–here a frame, there a frame
Striking a fine balance within all the many tasks involved with making art is something we are often in pursuit of. (wow, I really have to catch my breath after that sentence…).
Recently, we allotted the time for a bit of woodwork again.
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We-kicked-Tracy-out of the ceramics studio and set her aloft in the wood shop. She got very busy with her power tools to make a few frames for us.
Then-I-provided back-up by staining wood and handling the screwdriver. I’d like to be a big shot and say I used the nice power tools too…but alas, I used my forearm power tool only.
However, I am happy to report that I really “powered” that little screw into the back of those wood frames. I may have even produced a drop of sweat on my brow. You would have been proud.
Actually I am extremely proud of Tracy and her Kung-Fu skills in the woodshop.
You rock tile-twin
–Francois makes a statement
Tracy and her rabbits…
When she went through her “bunny phase” (it happens to all of us…eventually), she made these wonderfully silly and delightful rabbits, set in a variety of scenes where their rabbit-ness was très coy and subtle. These early designs are some of my favorite.
The first hare of this kind was hiding in tall grass, wearing a grass hat…this modest little fellow went on to become a sailor and a mermaid (mermale?) as well as Francois, who charmingly had a head full of bubbles. Francois hoped to make his permanent home in a bubble bath.
When looking at Francois, one couldn’t help speaking in a silly-fake-french-accent. (Tracy and I need very little prodding to be silly while making tile).
Well, a short while ago, we bid adieu to Francois as he flew the coop. He has taken up new residence as an installation in a shower/tub wall. He now feels like King of the castle–overseeing and inspiring bubble-filled frolic in the tub from here on.
Au revoir Francois.
Don’t forget to write.
–recent tile from Soozee
Soozee here, once again.
Tracy and I (using our keen tile-twin-powers…) like to divvy up the workload or shall I say?…activity-load. I am the keeper of the pen (the blog) and she is the keeper of the power tools (wood frames). In doing so, we work within our strengths, yet quietly develop our weaknesses through the other’s hand.
In other words, I love to get my hands on the power tools…I press the trigger full blast and wield them above my head like the chainsaw-massacre guy while Tracy gently says…now Soozee, that’s not how we handle our tools…is it? Mmm? And as far as the writing goes…I can’t say that that’s a weakness for Tracy. She’s a good writer, however she likes to write things that make her giggle and the more of a tangent she goes off on, the funnier it becomes to her…pretty soon, she is left weak and defenseless from her guffaw fest and cannot go on. So, for simplicity’s sake…I do our writing.
(Speaking of tangents…I’m supposed to be showing you my new glaze work…).
Thanks for being patient. Here are a few new pieces from me (Soozee)–
–newest work from Tracy
Soozee here…to introduce some new ideas from Tracy.
I love her recent imagery–so full of allegory and wit.
I also appreciate how our styles are a little different but complimentary to one another. Using the same process and sharing a color palette allows our work to stand together well, I think.
…here’s Tracy–
–late summer work
We recently filled the kiln with a fresh load of bisque ware (from wet clay to a hard, fired piece that has a high “tink” when you flick it). We quickly followed that up with a glaze-load brimming with new designs, along with some previous favorites. We like to send the newbies into the kiln with the stand-by, more “experienced” designs…the old guys escort the young-uns through the “sauna” as we like to call it.
We’ve introduced some new fable-like pieces that tell a wee story (left to the imagination…) along with a few tile full of whimsy and warmth. In the kiln shelf photos below, you’ll see some of our old friends too–little birds and dogs.
(p.s. forgive the flash on the photos–we were working late that day…)
–a brief homage
Please allow me to pay my respects to a coupla fur balls that have been meaningful parts of both Tracy’s and my life. This July, we both lost a fuzzy member of the family.
Tracy and I took some time off to walk and talk instead of work–providing each other with some cushion as we traveled down this bumpy part of the boulevard.
We’re back in the studio now…with clearer heads and a love for what we’re doing with tile. We just fired up a load of glazed tilework. Stay Tuned.
–tile twin powers
Tracy and I have often remarked on how many similarities we share. It is part of our schtick to claim our twinhood even though it is not really possible… medically speaking. We figure we can have our little illusions, as long as we function properly in society and don’t hurt anyone in the process.
About a month ago, we both had a commission piece due…on the same mid-June day–funny thing was, we each got our respective job at a different time, and through different contacts (I tell you, it’s that twin thing…). Each project had a substantial degree of difficulty, so we began brain-storming on how best to approach the work ahead–running glaze trials and researching methods, with many conversations about color and technique.
How helpful that we could bounce questions off each other throughout our individual processes.
(I often run through the streets, exclaiming how nice it is to have a tile-twin to share ideas with, keep work-appointments with, and share costs with…).
With a bit of good fortune in the kiln and the support of the “twin powers”, we were able to achieve the outcome we had aimed for, and relinquished our pieces on the due date with a sense of satisfaction.
I’m delighted to report that we both gained a lot from these 2 projects–we learned from each other and happily discovered pearls of wisdom within ourselves. You know?…it’ feels good to stretch the creative muscles a bit. Trying new stuff so often leads to discovery and growth.
Tracy created a framed “plaque-in-gratitude” for an outgoing orthopedic doctor, and I fabricated the likeness of a private home, as a gift.
–artist of the month
The lovely and delicious eating establishment of Mary’s Market in the Sierra Madre lower canyon has invited Tracy and I to be their “Artist of the Month” through the end of May.
Mary’s Market, located at 561 Woodland Drive in Sierra Madre is a hidden secret that needs to be shared. Carolyn, the owner, is a wonderful cook, has a clean & casual aesthetic and is like the cool mom in the neighborhood who’s house everyone wants to hang out at.
Mary’s has a simple and delightful menu. Tracy and I like to grab breakfast there when we’re walking in the canyon. Choices range from the wonderfully light and delicious “Size O” sporting a coupla perfectly poached eggs served with tomato, spinach, capers and yummy grainy toast (our fave) to waffles, and breakfast burritos or one of Carolyn’s freshly baked rolls. I’m hungry just thinking about it and all for about $4 to $6. Parking can be limited but that’s fortunate in this case. When you park below the narrow Woodland Ave, you get the opportunity to walk up through the fresh air and dappled light of the lower canyon, filled with bird calls, water trickling down the wash and unique canyon architecture. Every time I’m up there, I feel like I’m on vacation.
Okay, as long as I’m hungry and talking about the food at Mary’s…did I mention her gorgeous sandwiches and bbq’d burgers? They have live music on the weekends, and on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, they host a special BBQ evening with a featured something on the grill and yes…live music. See them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/marysmarket.sm
And…Oh yea, Tracy and I will be showing tile for the month of May on the Art wall. Pop up to the canyon, take a stroll, eat yummy food in a cozy atmosphere and check out Ramona Paloma Tile creations. Look for our tile right above the ice-cream freezer…great location…right?!
Mary’s is closed on Mondays. Give them a call if you want at 355-4534.
–You’re invited to the Wheelhouse
We have the good fortune of being part of a wonderful Pottery Studio in Monrovia, Ca, known as The Wheelhouse.
Twice a year, they have a studio sale featuring a wide variety of styles and prices. Some of the students are professional potters, while others are exploring the boundless accessibility of clay.
Long before Tracy and I joined this studio, we were fans of these shows. We always found a treasure or 2–perhaps as a gift or to take home for ourselves.
Please come by on Saturday, April 30 between 10:00am and 4:00pm to The Wheelhouse, located at 1831 Santa Fe Place, in Monrovia, to see the latest.
The studio is hidden
behind the corner at Myrtle and Duarte. Off Myrtle, it is behind AAmco, and a local dive called Troy’s Donuts & Burgers. I like to think of the studio as a hidden treasure…worth hunting for.
Please note, the studio sale will be taking checks and cash only–no credit cards this go.
As a friend and ally of Ramona Paloma Tile, you are invited to attend the Friends and Family preview event on Friday evening, April 29th from 6pm to 9pm. Tracy and I, along with many of the other artists will be on hand at this time on Friday.
Tracy will be around most of Saturday morning as well. Soozee will be running off to catch a soccer game before noon some time. The show continues until 4pm.
Thanks very much for being interested in our work and we’ll look forward to seeing you soon.
–cool display, Batman
Okay, I admit it. I grew up watching Batman and Robin (the 60’s version with the big POW and WHAM words that were splashed over the tv screen). So please forgive the reference.
I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this, but I (Soozee) do most of the writing here. So, I want to take a moment to mention two things:
first, I want to say hello and thanks to some of the nice people we met at the Garden Tour which includes Susie, Christina, Carol, Roberta, Kathy, Jill, Jan, Eva, Sharon, Dale (and company), Barbara, Clare, Deidra, Maurial, Betty, Meagan, Ligia, and Anita. And thanks to our friends Wendy and Todd for their constant support and excellent feedback. We also enjoyed meeting a few people that we never got the names of…Happy Easter to all!
secondly, I want to gush and make a fuss about Tracy’s mad, Kung-Fu woodworking skills.
We sit down together for our every-other-weekly-meetings… and brainstorm. One of the aspects of showing tile that challenges our little brains is…display. I think all artists struggle with the best way to show their work. The totally cool part for me is that Tracy and I think it up, then she goes into her workshop and…zip-zing…conjures up frames and display pieces! It’s miraculous!
Last weekend, we were invited to show at the “Art of the Garden” tour. We were given very specific measurements that our whole display (and our selves) had to fit within. We saw right away that our previous set-up would not allow us to show very many tile in this tight configuration…hence the lengthy design and re-design on paper, that birthed the pieces below. (We were ready to bring only one chair which we would have to take turns sitting in…since there was no room for 2 seats–the other idea was to place the chairs in a front and back position–like sitting on a bus–really, I’m not kidding. Art comes first!)
I digress…back to Tracy. She had some cedar fence posts that had been hanging out by the garage for a few years. They were perfectly “seasoned” for our needs. She whipped up these little numbers in no time and they were perfect and very stable. Tracy–you rock!
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