Fly Kelly Daniels to Penland

My personal success on Kickstarter did so much more than grant me the funds I needed to continue a series of textile works. My success showed me there were people who believed in me, it proved to me I can do whatever I set my mind to if I just set it, and it sparked this idea that anyone can experience the same success if I just pay it forward a little bit at a time.

That being said, I want to put it out there again that if you start a project on Kickstarter I want to know, so I can help.

(Mud)Bucket reader and web-pal Kelly Daniels sent me an email yesterday about the Kickstarter project she launched just launched, "Fly Me to Penland". Kelly is trying to make it to Penland to study with Kathy King in March and we can help her tremendously by supporting her project on Kickstarter. Kelly has several awesome ceramic rewards for helping her out so this is a great way to add to your mug collection or grab a new little nightstand treasure (a ring dish is the first ceramic reward).

Watch the video above and then click on over to Kickstarter to pitch in and select you reward. Kelly is truly talented. I can't wait to see what she learns at Penland. :)

Kathryn Finnerty

What I love most about Finnerty's work is the way she plays with positive and negative space. The shapes within these pots, created by the fine lattice-work, the curling handles, and the jutting spouts, are enough to examine for hours before you even begin to discover the texture, color, and imagery. Finnerty's work makes you consider how much room for design, style, and creativity there is in just one pot.

(images via accessCeramics with artist's permission)

James Tisdale

Let's get a little figurative, shall we?  Aren't these sculptures by Austin-based ceramist, James Tisdale incredible? I love all the detail in each piece, from the colors to the gestures, it really allows a story to develop within the sculpture. I feel like a lot of sculpture lacks that quality- narrative, which is a shame because narrative is one of the aspects of sculpture that keeps it from being static and boring. Wouldn't you agree? 

(images via artist's website with permission)

Tess Stilwell

I have been meaning to post some of Tess Stilwell's work for over a year, so that the original images I chose to share were exchanged for the shots of these adorable cups from the artist's thesis series. I really love how the patterning and characters have evolved in this work. The quality of line, the placement, the subject matter, and the amount of imagery have reached a very balanced aesthetic. Don't you think?

P.S. So sorry for my absence. I have been busy with so much lately. Including my Kickstarter project. Woot Woot. Thank you to all my (Mud)Bucket friends and readers who supported me and helped make it such a success. :)

(images via artist's website with permission)

Peggy Loudon

I'm feeling girly today. Maybe it's the Mazzy Star playing in the background, who knows.

I love Loudon's graceful pots and I think what dazzles me the most is that even though all the scrapping and stitching on these posts should feel rough, it doesn't. These pots feel delicate and wistful, perhaps due to the gentle colors, the simple shapes, and the thin walls.

They are so lovely.

(images via artist's website with permission)