Pots for the Northwoods Summer Art Tour

The Northwoods Summer Art Tour is this weekend. My studio will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I've got a lot of last minute things to get done still. Even when I plan ahead, I always seem to run out of time. I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow!

Here's a preview of the new pots fired on Sunday. Next week I will post action shots and stories from the tour.


This is one of my new ring holders. I call them jewelry pads.


There are 8 total.






This platter was a commission. It is titled "Black Bird Fly".


Here's a detail.














This is my favorite pot from the firing.




Cool detail shot!

Pigeon Road Pottery is on Facebook

I have set up a page on Facebook for my studio. Become a fan of Pigeon Road Pottery and receive the latest updates and blog posts right on your Facebook News Feed.

Greenware revealed

After a busy weekend in the studio, I completed everything that was under wraps, got it dry and bisque fired it today. Here is a sampling of my latest pieces, pre-glaze.


I did a little black and white scraffito work this cycle. After the art tour I plan to do another series of the brown and black scraffito pieces.






These are ring holders. I call them jewelry pads (after lillypads).






I made a lot of bowls. I love to throw them and people love to buy them.












I like this detail shot of a plate rim.


The raven platter at the top of the kiln was a commission piece for my friend Cheryl. I hope it makes it all the way through the process. She has been waiting for it for over a year.

I will be glazing all weekend and firing on Sunday and again next Wednesday if needed. Then it's time to get the studio ready for the art tour a week from Friday. Yikes, summer is half over!

What's under the plastic?

... 2 days worth of thrown pots. I'm working hard in my studio to get ready for the Northwoods Summer Art Tour. I'll be trimming and carving these "mystery pots" all weekend. I need to bisque fire them next Wednesday and glaze fire them next weekend — just in time for the tour on July 24, 25, & 26.

Check back soon for photos of my progress.

The Studio Gallery Closes

A couple days ago, we had to unexpectedly close The Studio Gallery in Boulder Junction. We are all sad to loose this special "homespun" gallery space. It had great energy & spirit. A new blog has been set up by Jan Zindel so our customers and friends can keep track of the 11 artists who called the Studio home. Visit thestudiogallery.blogspot.com to read more

Walk In The Woods Art Fair, Saturday, June 13, 2009

Last Saturday was my first show of the 2009 season. I participated in the Walk In The Woods art fair in St. Germain, Wisconsin. It is the 2nd year for this event, put on by the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce. It is a juried fine art show open to artists in any media. The event had approximately 50 artist booths, a wine and cheese tasting featuring Brigadoon Winery & Sartori Cheeses, and live music by Bret & Frisk, a local folk rock duo.


Here's a wide shot of my booth. My niece Jessica Border made my awesome tie dyed flag.


A shopper inside my booth.


Another angle.


Lots of little stuff I make — for fun and profit.

I wasn't expecting too much out of the event based on the current economy. After all, I do sell a so to speak "luxury" product. I made a few nice larger sales (thanks Kathy) and lots of little ones. The show wasn't a blowout, but I did all right financially for the day (my standards are lower than many) and the show was a good motivator to jump start my Northwoods Art Tour inventory.


Sharing some quality time with my new friend Darwin Davis.

The days highlights were seeing some good friends, including Ana Davis and her son Darwin (my newest crush), Kathy Furda of Northern Light Glass & Bonnie Hutchinson. I also got to work beside my closest friend, Wendy Powalisz and her beautiful colorful paintings all day long. Good times!


This painting by Wendy Powalisz sold a few days after the show. My photo doesn't do it justice! It will also be a banner in downtown Eagle River this summer.


This painting of a corn field is also going to be a banner in Eagle River. The Artscape Banner program has a food theme this year.


Wendy wins the award for cutest booth. I didn't get a photo of her. She avoided my lens all day.


The real lowlight was when I knocked over and broke my own platter, turning it into a very expensive piece of garden edging.

I also saw a lot of artist friends in the show and met some new ones. Here’s a glimpse into their booths.


Karen Lenhart is a new friend. I am in a new gallery with Karen that just open up this week in downtown Land O’ Lakes. I will write about the Artistree Gallery next week.


Marilyn Winters was my booth neighbor on the other side. We met that day and I think her paintings are wonderful. You can view her website at marilynwintersart.com


Betty Christian is a good friend. Betty is a jewelry artist who makes really cool pieces out of twisted silver and gold-filled wire. See her work at Bjchristian.com


I met Dan Benecke when I first moved to Wisconsin. He makes beautiful modern & artistic wood furniture. Dan just joined the Northwoods Art Tour this year. His website is naturaledge.bizland.com/


Here's a close up of one of Dan’s walking sticks. I thought this was a cool photo.


Tom Benware is another furniture artist with a completely different style from Dan’s. Tom’s detailed ornate pieces are beautiful from a distance...


...or close up. Tom's website is adirondackwoodwright.com/


This was my favorite piece I saw at the show. It is made from zippers! Again, the photo doesn't do it justice. I feel destined to own one of Donna Petrell's pieces...someday. You can find her at DJ Zipperworks