Wednesday, December 19, 2012

A toast to a year well spent !

As I was wraping up work in the studio for the long holiday break, it made me reflect on how much I accomplished since a year ago. Probably because I was standing in a new addition that doubled my working space. It took some time to get it done, but I was able to manage nicely with the kiln temporarely plugged in the garage. Now everything is consolidated in one area. It feels like a real working studio !

Several other breakthroughs happened. The first was a real glaze course by Hyperglaze guru, Richard Burkett, this Summer. It opened my eyes on the intricacies of glaze making. Something that was only intuitive before just clicked. I devoured several glaze books, including Hopper's, played with Hyperglaze and my test kiln, and soon I had some nice looking glazes that fit my porcelain work. I never get tired of opening my glaze loads with the excitment of a 5 year old standing in front of the Christmas tree.

The change to a fully operational studio brought a lot more of focus to my work. What do I need to do to survive ? What do I really want to do ? What are my goals ? "The Artist's Guide - How to make a living doing what you love" by Jackie Battenfield was another eye opener. I never dared asked myself those fundamental questions, and so I was free floating in the gray area between recreational and professional. But getting my studio set up was a big commitment, and not just financially. Suddenly it gave me a direction, a nudge towards setting up goals. And with that, the need to refine my portfolio. Low- and high-fired porcelain came more into focus. I spent more time developing my Saggar firing. And I changed my approach to include more pre-design work before sitting at the wheel, or rolling a slab.

Most of it happened in the last 6 months. It is still raw. 2013 is the year of refinement. And hard work. So here is my toast to 2012, a year of transformation and change. I embrace the new year with open arms and an open mind.    

The new kiln room

Monday, December 10, 2012

5th Annual SD Pottery Tour was a success !

Thank you to all of you who stopped at Studio #3 on the Tour this week-end ! It was a real pleasure to meet and talk with old and new customers. It was especially heartening to see more people than last year. We are hopeful to grow the Tour into a must-see event in San Diego for December. High work quality and word of mouth will make it possible. So please spread the word. San Diego has a fantastic Art community that needs your support to grow and thrive. See you in 2013 !

A busy week-end

Danae by her studio

Danae and friends by her table

DiAnne by her table

Ron getting his table ready

Showing off my new work

Porcelain work

More porcelain work

5-min break !

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Ready for lunch ?

Looking for a place to have lunch during the SD Pottery Tour ? Danae got you covered !
She compiled a list of places around her studio  (location #3) in La Mesa. For your convenience, we'll have printouts at our location.

Lunch Menu


Asian


Himalayan Cuisine
7918 El Cajon Blvd
(619) 461-2503

Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill
8555 Fletcher Pkwy
(619) 589-0071

Tamarind Thai Restaurant
7970 University Ave
(619) 337-2581

Russian


The Village House Kalina
8302 Parkway Dr
(619) 461-1100

Pub/Sports Bar


Hooley's Irish Pub
5500 Grossmont Center Dr
(619) 713-6900

Johnny B's Burgers & Brew
8393 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 464-2465

Italian


Tiramisu Trattoria
8273 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 698-0096

Sanfilippo's Pizza
8141 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 464-2088

Centifonti's Restaurant
8365 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 461-4434

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and Grill
8555 Fletcher Pkwy
(619) 460-8555

Mexican


Mario's De La Mesa Restaurant
8425 La Mesa Blvd
619) 461-9390
Marieta's
8949 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 462-3500

Casa De Pico
5500 Grossmont Ctr Dr
(619) 463-3267

Por Favor Mexican Restaurant 
8302 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 698-5950

American


The Vine Cottage
6062 Lake Murray Blvd
(619) 465-0198

Gingham
8384 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 797-1922
Brigantine
9350 Fuerte Dr
(619) 465-1935

Chili's Grill & Bar
8285 Fletcher Pkwy
(619) 589-9890

Claim Jumper
5500 Grossmont Center
(619) 469-3927

BJ's & Brewhouse
5500 Grossmont Cntr Dr
(619) 589-7222
Swami's Cafe
8284 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 668-9030

La Mesa Bistro & Bakery
8697 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 589-0806

The Trolley Stop Deli
 8150 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 697-3354