–O. H. I. O….here we come
What do you do when the kids (tile) get invited to a huge party in Ohio? Well, you pack them up with a snack and a good book to read, then off they go to Cincinnati via USPS.
Yes, we are quite delighted to be sending our work to Indigenous Handcrafted Galleryin O’Bryonville–a beautiful gallery in an artsy & historic shopping district in Cincinnati,Ohio. Their ArtTILE event will feature 35 ceramic tile artists from across the country beginning April 27th.
Can you believe it?…about 1000 tile will be shown at his exhibit!
You can call us sentimental…we know we are…as we wished our boxes ‘safe travel’ when they were loaded into the postal cart. Funny thing is…while we waited in line at the post office, the guy behind us mentioned that writing “fragile” on the boxes was secret code for “throw me”…so there’s that…
–Spring Fair on April 27
Greetings friends of Ramona Paloma!
We are pleased to invite you to attend a festive Spring Fair on April 27th, to be held at Norma Coombs School located at 2600 Paloma Street in Pasadena. The school is right across the street from Victory Park so there will be loads of parking. Plus the farmers market will be happening at PHS.
So, pick up your fresh produce for the week, and come by the fair for a grilled cheese, some cookies, good music and unique handcrafted goodies from local artists.
Happy Spring! See you there.
Yelp – http://www.yelp.com/events/pasadena-spring-fair-norma-coombs-alternative-school
p.s…next show is on May 25 at Wildwood Park, Altadena…Art On Palm.
–studio visit
…now for something completely different…
I think we’ve mentioned how much we like field trips!
And we haven’t been on one in a while, so we decided on a reverse field trip.
Last week, we had the art department from Trader Joe’s over to our studio for a visit. We demonstrated our process and gave a quick glazing lesson. Everyone completed their own tile piece and much fun was had by all on a beautiful Spring day.
In about 2 weeks, we’ll fire the tiles then pop over to TJ’s to deliver some special art work to our new friends–Sonny, Jeannie, Sherry, Bobbi and Alexa.
We had so much fun that we even pulled out our viking helmets! (…okay, just for the record–that is definitely different than putting a lamp shade on our head)
–Wisteria Fest 2013
Third time’s a charm!
After two years of torrential downpour during the Wisteria Festival in Sierra Madre, this (our third try) seems destined for sun.
This Sunday, March 17th, we have been invited to show our current tile work with the Sierra Madre Friends of the Arts, a special venue established along side the Wisteria Fest to feature local artists.
Should you find yourself walking around Sierra Madre on the sunny Sunday afternoon of March 17, please stop by our corner at Windsor Lane and Sierra Madre Boulevard (by the local Jail/Bed and Breakfast) to see what’s cooking with local artwork.
Enjoy this preview week of sun, (good for the vine too!) and we’ll look forward to seeing your sunny dispositions popping by our tent to say hello. (okay, you caught me trying to influence the weather by using the word “sun” often in this post. Was that wrong?)
See you Sunday!
–stretching the ceramic wings
Several months ago, a very nice gentleman from New Mexico asked Tracy if she could make a special piece for him.
Through their conversation, the story of a charming furry friend named Griffin, emerged. Tracy came to learn that this gentleman had gotten Griffin as an 8-week old pup form Cornish, Maine. They had been pals for 17 and a half years. When Griffin passed, the man knew he wanted to honor the memory of his faithful companion, but hadn’t really decided how yet.
When talking to Tracy about tile, an idea was sparked…and he asked her if she would make an urn. He provided many photos of his smiling yellow-dog with the dark eyes.
It was decided.
Tracy was honored to create a final resting place for Griffin–a rustic ceramic jar, handmade with great sincerity.
–a warm-up on a chilly day in the studio
Why am I showing you food on our tile blog?
…and what do these items below have in common?
If you’re a devoted Trader Joe’s fan, like we are, then yes…they all came from TJ’s.
Tracy and I were hard at work in the studio yesterday, when that ‘need to feed’ came over us. Since we weren’t quite ready to break for lunch, we did what all hungry people do…we talked about food. With hands covered in clay, we mentally created our lunch…
…let’s start with the lovely Creamy Tomato soup from a carton and add from there. Bake the fish, then place bite-sized flakes of it in the soup bowl. Heat the soup with a bit of plain yogurt and curry sauce, then ensconce the Vera Cruz Whitefish in the creamy red liquid . Once all is steaming hot in the bowl, let’s toss some freshly chopped cilantro, bok choy and green onions on top. With the heated bowl warming our hands, we take that first spoonful…
It sounded so delicious and warm on this chilly day in the studio that I was inspired to make it today, then write about it. And, I feel like I cheated a bit since I got so much help from Trader Joe’s.
Okay, it wasn’t cheating…we were in the middle of a workday! And it was so darned satisfying and good!
Stay warm, my friend.
–movement…a theme for February
Movement.
…as this new year is still fresh and full of promise, we remind ourselves of the rewards in…
the movement of the body,
…the movement of ideas through conversation,
…and the movement of the penciled-hand across the page…
Are you moving a part of yourself ?…or plan to?
Leave a comment–we’d love to hear.
Happy February!
–Mary’s Market
If I were looking through the Ramona Paloma tool box for a very useful tool, I would pull out “the morning walk” device. It’s hard to find something more effective to adjust the “thinking knob” than a walk in the canyon toward our favorite hide-out, Mary’s Market on Woodland Drive.
As Tracy and I finish up our 2012 bookkeeping and make plans for 2013, we remember that perspective is always better after an early stroll with the dogs. The mornings have been lovely and cool these recent weeks and I can feel the fresh air circulating through our creative process.
And, we are showing a small collection of our work at Mary’s–through the first week of February. May I suggest a walk up there? You’ll be greeted by a warm atmosphere, some cheerful tile and a hot cup of coffee.
561 Woodland Drive Sierra Madre, CA 91024. 626/355-4534. Closed on Mondays.
–Merry and Happy!
Each Christmas, Tracy and I have found little special somethings to gift each other with…little somethings that brought a chuckle or an “Aaaah–you remembered!”
This year, we decided to give each other the gift of time…
As we work across the studio table from each other, conversation abounds. Often, we have miraculous ideas for “Funtivities” and Field Trips that we don’t always know how to insert into the schedule.
But we took the helm. We chose to have a choice in the matter.
One day last week, we turned off the phones, closed the studio door and headed for our kitchens instead.
We reconvened for a soup exchange and holiday movie. We gave each other the gift of time spent enjoying.
Tracy cooked up an amazing chicken soup with roasted corn, brown rice, veggies and a nice bit of green chile heat. Soozee rustled up a butternut and pear bisque loaded with curry and a squeeze of lime. We dusted off the “White Christmas” DVD (apparently, we’re just a couple of sentimental gals), and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, singing along with the “Sisters” bit in the film.
We were so pleased with ourselves! We diverted the season away from it’s busy pacing to serve ourselves up a large portion peace and joy…and delicious soup!
Warm wishes of Happy and Merry to our friends of Ramona Paloma Tile. We are truly lucky to know you!
See you in 2013.
–Wheelhouse Holiday show
As we go speeding into December, Ramona Paloma has one last show for the year.
This is a favorite.
Please stop by The Wheelhouse Pottery Studio, Holiday Sale on December 7 & 8, located at 1831 Santa Fe Place in Monrovia (just beyond the corner of Duarte and Myrtle).
Tracy and I will be there on Friday evening from 6pm – 9pm, along with many ceramic artists. Then on Saturday, Dec 8 the sale will continue at 10am until 4pm. Our Saturday attendance may be spotty, but we know the Wheelhouse will take good care of you when you come by.
There will be lots of great ceramics in a wide variety of prices and styles–so much fun under one tin roof!
Ramona Paloma on Instagram
Ramona Paloma On Facebook
