Artmaking

Studio Tour Part One: North Wall

 

Liz Crain Ceramics Studio

 

Here begins a four-part virtual Studio Tour of my ceramic-making digs. We’re starting with the North Wall and will continue in the coming weeks to the other compass points. Expect sidetracks into the crannies of my small, semi-efficient  working space. I’m sharing my studio up close and personal as a way to augment my Artist Number 207 2015 Santa Cruz County Open Studio Art Tour.  During that Tour, visitors can peek in, but not enter this space.  Even if they could go in, they would not get this in-depth description. Besides, it’s all cleaned up then, but you’re seeing it un-staged and in use.

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Making Peace With The Beer Can Police

Liz Crain Ceramics

Usually my ceramic conetop beer cans delight. People marvel and touch. They tell me their beer can stories. They take them home to their mantels, dens and patios. Yet in truth not all go along with my artistic ruse. I find it’s nearly always because they are avid collectors of real metal vintage beer cans, and can’t abide my ceramic interpretations.  I call these guys The Beer Can Police and my work has been variously described by them as “fake,”  “pretty bizarre,”  and “weird beer can art.”

What follows are two instances where I got a chance to reply to their misguided objections and stick up for myself with kindness and perhaps a lil bit of schooling.

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A Stay of Execution

Daruma

 

 

It’s been a hard-workin’ nonstop year. After a seven month stretch of incessant production and showing, my clay buddies tell me it’s normal to feel a bit cranky and whomped.

Thing is, my case of whomp seems to have settled in. The flavor is out of the chewing gum and I can no longer get myself to happily go in the studio, much less work on stuff waiting there.

Dare I call it Burnout? Existential Ennui? Depression? Fear? Creative Blockage?

Maybe…

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Still Seeking, Not So Desperately

LocalTalkersGoingHome

I’ve had a fine old time connecting with 19 out of 53 (36% so far!) folks from the “Local Talkers 2009” series of mini face jugs that I made back then and am now giving away to the folks who unwittingly posed for them. IF I can find them!

The whole idea is described in my last post, if you’d like to delve further. That post also contains the list of all 53 names AND who’s been located so far. I keep updating it and I will also include the shortened list at the end of this entry as well.Read More >

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Desperately Seeking These 53 People!

 

Local Talkers 2009
Local Talkers 2009

I am parting out and giving away this group of 53 miniature face jugs from 2009. They come with the caveat that I am hoping to give each one to the person who, unbeknownst to them, was the inspiration for it. After six years, that is still possible – a few have already been delivered! –  but it will take some time and help getting the word out. Desperately seeking these folks – and the folks who know these folks – to put us in touch and complete a circle I never knew I was making.

The Backstory, The Epiphany, Spreading the Word and the List of Names follows.

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An Opening Gambit

Photo by Tazo Ozawa
Liz Crain with Flora Benzal at Roscoe Ceramic Gallery     Photo by Tazo Ozawa

 

 

Art Openings. I used to think they were about The Art. Nah. They’re about the people who come to see the art  – and just possibly the artists.

The Art matters mightily, don’t get me wrong, but The Opening Moment affords a certain focused richness and therefore matters more in real time.  It’s this Moment that I address here, which is informally subtitled, “What Really Happened at the First Friday Opening for my 99 Cans of Beer on the Wall Exhibit at Roscoe Ceramic Gallery in Oakland, CA.”

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99 Cans of Beer On the Wall

99CansSJsized

 

Glory Be! It’s here!

My first ever Solo Show, “99 Cans of Beer on the Wall”  is installed for the month of May at Roscoe Ceramic Gallery in Oakland, CA.

You’re invited, whether in person or virtually. Or both. I love that. You can see the display,  purchase a piece or two, or just say hey. It all counts.Read More >

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