Come Clay With Me

2011 Reminder

2011-01-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to 2011 and to you!

I just wanted to remind you that I moved my blog over to my website to have everything together in one place. Check it out...carolinedouglas.com.

Thank you!

Ch-ch-ch-changes are happening.

2010-03-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

I am moving my blog over to my website. Check it out here.

Hope to see you over there.

An army of one

2010-02-17T19:59:00.001-08:00

This is the first of the army of persimmon women which came from the last firing which took 5 days to fire instead of the usual 10 hours. The burners were so clogged that the pilot light refused to stay lit more than a few minutes. Finally it was hot enough to hold the heat in and continue to climb in temperature. So after the firing, we took the burners off and sent them to the refurbisher. About 3 in the morning, I thought a good electric firing might just be the new thing. Push a button and walk away. You know I love it all....except when I don't!

First salt firing of the year!

2010-02-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to load the kiln.
Several girls are waiting.
Getting her in the kiln was a bit of a challenge.
The posts are looking pretty salted about now. You can see the beginnings of my army of Persimmon Women! Remember how I was addicted to persimmons? Well, I became so allergic to them that I ended up in the hospital, but that is a story for another day. Now I am obsessing over persimmons in a different way....
This is before the door goes up brick by brick for 2 rows. I was so excited to have a beautiful day in the sun for being outside.

Pecha Kucha night at BMoCA

2010-01-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

Pecha Kucha Night at BMoCA

DESCRIPTION

Jan. 28, 7pm
20 images, 20 seconds for each image, Pecha Kucha night is back in Boulder! This 6 minute and 40 second format makes it clear that it is up to the presenter to make their presentation inspiring and memorable. Join the conversation and see real live people sharing what they get super excited about. Free and cash bar.

Thursday, January 28, 7p

I'll be joining in with the eccentrics of Boulder, talking about our passions .

Class mold making

2010-01-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

Class working on making and pouring molds of our personal symbols.

After cleaning the molds we started our series of head cups that represent 3 childhood memories. All these pieces will be salt fired. All this fun takes place at the Boulder Potters Guild.
A shipment of boats await their turn in the oven.

more under wraps

2010-01-21T13:40:00.001-08:00

I have been getting ready for 3 shows coming up and my studio has lots of work under plastic. Here are a few examples...

ETSY!

2010-01-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

Figured out Etsy! Check out my first few items. Any suggestions?

AVATAR

2010-01-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

Avatar-I See You! (or Saw) What a gorgeous work of art. It's amazing how many people have found it to be extraordinary. I loved how the Navi respected all creatures and things and even plugged their hair into their special animals and plants in order to connect. And what about 6 legged horse like creatures that can sense each other from far away? The story, the music, the beautiful visuals.. what a feast. Highly recommended.

Blanket appreciation

2010-01-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

I am so appreciating the wedding blanket sent to me from Maryam of My Marrakesh. It flashes in the light and jingles when I sit down. I love it! Check out her amazing blog and see all her vintage wedding blankets plus gorgeous rugs from the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa.

Sshh..it's under wraps

2010-01-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

It seems like everyone is getting armor....

January 1, 2010

2010-01-01T20:18:00.000-08:00

What a great way to welcome 2010.. flying kites with George Peters and Melanie Walker at the park.. They provided us with our own kites and I made mine into a persimmon. Thanks to George and Melanie and thanks Pat for the great pics. Pat's 2010-fortune-cookie-blog is super fun!

All we need is LOVE!

2009-12-24T12:07:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my family to yours.

AND what a beautiful human family we have!

Watch people all around the world singing the Beatles.

Click here.

studio time

2009-11-18T21:01:00.000-08:00

I have a week or so to play in the studio before visiting my family in NC. We'll see what these become.

Persimmons

2009-11-11T21:16:00.000-08:00

OK I am so addicted to persimmons. The one on top is the motherlode! I eat like 4 a day. They have to be just right though. I tried the hard kind..Fuyu... very good but I prefer the Hachiya ones with a point. The Fuyu are amazing when they get really soft. My friend Pat went all the way to Denver (south east) to an Asian market to buy cases. Oh my. I made French toast with maple syrup and persimmon flesh. I was drooling, I swear. Ok, enough of this you say?

SPRING... even in fall and winter too!

2009-11-10T09:42:00.000-08:00

My dear friend, Jess Swift, has started yet another project. The girl has limitless energy.

Check out her collaboration here. If her friends are as passionate about creativity and inspiration as Jess, then look out world.

More studio time

2009-11-04T19:44:00.001-08:00

It is time to get ready for the Potter's Guild Show coming up next week at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont. Hurray for the boat people!

Very inspiring artist.. Lily Yeh

2009-10-28T12:38:00.001-07:00

Lily Yeh is scheduled to speak tonight at the Boulder Library but we have tons of snow. Check the library website and watch the video. This part one of 3.

studio time

2009-10-27T21:29:00.001-07:00

Finally getting some studio time, although they say we are in for a big snow storm the next few days!

40th Anniversary Show- Boulder Potters Guild

2009-10-23T20:43:00.001-07:00

We opened the show today for the Boulder Potters Guild, our 40th anniversary. It turned out to be a beautiful show. If you are in the area and love clay, come by the library.

We had a cup sale to benefit Community Food Share. Here they are all lined up.

More 40th

2009-10-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Gilbert on Creativity

2009-10-14T20:55:00.001-07:00

You probably have seen this inspiring video, but it is so worth watching again if you have 20 minutes at some point. I highly recommend this.

Voca People

2009-10-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

Just for fun, try this. I know they have been around but this is new to me!

Open Studios

2009-10-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

This last weekend and next is Open Studios in Boulder and 130 artists open their studios for visitors! My workspace was utter chaos until I got most stuff off the floor and it is amazing what that does for a room. Nonetheless, it still is pretty much utter chaos but I thought it might be interesting to see. Soon I will have an Urban Zen studio and everyone will be jealous. Ha.

Have a great week and if you are in Boulder, come by!

mugs!

2009-10-02T13:55:00.001-07:00

They turned out! I might have to make more functional ware! SO fun!!

Pickles

2009-09-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

http://comics.com/pickles/2009-09-25/">This< is good

glazing day

2009-09-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the studio after hours of glazing. I am liking these mugs! Now for the firing....

Mugs!

2009-09-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

Porcelain mugs for the 40th Anniversary Show for the Boulder Potters Guild, coming soon to the Boulder Public Library.

SO what do you think of college?

2009-09-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

Canyonlands with Willy

2009-09-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

Willy has gone to college and what a poignant day. Lots of feelings. I am going to see the Julia movie.

feels like the end of summer

2009-09-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

A day at the reservoir. It was so fun! A huge thank you to Kristin, David and Jackson!

Woo Hoo!

Art and Meaning

2009-08-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Katherine Treffinger, who has posted today a clip on her blog about me and what the meaning of art is for me. I have recently been thinking about this and feeling so grateful that art is my way into joy. Whenever I have not been creating for a while, I seem to lose touch with a part of myself. So I just might decide to begin again creating a piece a day. That was so fun and powerful! Anyone else up for it?

Douglas hobbitses looking for second breakfast.

2009-08-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

I didn't mean to make this a travel journal but this was too good to pass up. The glorious redwoods at Muir Woods in northern California. A magic moment.

More Las Vegas

2009-08-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the corner.

The traveling show...

2009-08-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

I thought about putting the booth up on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Tropicana. Wonder if I would have sold any work?? There sure was a lot of money changing hands in that place. My dear inspired artist friend, Pat Chapman, let me borrow her van to drive across country. I fell in love with a Toyota!

Greens!

2009-08-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

"Greens" on the pier at Fort Mason - a mouth watering event! Imagine grilled peaches with mascarpone and warm honey over watercress! Thanks to my dear friend John Pearson for the great photo!

American Craft Council Show at Fort Mason

2009-08-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

If you are in or around San Francisco, don't miss the ACC Show at Fort Mason on the pier. My friends and I are here this weekend - Friday, 10-8, Saturday,-10-6, Sunday, 10-5.

More Cherry Creek

2009-08-06T21:12:00.001-07:00

Once it dried out, I did have some visitors. They were so fun!

The great flood of Cherry Creek 2009.

2009-08-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

SO this was an education! I don't know why I didn't think that much about the weather..3 long days....first the heat, then 12 inches of water as a river in the booth. WHoa, I was inside the tent trying to push off the pools of water on each corner of the booth tent for 45 minutes of intense storming! because someone said to me as it started raining... oh that kind of tent tends to collapse. Crying turned into hysterical laughing half way through...maybe I wouldn't do so well living outside. That was the first day.

I would do it again.

Show Time!

2009-06-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

More kiln loading. I am getting ready for the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver this holiday weekend. Friday 10-8, Sat. 10-8, Sunday, 10-6. They have a website if you are interested and there will be lots of fun art to enjoy! Come by if you are in the area.

vote now!

2009-05-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

If you like my work and think it would be inspiring for kids in schools, vote here now.

I really appreciate it!

In the land of the little people

2009-05-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

They are everywhere... devil women, bull girls, deer men, and red tongues.

more pieces from salt firing

2009-05-15T10:37:00.001-07:00

Forgot the camera for unloading. oops.

2009-05-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pieces from the kiln which turned out very well. I tried not to reduce as much this time and the colors came out much brighter. Yay! On to the next cycle.

Firing the Kiln at night!

2009-05-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

Now it is about midnight.... getting the salt ready to throw in.

Work Place Awards in Denver

2009-04-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

I was so honored to have my work featured at the Eating Recovery Center. Check out the short video here.

Loading the kiln.

2009-04-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

Bricking the door of the salt kiln. Firing for 12 hours and then letting it cool for a day, then the unloading..... hopefully like Christmas!

into the kiln

2009-04-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

These are the ditch riders.

2009-04-22T13:20:00.001-07:00

One more!

2009-04-22T08:46:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple more. I am loving the texture thing.

2009-04-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am excited playing with textures! I decided to share what is going on in the studio. This lady just got her porcelain face painted on. These are all for the salt kiln and I am hoping for great contrast with the textures and some toasted marshmallow effects too.

Trip to Tacoma

2009-04-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

WIlly and I just returned from Tacoma-City of Glass- to check out UPS for college. It was really beautiful when the sun was out....those 5 minutes. It was a great trip and it was a no.

Get back to nature...

2009-04-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

Just for fun!

Thank you Maryam of My Marrakesh!

2009-04-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Maryam, who is one of the most brilliant and clever of all bloggers, brings her amazing adventures in Marrakesh to living color in her award winning blog called My Marrakesh.

What an honor to have my art in her office space. Click here to see! And thanks to Holly at Decor8 for the great interview!

Spring Art Sale!

2009-03-30T19:18:00.001-07:00

Please Join me for a Spring Sale! It will take place from 1:00 to 4:00pm, on Saturday April 4th at the beautiful home of Nicky Wolman and Dave Fulker, 1400 Mariposa Ave. (from 15th and Baseline, go South two blocks, then turn right on Mariposa). See you there!

The life of a clay artist.

2009-03-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Here we are salting a kiln at cone 10.

2009-03-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

Spring is upon us.

Work by Dawn Siebel... get yours NOW!

2009-03-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Dawn Siebel

is in between galleries and now is a great time to get a piece from her. Her work is fresh, beautiful and delightful.

Enjoy!

Beautiful Show at Boulder Public Library!

2009-02-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

These works by Claire McCardle (sculpture) and Frank Sampson (paintings) are exquisite. If you are near Boulder, Colorado, please take yourself on an artist's date to the library and prepare to be transported.

Highly recommended.

It was a hoax.

2009-02-15T19:39:00.000-08:00

OK, so cell phones really did not pop corn.. it was a viral ad campaign. I am feeling sort of gullible. Here is the video that explains it.

Ever wonder what cell phones can do?

2009-02-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

Holy Toledo! Check this out!

An apartment worthy of display!

2009-02-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

Click.

Today's art inspiration.

2009-01-31T09:33:00.000-08:00

This is worth sharing, thank you Maira Kalman! Check here.

now showing at Pewabic Pottery, Detroit

2009-01-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

BUNNIES FOR OBAMA... guess I am slightly obsessed.

This is "a small, evocative, dreamy jewel of a film" from Toast.co.uk.

Go there for enchanted beauty and exoticness.

Thanks to Lynnehoppe.blogsppot.com for the referral.

Also go to Lisahoffman.typepad.com to share in superlatives for our Jess Gonach a for her recent NYTimes award from Spoonflower.

2009-01-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

This is the inauguration Eve and in honor of our new president I am sharing my son Willy's time lapse painting of Obama. Let's celebrate!

new work from kiln

2009-01-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

This is Dreamy Girl, dreaming of adventures on the high seas and a certain pirate named Jack...

This piece is called After the Race. I am still fascinated with turtles and temples.

ceramic works by Richard Notkin

2009-01-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Richard Notkin, a contemporary clay sculptor, writes, "We need as many objects of sheer beauty or thought provoking aesthetics as artists can produce. All art, in all media and forms, is what I advocate. More art, less bombs."

Inner Christmas

2008-12-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

I wish you all a happy holiday. This time of year is so full of possibilities.. let's dream big and plant seeds now to come to harvest the coming year. Enjoy these long cold nights and short days when the sun hovers low in the sky. According to anthroposophy, the days and nights between Christmas and January 6, the epiphany, contain a world of possibilities... As we create intentions each day , it corresponds to the months of the coming year. Christmas day corresponds to January, Dec. 26 is Feb and etc. Watch who we meet during these days, they may figure prominently in the upcoming months. It is such a quiet time here in Coloado, it is easy to go inward and contemplate our inner stirrings and desires for ourselves and the world. May all beings be happy!

Colorado in December

2008-12-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos from my morning walk.

I feel so grateful to be here now.

Boulder haiku

2008-12-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

soft snow drifts outside

cinnamon wafts through the air

hot chocolate bliss

In the Belly of the Beast

2008-12-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

Been doing some pencil drawing...

Don't Worry, Be Happy

2008-12-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

True Love

2008-11-23T14:19:00.000-08:00

playing around with a camera

2008-11-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

The show comes down tomorrow and I couldn't resist with the camera.

Grrr..

2008-11-23T14:14:00.000-08:00

Here we are embracing our fierceness....

Hello Friday!

2008-11-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

Hello Friday. Here is a piece for you called Otter Bliss...

Bambi and friends

2008-11-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

This is what I came upon this morning as I walked through the community gardens. The deer hardly noticed that I was only 4 feet away.

Election Night Revelry

2008-11-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

Yay! We did it! Last night was so sweet here in Colorado. We felt so joyful and hopeful. After Obama's speech, Catherine and I went down to the mall to celebrate with our people. Click here to see our fun party!

The Soul of America on election day

2008-11-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

Deborah Koff Chapin, who created the Soul Cards, has done a beautiful series around the Soul of America in honor of these changing times. Her work is heart felt and enchanting.

In her words.."On this historic election day, no matter what the outcome, may we remember our common bonds as citizens of this country. May we uphold the deeper ideals that gave birth to our constitution and offer ourselves in service to the future." Click here .

2008-10-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Remember the donkey with the broken legs?

He turned into Pegleg Pulley!

I am so glad I saved him.

Willy's speed painting of Obama!

2008-10-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

So what's a blog for, if not for bragging about the children? Willy chose to create 50 faces in different media for his senior project. He used clay, stone, scratch board, glass, etch-a-sketch, popsicle sticks, leaves, aluminum foil, photoshop and lots more. Here is the photoshop drawing. Do you believe?? Honk if you love Willy! I mean honk if you love Obama!

Wondrous Fair: Maggie Taylor and Caroline Douglas

2008-10-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here is one of 3 elephants in a show

I am just arranging at the Boulder Public Library. The opening is this Friday night-5-7. If you are here, please do stop by and say hello. There are many animals in need of some new homes!

My favorite artist!!!

2008-10-17T08:24:00.001-07:00

Show at the Whitney of Alexander Calder's work!

Read all about it in New York Times art page today!

Claire McCardle

2008-10-08T20:58:00.001-07:00

This show ends Oct.18.

enchanting show

2008-10-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

My friend, Claire McCardle, from Longmont is having a show at th e

Old Firehouse in Longmont from now to Oct.18. Her work is so beautiful and enchanting. Her work is a representation of her inner life and dreams. The bigger pieces are carved marble..no easy feat.

There are some terra cotta figures as well as bronzes. If you can get there, I guarantee that

your spirit will be nourished.

Rwanda today

2008-10-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

I have just read an account by Maryam at http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/ about the Rwandan genocide.

Please go to her blog and see for yourself. It is time to reach

out to our fellow human beings who have experienced

such atrocities and horrors and let them know they are

not forgotten.

She is there now finding ways to help.

Here is an opportunity to share our wealth and be generous.

Thank you Maryam for leading us to these dark places

and bringing the light of awareness.

negative into positive

2008-09-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

I was so sad when I saw this clay zebra had lost her back legs. I can only guess what happened the night before I got her in the kiln. So I remembered the first quality of highly successful people which was they see an opportunity instead of a problem. I chose to see the possibilities.. a donkey with wheels in the back with Obama riding it, or a zebra with a wooden leg, etc. I got very excited and happy. AND she fit in the kiln too!

firing kilns

2008-09-14T19:10:00.000-07:00

I am so honored that Jeane from Art It gave me a blog award. Thank you Jeane!! I am stunned. I feel like I have not gotten into the swing of blogging. This week was full of glazing, firing kilns and fixing a kiln. There was very little time for anything else. So how do you fellow artists work this into your schedule? Although I did take a hike in the hills above Boulder after being so inspired to be outside by Lynne. Here are a few photos of the week. Soon I will send the blog award on to some favorites.

Where the Hell is Matt? 2008

2008-09-06T16:04:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Check out this great video! You have probably seen a version of it but I love this one! It is so moving and inspiring the way he has chosen to honor our planet. Yay Matt!

Happy Saturday...

The land of Hobbits and Giants.

2008-09-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

Depending on your perspective....

all hands on deck for glazing

2008-08-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

My lovely summer assistant, Zoey Frank, who is an amazing artist, studying in Seattle. Her blog is Zoeyfrank.blogspot.com.

kiln loaded

2008-08-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

Glazed pieces in the kiln awaiting fire and salt!

The march of the Elephants

2008-08-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

Pieces are glazed and ready to be fired.

Family vacation in Colorado

2008-08-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

We had a great time in the mountains of Colorado. I loved playing with forced perspective.

Here are a few pics. I am still working out blog bleeps so bear with me.

Proud Mama

2008-08-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

If Mom can't brag, who can?

Guess who was in the paper this morning?

Little Willy, who is not so little (6 feet) was recognized for outstanding work in an art class- Anatomy in Clay! I am so excited.. he might be teaching others besides Mom. YAY!!!

Jockamo

2008-08-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday.

Clay Piece of the Day

2008-08-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

Evening at Home

Big Chair, Small Meditation.

2008-08-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Here is "Big Chair, Small Meditation," the ceramic piece of the day.

After re-reading the 50 habits of successful people, I thought I would share a few more from the list. These are so cool. I think I might do an art piece about each one of these every day for 50 days. Would anyone like to join?

11.They align themselves with like-minded people.

12. They are ambitious.

13. They have clarity and certainty about what they want.

14. They innovate instead of imitate.

15. They don't procrastinate.

16. They are life-long learners.

17. They are glass half full people, while still being practical and down-to-earth.

18. They consistently do what they need to do, regardless of how they are feeling on a given day.

19. They take calculated risks.

20.They deal with problems quickly and effectively.

Ideas for inspiration.

2008-08-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about how I want to use this blog and one idea is to post things that really inspire me and hopefully will inspire others as well. A big question for me these days is art and business (marketing, sales, the law of attraction, being a money magnet, etc.). I want to create a dialogue about these topics. Does anyone want to play here?

And now, for my first exciting post, a list of 10 qualities of successful people, which I received from the Business Breakthrough Newsletter. For the full list of 50 qualities of successful people, click here.

They look for and find opportunities where others see nothing.
They find lessons while others only see problems.
They are solution focused.
They consciously and methodically create their own success.
They may be fearful, but they are not controlled or limited by fear.
They ask the right questions -- the ones which put them in a positive mindset and emotional state.
They rarely complain.
They don't blame, and take complete responsibility for their actions and outcomes.
They always find a way to maximize their potential, and use what they have effectively.
They are busy, productive and proactive.

Back from the Show!

2008-08-11T10:58:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone. I am back from Loveland and I had a great weekend staying with my dear friend Lisa Hoffman who fed me French toast and coconut ice cream. It was so great to see her place- filled with so much beauty. She is a total inspiration! She encouraged me to start a blog a long time ago, so thank you Lisa! Check out her blog, it is filled with wonderful art and news from Artland... lisahoffman.typepad.com.

Here are a few photos from the show. It was great to connect with so many fabulous artists from all over.