of my art heroes, Daniel Rhodes has several sculptures there at MAH.  Rhodes taught for 25 years at the NY State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and at UCSC (1977-1980).  He was an authority on ceramic techniques, gave workshops regularly, and wrote several books. Clay and Glazes for the Potter  is still one of my key reference books. 

NEW WEBSITE IS COMING!

My daughter, Roselle, is going to redesign a new website for me. You will still be able to access it at www.curwensclaystudio.com. There will be several pages showing work available for sale.

I recently brought 22 new pots to the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park and the Trios Gallery in Solana Beach. While I was hoping to make more room to work in my studio, I still have an overflow issue: I stopped counting after 60 pieces! 

This is more than enough to get me through this year's AAUW ART SHOW October 8-9  in Apple Valley.