I know Thanksgiving has just passed and while I'm a big proponent hitting the trail instead of the mall, the truth is we all need to do some holiday shopping at some point for the loved ones in our lives. This doesn't mean that we can't be thoughtful about what we choose to give, so I wanted to share why I think it’s so important to buy less, buy local and support artists.
I’m a minimalist at heart and when I’m gift giving for holidays or birthdays, I usually give things-to-do instead of things-to-have but sometimes it’s just more appropriate to give a thing, in which case I usually give art, plants or food. I know its easier to pick out the decorative candle in your friends favorite color than it is to pick out a small watercolor painting of your friends favorite flower, but isn’t that what gift giving should be about- taking the time to find something special, not just some thing. Art doesn’t have to be an expensive item, most artists have work in a wide price range, offer gift certificates or sell affordable prints of their originals. Buying from local artists helps your money stay within your community, keeps artists employed and with the gift of art, you can share the art, the artist and the story behind the art with your friends and family.
This year, I encourage you to reach out to your favorite artists and find out what they have available and shop in the galleries or retail stores that carry locally made items because as the saying goes, the earth without art is just ‘eh’.
Thank you for supporting independent artists so we can keep doing what we love! From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!
New pieces from my Rock Candy Series are now available in the SHOP! These were first exhibited at Open Studios this fall, now there are only 6 of these beauties left and at $125 each, they are priced to sell! The ceramic rock forms are affixed to locally found driftwood in intriguing compositions. Small enough to fit anywhere and big enough to make an impact in your space! The driftwood has a small hanger on the back so indoors or out, they can be wall mounted or placed on a table surface to create a fantastic centerpiece. Perfect for that person who is always collecting rock and shells at the beach. And if you're local to Santa Cruz County, order online and pick up at the studio for FREE!
I’ve just launched a new video on myYou Tube channel! I’m making these pieces for a custom order and thought it would be a great opportunity to share the process. This is a quick time lapse video of me making a sprout form in the studio, the video is less than a minute long but the piece took about a 20 minutes to make. The next steps are for it to dry completely, be fired in the kiln for about 10 hours, then glazed and fired once more. I’ve made hundreds of these little sprouts to be used as the inside pieces of my Nest Series. A few of these pieces were also featured in the Fire & Water In the Field Series. I hope this helps you understand all the work that goes into making even the smallest of pieces. Enjoy the video and let me know what you think!
time lapse: making a sprout form
earth art studio, aptos ca, 0:48