| From Dust to Clay - Recent Happenings |
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| Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Content property of From Dust to Clay, LLC All rights reserved |
| Sumi Vase gets auctioned off at Habitat for Humanity Event |
The vase pictured to the left
was donated to the Portland
Habitat for Humanity "First
Thursday" Benefit Auction
held at City Hall. The
benefit raised a total of $400,
which will be used toward
building materials to
construct simple, decent,
affordable Habitat for
Humanity homes in Portland.
was donated to the Portland
Habitat for Humanity "First
Thursday" Benefit Auction
held at City Hall. The
benefit raised a total of $400,
which will be used toward
building materials to
construct simple, decent,
affordable Habitat for
Humanity homes in Portland.
| Bill and Sandy become members of Oregon Potters Association |
In January 2007, Bill and Sandy became members of the Oregon Potters
Association. OPAis a non-profit group of clay artists working in Oregon and
Southwest Washington, USA.
OPA serves as a professional liaison between the public, galleries, businesses,
publications and arts agencies locally, nationally and globaly. Our members
organize cooperative purchases to obtain pottery supplies, books and materials at
quantity discount prices. We help and enable members to publicize, exhibit and sell
their work at the annual OPA Ceramic Showcase and in conjunction with other
guilds, fairs, and craft organizations. Bill will be helping visiting potters from
Mexico at the Ceramic Showcase Event Sunday May 6, 2007.
Association. OPAis a non-profit group of clay artists working in Oregon and
Southwest Washington, USA.
OPA serves as a professional liaison between the public, galleries, businesses,
publications and arts agencies locally, nationally and globaly. Our members
organize cooperative purchases to obtain pottery supplies, books and materials at
quantity discount prices. We help and enable members to publicize, exhibit and sell
their work at the annual OPA Ceramic Showcase and in conjunction with other
guilds, fairs, and craft organizations. Bill will be helping visiting potters from
Mexico at the Ceramic Showcase Event Sunday May 6, 2007.
| Bill meets Master Potters from Mexico |
The Oregon Potters Association hosted Master Potters from Mexico during the Ceramic Showcase event May 6, 2007. Bill had the opportunity to
meet the potters and help them sell some of their pots at the event. It was an inspiring experience to meet Alberta Sanchez Mateo and Macrina Mateo
Martinez from San Marcos Tlapazola Oaxaca, Angelica Vazquez Cruz from Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, and Angel Santos Juarez from Tonala,
Jalisco. These four individuals are a sampling of the breadth of style, form, technique and cultural history in the Mexican clay world. We learned about
their fascinating history, and gained a better appreciation of their pottery traditions. It was nice to help them reach a broader market and see them earn
some resources to continue their ancient arts. Here is a video link to "The potteers of San Marcos." Master Potters Video Link
meet the potters and help them sell some of their pots at the event. It was an inspiring experience to meet Alberta Sanchez Mateo and Macrina Mateo
Martinez from San Marcos Tlapazola Oaxaca, Angelica Vazquez Cruz from Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, and Angel Santos Juarez from Tonala,
Jalisco. These four individuals are a sampling of the breadth of style, form, technique and cultural history in the Mexican clay world. We learned about
their fascinating history, and gained a better appreciation of their pottery traditions. It was nice to help them reach a broader market and see them earn
some resources to continue their ancient arts. Here is a video link to "The potteers of San Marcos." Master Potters Video Link
Art Shows
We have also been busy in 'the lab' formulating a new red color. I received a commission to do a red serving dish and had to
develop the red glaze. You may not know it, but red is one of the most difficult colors to create in a kiln (especially in an electric
kiln). Most of the cherry reds that you see actually have lead or cadmium in them (which of course are highly toxic). A lot of
the iron based reds really are dark brown. So it makes it very difficult to achieve a non-toxic red. But thanks to the miracle of
modern technology and some cool glaze software I have achieved a non-toxic, food safe red. It's actually closer to a bergundy
but that is the color I was really after.
develop the red glaze. You may not know it, but red is one of the most difficult colors to create in a kiln (especially in an electric
kiln). Most of the cherry reds that you see actually have lead or cadmium in them (which of course are highly toxic). A lot of
the iron based reds really are dark brown. So it makes it very difficult to achieve a non-toxic red. But thanks to the miracle of
modern technology and some cool glaze software I have achieved a non-toxic, food safe red. It's actually closer to a bergundy
but that is the color I was really after.
| Examples of our work can be found in the 'Gallery Pages'. Below are highlights from some of our recent events |
The Rockaway Beach Art Show is an annual event. Every year we have a great time at this show on the beautiful Rockaway Beach.
Sandy and I had a great time walking on the beach in the morning and attending to our art booth during the day. We got lots of nice compliments on
our work and sold a fair share of pieces. And we got to see some other beautiful art and meet some nice folks. We also get to spend a few days
together before our Anniversary on 8/21.
Sandy and I had a great time walking on the beach in the morning and attending to our art booth during the day. We got lots of nice compliments on
our work and sold a fair share of pieces. And we got to see some other beautiful art and meet some nice folks. We also get to spend a few days
together before our Anniversary on 8/21.
| Nativity Sets |
We have been busy making Nativity Scenes. These became our signature item a couple of years ago when we started
making them as family gifts. We have always been a collector of Nativity sets - collecting them from around the world. Our
design was started by Sandy when she made a set of figurines in the early 1990's.
Pictured above are the various designs we have made. To the left is some of the ones we have collected and Sandy's
original figurine design in the middle.
making them as family gifts. We have always been a collector of Nativity sets - collecting them from around the world. Our
design was started by Sandy when she made a set of figurines in the early 1990's.
Pictured above are the various designs we have made. To the left is some of the ones we have collected and Sandy's
original figurine design in the middle.
Now Featured at the Grotto
Art in the Burbs - Becoming an Annual Event for Us
See the story published in 2007 - we were Featured Artists!
Local artists donate 20 percent of sales to Tigard-Tualatin school’s art fund
BY LEAH WEISSMAN
The Times, Oct 16, 2008
Stage lighting for drama, new instruments for the music program, special printers for photography class – these luxuries were afforded by Tigard-
Tualatin schools last year, thanks to the Art in the Burbs fund-raiser. And this year, with the help of more than 100 artists from Beaverton to
Eugene and thousands of Portland-area residents, Oregon communities will help raise more money for the school district’s art grant fund this year.
“Our tagline is ‘Local Artists Supporting Student Artists,’” said Susan Cameron, co-chair for Art in the Burbs and member of the Foundation for
Tigard-Tualatin Schools. The art show, which is in its eighth year, has transformed from a small gathering to a giant exhibit and draws crowds
throughout Oregon with its unique collection of pottery, paintings, glass, photography and other Pacific Northwest art.
While many artists come back each year, others are joining the exhibit for the first time. Beaverton artist Sherrie Rieger will show her work, which
includes digitally-enhanced photographs of nature scenes.
See the story published in 2007 - we were Featured Artists!
Local artists donate 20 percent of sales to Tigard-Tualatin school’s art fund
BY LEAH WEISSMAN
The Times, Oct 16, 2008
Stage lighting for drama, new instruments for the music program, special printers for photography class – these luxuries were afforded by Tigard-
Tualatin schools last year, thanks to the Art in the Burbs fund-raiser. And this year, with the help of more than 100 artists from Beaverton to
Eugene and thousands of Portland-area residents, Oregon communities will help raise more money for the school district’s art grant fund this year.
“Our tagline is ‘Local Artists Supporting Student Artists,’” said Susan Cameron, co-chair for Art in the Burbs and member of the Foundation for
Tigard-Tualatin Schools. The art show, which is in its eighth year, has transformed from a small gathering to a giant exhibit and draws crowds
throughout Oregon with its unique collection of pottery, paintings, glass, photography and other Pacific Northwest art.
While many artists come back each year, others are joining the exhibit for the first time. Beaverton artist Sherrie Rieger will show her work, which
includes digitally-enhanced photographs of nature scenes.
The Oregon Potters Association Ceramic Showcase - once again we will be at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR.
for the largest indoor pottery show of its kind in the USA. Come see us in Booth C-18 on Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2nd.
for the largest indoor pottery show of its kind in the USA. Come see us in Booth C-18 on Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2nd.
Oregon Potters Association Empty Bowls Booth. We will once again chair this event and be part of the group of artists selling
their personal wares on Saturday and Sunday. The event uses donations from potters to raise money for the Oregon Food Bank. We raised ~
$13,000 last year bringing OPA's total to above $200,000 since the event began in 1993. This years event is Friday - Monday, July 2-5, 2010 on
the Waterfront Downtown, Portland. Come by for some great Blues music and please stop by the OPA Empty Bowls Booth and purchase a
beautiful piece of Pottery to help Feed the Hugry.
their personal wares on Saturday and Sunday. The event uses donations from potters to raise money for the Oregon Food Bank. We raised ~
$13,000 last year bringing OPA's total to above $200,000 since the event began in 1993. This years event is Friday - Monday, July 2-5, 2010 on
the Waterfront Downtown, Portland. Come by for some great Blues music and please stop by the OPA Empty Bowls Booth and purchase a
beautiful piece of Pottery to help Feed the Hugry.
Visalia Rescue Mission Empty Bowls Event. Bill worked with his company and a customer in California to help the Visalia
Rescue Mission. We put on an Empty Bowls Event and raised over $4,000 for the Viasalia Rescue Mission.
Rescue Mission. We put on an Empty Bowls Event and raised over $4,000 for the Viasalia Rescue Mission.