Surfacing
I just got back from a fabulously inspiring work related vacation, The Enamelist Society Conference in Oakland, CA. It was fabulous to be back in the bay area, though it turns out I didn’t leave my heart there after all. I loved living there back in 2000, but I just don’t know if I could do it now. It’s so overwhelming and high key compared to the life I’ve gotten used to here in Oregon.
On to the conference!
There were lots of talks, breakout sessions, and classes to choose from. I’m a little sad I forgot my clonie as I wanted to go to them all!
My very favourite breakout was a talk from Martha Banyas: Looking for art in some of the right places. She is a well traveled and articulate woman, who I felt would be a kindred spirit. Her work is focused on the human form, animals, tattoos and masks using cloisonné and overglaze techniques seamlessly together. Being a dancer enchanted by the human form I was really digging it. She spoke favourite pieces from visiting the Cincinnati Art Museum as a kid, pieces which are high on my list as well (the tiny Egyptian animals and miniatures win out for me though). She’s currently in Portland, so practically my neighbor, and somehow I didn’t manage to pin her down out the conference. Field trip! Sorry I can’t find a link to her work, but she’s in Linda Darty’s bookJ
Post conference I took a workshop from Jessica Calderwood. Jessica is open, informative, encouraging, and experimental as a teacher. I had never attacked under and overglazes before as it always seemed like there were too many options (what powders or paints to buy, what oils or binders to use, etc) Jessica gave us the how and why of what works for her and we ran with it. I was quite impressed with the student work! I had a few issues with the ceramic decals (dropping my piece, smearing them off:/) but I’m pleased with where I got in three days. In a three day cloisonné class I’d have maybe gotten one piece done. In this class I almost finished three!
I made other connections with conference goers and mentors that were delights. In other mediums, I’ve met folks whose work I adore and whose personality is, well, evil. Enamelists seem to be a different breed, eager to talk about techniques, inspirations, silliness, and just about anything.
Click through to these fabulous people. They are awesome. Do it!
but I didn’t get to meet L
though he was there somewhere!
Egads. I have much more to say but you’ve already had to scroll down this far!
Taking it in,
~margarita
