tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9523486129020770042012-02-16T06:29:06.113-07:00Mad for Mud PotteryPaula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.comBlogger441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-71677664832821015372012-01-27T22:25:00.000-07:002012-01-27T22:25:47.476-07:00Can't Quit Drawing!I had no idea drawing would become an obsession. After feeling incredibly inadequate earlier this evening, I finished painting triangular birds on pottery and then took up some portrait drawing, against the advice of my drawing teacher.
Had to do something to quash the feelings of being a wretched artist!
Tonight's portraits are so-so, but I could see SO much as I put the faces to pencil...so Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-90240289285406016842012-01-25T21:15:00.000-07:002012-01-25T21:15:40.490-07:00Negative Space, My BlindnessStruggling so much with drawing negative space. I can see it, I can think I understand it, but my brain wants to lock up when I try to draw it. Had a bit of a breakthrough tonight by drawing the human form in yoga positions. It helped me a lot if the form could touch the frame of the picture in at least three places, dividing the picture into at least three separate negative space pics.
Crazy Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-15690948000275043082012-01-17T21:22:00.001-07:002012-01-17T21:26:21.823-07:00Long Time, No Blog...SAD I'm Not a Fan of WinterEvery January for the past 7 years I've suffered from some form of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I've spent my life living in climates that have a definite winter season, but for some reason I have only been hit with depression during the winter in my mid-fifties. It's not as debilitating as full-blown depression, but it sure makes a muck of 3-4 months of my year...every year. One year I tried Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-53465749613523478002011-12-13T21:53:00.000-07:002011-12-13T21:53:14.657-07:00Mugs for Those With Limited MobilityAt our recent sale I had one mug I'd made that I felt I'd ripped off from a friend's idea (which is why I only made one). It turned out to be small enough for a child's hand only, but another friend actually purchased the mug for her husband, who is living with MS. We had a good conversation about people with limited mobility, how difficult it is to grasp and hold and I feel like such a stooge Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-60899087240560233722011-12-12T20:31:00.000-07:002011-12-12T20:31:18.648-07:00Spring Planning and Winter GlumsMy brain is full of ideas for more clay work, but I'm distracted by visions of sugar plums and cookie recipes. Miraculously found the time and energy to purge the studio. It's SO clean, and between rolling of slabs and sprigging of pots it's the perfect spot (with lots of long tables) to wrap gifts for my sweet family.
Plans are afoot to slyly evade my annual nemesis, SAD. Lots of very bright Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-86213266941735944772011-12-01T15:32:00.000-07:002011-12-01T15:32:26.884-07:00A New Face for Food!
Subtle faces pressed into these bowls smile sweetly to remind you that food is good.Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-34484903335985549742011-12-01T15:29:00.001-07:002011-12-01T16:21:32.665-07:00The Bowls That Begged for Decoration
Several years ago I made a large leaf stamp out of clay. When I used it to make sprigs for the first two bowls, it was the first time I'd done anything with it. I like the fat, lazy leaf draping over the lapis bowl.
Curly, swirly vines inspired me to decorate.
Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-2371595103248092142011-12-01T15:24:00.000-07:002011-12-01T15:24:27.898-07:00Hand Warming Mugs
These mugs were made by indenting one side and putting a small "thumb ring" on the other side, rather than a full handle.
They were made to hold, filled with hot goodness, on a cold wintry day.
See the photo below to see how they're held. I can tell you it was not easy to hold the mug and snap the photo, so apologies for the poor image quality!
Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-41777001188878679052011-12-01T15:20:00.000-07:002011-12-01T15:20:20.092-07:00Those Knotty, Knotty Mugs!
I had so much fun twisting these handles. I hope to become more brave and do more, now that I know it IS possible to get them through two firings in one piece.Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-17107231027364431022011-12-01T15:15:00.000-07:002011-12-01T15:15:39.806-07:00Serving Dishes...Not Round Anymore!I love these long, elegant forms. They're about 19 inches in length, and 6-7 inches wide.
Originally I'd thought of using them for olives or breads, but it occurred to me there's no reason you have to put your veggies, or potatoes, or anything else, in a round bowl.
Besides, you can line more of these up on your table than you can put round bowls...ha ha!
Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-32226180157989652152011-12-01T15:04:00.000-07:002011-12-01T15:04:25.107-07:00Winter Birds and Whimsy Fish
Sometimes I just have to paint. I've always been intrigued by birds on bare branches, gazing at a winter sky.Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-57364742032413194592011-12-01T15:02:00.000-07:002011-12-01T15:02:11.983-07:00Refreshing Root Beer...GlazeI can't help but smile when I open the kiln to see this delightful glaze. It pools beautifully on the inside bottom of pieces, breaks beautifully over stamps, sprigs and etching. It doesn't run! What's not to like?
Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-70306906368232543992011-11-28T10:17:00.000-07:002011-11-28T10:17:49.820-07:00Festoonery Noel!This weekend! Saturday, December 3 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at 2403 Dallas Creek Court in Fort Collins CO we'll have a variety of wonderful art for purchase. Please join us for some light food and drink and to shop for gifts or shop for yourself in a warm, relaxed, and friendly atmosphere.Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-67443834584936149672011-11-22T21:59:00.000-07:002011-11-22T21:59:50.129-07:00Delicate StuffBroke two mug handles pre-bisque tonight. Almost expected it because the knotty handles seem to need more TLC than I usually provide. But!! Lots of fun etching on pieces destined for root beer glaze. Yes! I also took a look at some bird drawings I had done on small pieces, tweaked them a bit, and deemed them possibly acceptable. Photos sometime next week when glaze load is finished. For the mostPaula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-59322541605791397042011-11-15T21:24:00.001-07:002011-11-30T16:58:47.571-07:00Sur le Table
Dizzy can't stay away from the wheel. Every time I go to my studio I find he's appropriated my table. It's good that cat hair burns out during bisque firing.
Knotty mugs and sprigged bowls drying.
I'm sure I've never been so excited about getting to my studio to form my clay. This is not the time of year I'm usually in high energy mode, but for some reason I keep wanting to try new Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-61658952488358080272011-11-13T18:20:00.000-07:002011-11-13T18:20:34.510-07:00Wonderful Greeley ArtI'm still so dumb about knowing my venues. Yesterday was not rewarding financially, but on a personal level it was outstanding! It was a lot of fun to interact with so many other artists and so many of them were so young, bright and enthusiastic that they sparked my spirit. Thanks so much, Kelly! I had amazing interactions with patrons and learned a lot about my pottery...wow! Yesterday's Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-73659533649083622282011-11-09T09:50:00.000-07:002011-11-09T09:50:13.274-07:00This Saturday! I can't wait to do this show. I've seen the work of some of the artists here. The variety, creativity and quality is amazing. If you can make it to Greeley Saturday, it will be worth your trip!
Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-6307280986585692472011-11-09T09:47:00.000-07:002011-11-09T09:47:42.030-07:00
Mmmm....Root Beer. Plans are afoot for more open bowls, lightly etched, because these made me so happy when I opened my kiln last night!Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-12256177496168337212011-11-09T09:45:00.000-07:002011-11-09T09:45:10.719-07:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-79066176688092567392011-11-09T09:43:00.000-07:002011-11-09T09:43:34.510-07:00
Playing with underglaze pencil. I'll refine my technique and make some more of these little spoon rests/soap dishes with different sketches.Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-36263337109385321822011-11-09T09:40:00.000-07:002011-11-09T09:40:21.591-07:00
More cerulean and lapis. After seeing how well this glaze works with sprigging (bowl with leaves) I plan to do more.Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-1179703952319493942011-11-07T21:35:00.000-07:002011-11-07T21:35:33.818-07:00All Fingers CrossedFinal glaze load in the kiln before the Atlas Indie Arts Show in Greeley this Saturday. Lots of color and I hope nothing decides to crack. Tonight I added handles to the latest batch of mugs I threw last Friday and still need crossed fingers because I twisted and knotted the pulled handles. It was a hoot to do it, tho time-consuming. If I don't manage to bang them and break them, they should be Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-54183768131829231982011-10-31T13:06:00.001-06:002011-10-31T13:31:44.316-06:00Upcoming ShowsPaula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-83580619534375813502011-10-31T13:01:00.000-06:002011-10-31T13:01:45.965-06:00Cerulean and Lapis Satins
I'm in love...in love with color and the satiny feel of the finished pieces. I now have a batch of bowls waiting to be trimmed and glazed and of course, they'll all be finished in these amazing glazes.Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-42053789454266757832011-10-31T12:57:00.000-06:002011-10-31T12:57:57.573-06:00Root Beer Mugs
Not technically, but this is a delightful glaze that breaks incredibly well. When the mugs were bone dry I very lightly etched designs into them and the glaze did wonders highlighting the etchings. I also love the way it pools dark and rich at the bottom of the mugs.Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-17065433375533073232011-10-31T12:54:00.001-06:002011-11-01T21:34:42.822-06:00Coffee and donuts.
Light in the Forest MugPaula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-80225053739637572392011-10-31T12:52:00.000-06:002011-10-31T12:52:44.568-06:00I tried making a number of heavily textured platters glazed with a satin glaze because I thought that touching them would be delightful. It is. Unfortunately some of the layers of texture pulled up during glaze firing on most of the pieces. Always learning...Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-45941567191403873452011-10-20T20:13:00.000-06:002011-10-20T20:13:45.372-06:00Yikes!Oh, man, there's a lot of disappointment in trying something new and failing. "Well," I try to tell myself, "At least you're trying new things and the ideas seem good at the time." "Yes, but when you open the kiln and have 3 pieces that are marginally acceptable, it's a real blow, no matter how you say it comes with the territory of experimentation."
Tonight was just one of those nights. Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-20957761164312577092011-09-23T21:46:00.000-06:002011-09-23T21:46:23.668-06:00Mugs, Smugs and Random BlatherAs much as I enjoyed seeing visits to this blog, I removed Feedjit (or whatever it was) because I thought it might deter people from repeat visits. There's enough e-tracking going on now and I don't want to add to it. I will just imagine that someone from a faraway place will visit and maybe, eventually, somebody will leave a comment. That would be nice.
I went to a painting and wine class Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-16867652638350829332011-08-31T16:35:00.000-06:002011-08-31T16:35:54.428-06:00Fresh! Inspired by Good Summer EatsPaula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-68178014588384728992011-08-31T16:22:00.000-06:002011-08-31T16:22:17.475-06:00Photos from Artist Block, Greeley, CO August 26, 2011Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-49725896171863406892011-08-31T16:19:00.000-06:002011-08-31T16:19:29.761-06:00Serving in StyleI promise to take better photos soon! Summer's been pretty crazy with pottery, hiking, biking, gardening, sweating and not much time for taking good photos of pots. That will change! The olive trays here are actually much lighter in color (cream) than they appear. They're great for serving more than just olives. I use them for sliced baguettes and other small items. They're just nice to Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-85126447112176765642011-04-27T09:02:00.000-06:002011-04-27T09:02:16.293-06:00Great new glazes from Coyote Photos were taken on my iPhone in my basement studio. I tweaked the colors somewhat but they're not quite right. They're really quite beautiful in natural light. Just looking at the Key Lime ice cream bowls makes me hungry!
Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-39107305680696375662011-04-27T08:59:00.000-06:002011-04-27T08:59:09.843-06:00Cabinet pulls as handles I didn't care for either of these dishes until I added the pulls as handles. New ideas now!
Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-17919825985102854622011-04-27T08:56:00.000-06:002011-04-27T08:56:47.242-06:00Platter and mugs inspired by Costa Rica travelsPaula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-9875448230547285672011-03-19T16:01:00.001-06:002011-03-19T16:01:53.925-06:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-15273642535751049562011-03-19T16:00:00.003-06:002011-03-19T16:00:57.386-06:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-44585918894129732042011-03-19T16:00:00.001-06:002011-03-19T16:00:04.216-06:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-14550954665387328062011-03-19T15:57:00.002-06:002011-03-19T15:57:40.012-06:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-62461357855355534202011-03-19T15:56:00.002-06:002011-03-19T15:56:51.324-06:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-78191624712307014722011-03-19T15:55:00.002-06:002011-03-19T15:55:57.543-06:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-7096946147184450182011-03-19T15:47:00.002-06:002011-03-19T15:47:42.592-06:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-32924899879162018852011-03-19T15:46:00.000-06:002011-03-19T15:46:28.528-06:00Paula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-952348612902077004.post-22791977275321576062010-01-31T15:51:00.001-07:002011-03-19T15:43:42.472-06:00Platter MadnessPaula Mann-Shropshirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520258871667041080noreply@blogger.com0