Playing With Home Brew

No, its not what you think.
I've recently learned about a relatively obscure eastern European firing technique called Obvara.

It is apparently meant to seal pots and creates some lovely effects.
The ware is heated to about 1800 degrees f and then cooled to about 1500 f. Its ten removed from the kiln and plunged quickly into a brew of yeast. flour and sugar (though I'm going to play with that mixture...) and then plunged into a water bath.
The brew carbonizes on the ware, sealing the pot and leaving its mark.

I'm hoping to explore the technique more over the next few months and gain some skill with it.
I can certainly see that it will lend itself to my work quite nicely!




Stay tuned...
CMCK

April 20-21 - 53rd Annual LCAC Spring Show

I'm excited to let you all know that my piece "Relic" was juried in to the 53rd annual Lodi Community Arts Center's Spring Show.

This is a wonderful event, showcasing a diverse set of artists from all over California, and held it the barrel room of the Robert Mondovi Winery - Woodbridge. A very cool venue to be sure.

Last year, my piece "The Outrage" won 3rd Place in 3D in this show, though after seeing some of the other works, I'm amazed it placed at all. I expect I'm in at least as good company this year.

This year's show will be held April 20 and 21,  at the winery in Acampo, Ca.
5950 East Woodbridge Road Acampo, California 95220 
(209) 365-8139

I'll be attending at least one day - to be determined by my family I expect.
Hope to see you there!

May 10 - June 01, America's Clayfest

Today I received my acceptance letter! 
My "Egret and Snake" sculpture was juried in to the America's Clayfest (formerly Feats of Clay) show!
I'm pretty excited ;-)The show will be held at the Blue Line Arts gallery in Roseville, Ca this year.
Mine was one of 80 pieces selected out of more than 350 entries, from all across the U.S. as well as several other countries.

The show will open May 10, 2013 and run through June 1, 2013.
I am intending to attend the reception, which will be Sat, May 10, 2013, so if you're thinking about coming to see the show, I hope you'll try for then so we can say hello.

Lint Feeder Give-Away!

Besides my sculpture, I do a small amount of functional work, which can be purchased through my Etsy Shop.

One of my most popular springtime items is the Lint Feeder.

Its always seemed a bit of a waste to me to just toss the lint from our dryer into the trash.

Problem solved with this little lint feeder! Hang it on an exterior wall, fence post, tree or anywhere birds gather in spring, and let the birds feather their nests with your dryer lint!   

So I'm giving one away!
The winner will receive their choice of any Lint Feeder in the shop!  
Just in time for spring!

Its easy, and there are lots of ways to enter. Just visit my Facebook page and click on the blue "Giveaway" tab. Pin the photo, send a Tweet, comment and/or share.

Each one gives you an entry, so go crazy! Some you can even do every day!
The contest ends March 31, 2013 and I'll announce the winner on April 1st, 2013.

***NOTE!***  After you Like, Share, Comment, Pin or Tweet, you MUST click the green button in the lower left corner of the option you've chosen to be entered!            

Anyone can enter, but winners outside the US will be responsible for shipping charges.
Good luck!

Second Saturday Art Night

March 9 marks my second week in Ventana Gallery, and my first inclusion in Sonora's Second Saturday Art Night.

Currently I have 10 pieces showing in the gallery. Everything from small pieces priced under $100, up to my puffin sculpture "The Outrage", which took 3rd Place in last year's Lodi Community Art Council's Spring Show.


If you're in the Mother Lode Saturday, please do stop by the gallery and have a look! So much wonderful art!

meanwhile, I'm back in the studio splitting my time between some functional pieces for spring/summer fairs, and a couple of new sculptures I need to get out of my head and into the real world.

Oh! And a little reminder. if you've stumbled upon the blog from the World Wide Web, please do continue on to my website www.CNewlin.com to see what else is cookin'!

stay tuned...
CMCK