The generosity chain…
I saw this posted on a blog somewhere and just loved the idea. Here's the deal:

This is a generosity meme in which I will make something for 5 people…
I will draw 5 names out of all those that email me by midnight Jan 1, 2010. So, if you are interested, send me an email to chadwickdesign@gmail.com with your name. I'll draw five names from those submitted by tomorrow night. I will let you know if you're on my list of five!
I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. No refunds… no exchanges ;-) please!!! What I create will be just for you, with love from me. It’ll be done this calendar year (2010) and when you get it, you have to let me know it arrived.
I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be or when you will receive it. It will be something I made and it may be beautiful or it could be funky. I may even create something totally unbelievable and surprise you!! It will be handmade by yours truly and may be a collage, a painting or even a porcelain piece. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
I reserve the right to create whatever I feel like at the time – that’s it, no strings attached.
I am so excited about this idea of making and giving “just because”!

This idea isn't just for artists--it's for everyone. We're all able to create something precious for another human being. You can do the same.

Whether your name is drawn or not, I hope you'll play, participate, make, and give. Post this on your blog, facebook, tweet it, put a sign up in your office, find a way to be involved in it.

Let's hold up five people this year, creating beauty for them. Be swept into the simplicity of making and giving!!!

Believe it can happen!!!

Some of my other artwork...

Since I have finished all my clay orders for the season I decided it was time to do some paintings. Here are two of the latest.

Back to reality...

I went away for a family reunion this weekend. Most family reunions are some sort of idyllic picnic gathering but mine hooks up in Vegas once a year! We had a blast but now it is time to get serious and work!!!

I can not believe it is Sept. 1st. Where did the last 8 months go!?!?! The holidays are just around the corner and I need to get into serious production mode. So many things in the works and so little time.

Happy September 1st... fall is in the air and I am excited about the future!!!

4 long years ago today...

My dad died on this day. He was such a wonderful man. I was very lucky to have his complete support in all my endeavors but especially my art. He always gave me encouragement and made it possible for me to pursue my dream.

Sharing this tribute my brother wrote about him somehow makes me feel that I too am acknowledging how special he was and that he lived a very good life.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

NORMAN GERARD CHADWICK

On August 20th, 2005, the world lost a great and ordinary man. It was a quiet death here in Orlando, unknown to most. On that day, Norman Gerard Chadwick died suddenly of a heart attack at his home. There was ...little fanfare. He was not a famous politician or a great statesman or war hero or professional athlete. But that day the world lost something special.

Norm was a quiet and gentle man who led a wonderful, honest life with a humility that few are blessed with. He married Maureen, the only woman he ever loved, when he was 24 years old and was happily married until the day he died 48 years later. He raised three happy, productive children who have all led successful lives.

He was a humble man who seldom talked of himself. Always more interested in others and fascinated by science and the world. Few who knew Norm were aware of his personal accomplishments in life as someone who had run within four tenths of the world record in the 100 yard dash, was recruited by the St. Louis Cardinals, was a member of Mensa and a Master bridge player. He won the Toronto Squash Club Doubles Championship 9 years in row and started and built a successful computer company before selling it and retiring to Florida to help his son build a business. But he was much more than that.

He had a great depth of character, respected others, was never needy, led by example, worked hard, loved his country and was impeccably honest. He was frugal with himself and generous to others. He knew right from wrong without needing a law or someone to tell him and was a wonderful listener who genuinely appreciated other people's talents and skills. His broad, easy smile lit up a room when he entered and his peaceful spirit welcomed people into his world. When asked to give advice, he had a unique quality that allowed him to do so without ever passing judgment. He loved fishing and golf and a nice stiff drink at the end of the day. He seemed to have a good day, every day. He laughed easily and rarely said a bad word about anyone. He was completely fascinated by science and nature. He would read science magazines endlessly and enjoyed discussing the beginnings of the universe, string theory and why ocean waves proved randomness. He was incredibly curious about everything and spiritual without being religious.

There have not been many like him. There was a sense about him that was unmistakable and hard to put your finger on. He made people feel like they'd known him forever and that he was a close friend immediately. I think his most amazing trait of all and the reason he was so happy and content in life was that he was always inquisitive. He could sit alone and look at a cloud and wonder how it was formed? What conditions would change its structure? And know how lucky he had been there to see its beauty. He loved sunsets, his wife, his children and a great meal (especially when someone else paid!!).

Norman lived a quiet life here in Orlando for the last seven years before his death, and yet at his funeral there was standing room only. Those he impacted from Orlando and friends from all over the country came out of respect and love for a man who had led a great and ordinary life. I don't think anyone would have appreciated tomorrow's sunrise more, nor complained less that he had missed it. He truly left the world a better place. I wish everyone had the fortune to have a father like mine. I miss him everyday.

His son,

Mike Chadwick.

more new pieces...

This is a little wall piece that has a wire hanger attached to it.


This "Flying House" will probably be put in a frame



Small flower bowl.


Larger bowl with oak leaf motif.



Here is the finished commission piece. It is already packed and shipped out to it's new home... I hope they like it!

kiln opening...

Fired yesterday and here are a few of the pieces that came out. Tomorrow I will fire again so hopefully Friday I will have new photos too!

Work, work, work!

This is the commission I have been working on. It is stained and ready to be glazed. It will go into the kiln on Thursday.

And here are the houses all glaze fired and ready to be adopted!

I have been a busy girl...

I have been working hard in the studio on various projects. One is a commission for a friend from high school. It is a large vase with family names, words and significant numbers. He wants to surprise his wife with it for an anniversary gift so I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that all goes well. I found it quite a challenge not only getting all the words on there but also forming the vase without it cracking.

Above is a shot of it drying. Kind of hard to see all the lettering but once it is bisque fired I will stain it to really pop the words. Today it is firing very slowly in the bisque kiln.

I am also trying to get some new work for my galleries finished plus I have started marketing a small item that so far has been a great money maker and am producing a good number of those to fulfill orders.

New vase...

Here is a recent vase I made. It is approx. 8" tall by 7 " wide.

Good tip...

I am starting to clean the studio up for the next round of creating and scraping shelves is something I do not enjoy. I read this tip in a magazine a while back so unfortunately I can't give kudos to the person who wrote it but before my last glaze firing I sprayed some water on my pristine new shelf (that I bought because some of my old ones are so crusty) dusted it with alumina hydrate and then misted with more water. Put it in the kiln loaded pieces glaze fired and it was awesome!!! Nothing stuck at all! In the past I have had the black underglaze that I sign my name with stick to kiln wash. Sometimes I also do little drawings and the bottoms and certain colors would stick but not this time! Then I laid out newspaper and just dusted the shelve off and am going to reuse the alumina. If you have never tried this I highly recommend it.

Supplies...

It has finally stopped raining and is a BEAUTIFUL day here- Yay! I always feel so much better when the sun is out. I am offiicially down to my last few pounds of clay so it's off to Charlotte for supplies! Unfortunately this errand usually ends up taking up a good portion of the day.

I live at the other end of the world from the clay store but I also stop at a million other stores along the way (well, since I 'm in that area of town I feel obligated to do my part for the economy)!

I am trying to work on building up inventory and will post some images as soon as possible.

Have a great weekend!
b.

Show update...

I had a great show on Saturday and it is always good seeing old friends. The temperature and humidity were pretty brutal but we all lucked out that the forecast storms stayed away! I think there was a great turnout and this is one show that I truly enjoy because it is only one day and local.

I would like to say a BIG “Thank you” to everyone that stopped by my booth and for the great feedback! I really enjoy meeting all the different people who purchase my work and hearing where my little creations are going to end up living. Thanks again to everyone who purchased work and hope to see you at the fall Barn Sale!

Carolina Claymatters Barn Sale!

This Saturday
May 9, from 10 am-4 pm

"The Barn" at McAlpine Business Park

8300 Monroe Rd. • Charlotte, NC 28211

For additional information visit www.carolinaclaymatters.org

Stop by and say "hello" if you are in the area. There will be over 50 clay artists showing and selling.

Sigh...

I found this abandoned nest. It was in an old bird house taken down over the winter. I have always loved incorporating birds, eggs, etc. on my work so this beautiful piece of nature will live in my studio as inspiration and as a reminder of unrealized potential.

Preview of new work for Lark & Key show!

In progress...

Here are some of the pieces I am currently working on for the show at Lark & Key. They are in the greenware stage awaiting some color.


It has been pretty miserable working in 30 degree temps.
So in my head I am dreaming of warmer days and all the beauty that comes with spring and decided to use that for my inspiration.

I forgot to post some pictures of the finished "Fun Run" awards...
Top photo is of one of my cats, (Rembrandt) helping me take photos!


Today I am feverishly working on pieces for the Lark & Key show opening at the beginning of April. I am also trying to get some inventory made for the spring Clay Guild show in Charlotte.

I had a great weekend. Saturday I went to the winter farmers market and got some organic eggs, homemade pita and hummus plus some other goodies.


Then I went to my favorite bakery Amelie's which is on the other side of the world from the house (but oh so worth the drive)! It is this funky place with the BEST baguettes in the world. Sunday I spent the morning at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden checking out out the orchid house. Of course I had to come home with 3 new orchids for our house!

Working...

These are some of the Houston Heights "Fun Run" awards in progress. I still have a lot more detail painting to do plus I will be adding some text to the backs. I plan on finishing these today and re-firing them to bisque temperature to set the underglazes. Then a quick dip in clear glaze and fire them up to cone 6.

I am anxious to get these done so I can fully concentrate on the show at Lark & Key which will be opening at the beginning of April.

Brrrrrrrrr!

Working in an unheated garage is NOT pleasant this morning! I have on 2 pairs of socks, long johns, sweat pants, a long sleeve tee shirt with an old wooly sweater over that and I’m still freeeeezing! I look somewhat like the Michelin man and I can barely move.

The space heater is sitting about 6 inches from my legs but it just isn’t helping much. I guess I am not quite as resilient as I used to be.

Oh well, soon it will be summer and you can hear me whine about the heat!

And on a happy note… for my b-day present my hubby & I are going to the Eagles concert tonight in Charlotte- Yay!

Happy hump day!
b.

it's always something...

Well, this past weekend was spent redoing our kitchen pantry. Got rid of the wire shelves and put in proper wood ones. It looks soooo nice!

While at Lowe’s shopping for pantry stuff I also purchased another big wire rack for the studio- Yay! More shelf space. I will be putting that together this week and hopefully filling it up soon with new work.

Today the electrician is here hard wiring my kiln. I had a little incident the last time I fired and the outlet melted :( Yikes! Not a good thing. So anyway, as my post title says “it’s always something”.

Hope you have a great Monday!

Happy 2009!

Time to clean up the studio (again!) and get back to work.

I will be the featured clay artist in April at a sweet gallery in Charlotte named
Lark & Key http://www.larkandkey.com/ So... I am really excited to get creative and make some new pieces.

I have also been commissioned to create awards for the Houston Heights Association "Fun Run". The Heights is a diverse neighborhood with beautiful historic homes and funky new ones mixed together in the heart of downtown. The race is an annual event and they always have an artist create the awards. I have made awards for this a couple of times in the past and am happy that they have asked me again! For those of you who don’t know me I lived in Houston for almost 20 years prior to escaping to North Carolina hence the Texas-NC connection.

During my extended break from clay I have been plotting some new work and hope it will translate from my brain to my hands. I might even do a little throwing! Keep y'all posted (that's a TX thang ;-P )