Barbara Chadwick

New path

2011-07-25T11:50:00.001-04:00

I have been trying to catch up on all my orders because my life is about to change DRASTICALLY!!! I am very excited to announce that I have accepted a full-time art instructor position. I will be teaching 3-D design, Ceramics, Sculpture and Art Appreciation. I am spending a great deal of time preparing syllabi and projects. If anyone has any great projects ideas I am listening!

I am also working on pieces for a solo show this October at the North Carolina Crafts Gallery in Carrboro.

Hope everyone is having a creative summer- peace & love!
b.

The teapot finished

2011-03-10T13:19:00.002-05:00

In my haste to ship this piece to its new home, I did not get to shoot any images so this was sent to me by the person who commisioned it. I was very relieved that I had no cracks or issues with the appliques during the glaze firing.

Here is another recently finished house form. I am pretty happy with this one. It is approximately 9"x 8"

teapot

2011-02-26T22:54:00.000-05:00

This is the teapot commission in progress. It has been stained with underglazes and sponged off. I will clear glaze it in the morning and load the kiln tomorrow night. I made a new lid. I think this one is better.

A few new pieces

2011-02-19T22:12:00.001-05:00

"Trust in your Heart"
wall house

"Happiness awaits"
wall house

"Jump you might Fly"
side A

"Jump you might Fly"
side B

"Bloom"
side A

"Bloom"
side B

"We have a tale to tell"

"This way Home"

What have I been doing...

2011-02-11T22:02:00.001-05:00

This is a commission I have been working on. It is for some long time friends that wanted a special wedding gift. I obsessively worked the surface with my pin tool making circles of texture. I will dry it very slowly to try to prevent cracking at the seams and keep my fingers crossed that it works!

It's show time!

2011-01-18T21:01:00.004-05:00

Along with my bowl orders I am preparing for an upcoming show. Thank goodness I am finally feeling more inspired!

For this show I am working on some wall pieces and larger house forms. My ideas for this work have to do with renewal, growth, beginnings, etc.. Obviously all relating to my new life and finding "me" again.

wall house

I am also teaching at Clayworks and have another great group of students. This session we are making hand-built items for the table- salt & pepper shakers, covered butter dishes, cream & sugar sets, center pieces and a casserole. I decided it was time for some fresh stamps below are a few of the new designs.

new stamps

What's up...

2011-01-10T12:49:00.000-05:00

I have been struggling to get back into the "making mode" since the holidays. Just not really in the mood. I don't know why, just feeling very LAZY!!! Maybe it was that big push to get everything done before Christmas, whatever the reason I need to get over it and get productive.

I did spend some time cleaning the studio and organizing which it was in dire need so I am happy to have a clean place to work. Pictured are last weeks accomplishments. I made a good number of wobbly bowls and I have been commissioned to make some trays for awards and of course the never ending construction of the houses.

stuff...

2010-12-15T22:19:00.000-05:00

A few recent pieces.

Take the handmade pledge...

2010-12-14T08:18:00.000-05:00

2010-12-06T12:15:00.027-05:00

Here are some extras of the finished cupcake plates I had made for a commision. I enjoyed making them so think I will do some more.

This was another custom order for sets of napkin rings w/ initials. I had never made any before and thought they came out alright. I rolled slabs around cardboard tubes, cut them to the desired width and then made the little initial medallions separately. I used underglazes to highlight the textured parts. They are glazed with clear.

Busy, busy

2010-12-04T09:58:00.012-05:00

I realized about two weeks ago that I needed 500 of my teeny tiny wobbly bowls to fulfull my current orders (this is my "bread & butter" product that I have been making since the economy took a nose dive)- so I worked basically day and night to get them made in time to ship on the 1st of December. This is the kiln loaded for the bisque fire- they are in stacks of 5+ and a few shelves deep.

Clayworks is having its annual Holiday Sale. We had a nice opening last night and I got to hang out with some clay buddies that I don't get to see all the time. Hopefully today the shoppers will be out in force so I won't have too many pieces to pack up!

I mentioned in my last post- moving into a much smaller home has been quite the adjustment. I am using my second bedroom as a studio, office, packing & shipping area and a craft/painting studio (eventually it will also have to serve as a photography studio for documenting my pieces. Wow, that's a lot of use for one small space!! So I am constantly shuffling things around and then losing track of items-it doesn't help that I am a consumate "pile maker". It was only this morning that I finally found my usb cable for my camera. I have been looking for it since I moved but now that I have it I will try to be better at posting and adding images.

Is anybody still reading this!?!

2010-09-25T12:55:00.005-04:00

Sorry I have been absent for sooo long- I was making some very hard decisions about my life and was just not ready to share...

I have moved to a new place and I am making a fresh start on my own. No one to blame, I just needed to do what I felt was going to be best for me. It was a very difficult choice to leave my marriage after having spent 15 years together. We parted on as good of terms as one can in this situation and I believe we will remain friends. So there you have it, at 47 years old I am starting over- full of hope, a little scared and trusting that I will find peace & happiness on this new path.

It has taken me some time to get my studio back up and running but I am finally creating again. Lots of back orders so I am busy (which is good for more than my finances)! Also having to adjust to a MUCH smaller space has had its challenges but the biggest challenge is having to transport my work to be fired since I could not hook up my kiln at my new place. I have to pack it in all kinds of padding and every bump in the road makes me cringe!!! I only lost 2 little pieces so far so I feel pretty lucky.

Besides catching up on my orders- I am teaching handbuilding this session at Clayworks. I have a great group of students who have made my Wednesday nights a lot of fun- I hope they are enjoying it as much as I am!

Have a great weekend, love the one you're with and enjoy every moment!

workshop...

2010-05-21T12:30:00.005-04:00

Last week I gave a little workshop in my hometown of Lafayette, Indiana. I had not been back in more than 20 years!

I was invited by my high school ceramics teacher, Jane Boswell (who was the most wonderful, caring teacher EVER)! She and her husband Jeff, who is also a really great potter, made the whole trip possible- THANK YOU both so much!!!
It was a whirlwind visit but I enjoyed every minute of it.

2010-04-27T07:51:00.003-04:00

I am currently in a show at Mudfire. Check out the link to view some cool handbuilt work by twenty artists.
http://www.mudfire.com/constructed.htm

Fresh start...

2010-01-02T12:13:00.003-05:00

Well,right now I am taking a little break from cleaning up my garage studio. It is very chilly here today and I have three layers of clothing on just to make it bearable. I've got my little space heater cranked on high but it is not doing a very good job of warming the place up.

I really let things get out of hand in the studio for the last couple of months and it is a total wreck. I am cleaning top to bottom. Purging lots of old crap that I have been saving for I don't know what. It always makes me feel so much better once things are in order again.

Speaking of orders... I already have three good orders to fill so I guess things are starting off right this new year!

Okay, I've got a cup of hot tea so it's back to the trenches... have a great weekend.

xo
b.

2009-12-31T15:22:00.001-05:00

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...

2009-12-20T09:13:00.002-05:00

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...

2009-09-01T09:06:00.003-04:00

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...

2009-08-20T09:31:00.008-04:00

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...

2009-08-07T16:56:00.008-04:00

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...

2009-08-05T23:04:00.006-04:00

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!

2009-08-04T18:10:00.013-04:00

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...

2009-07-28T12:18:00.004-04:00

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...

2009-07-03T16:04:00.003-04:00

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

Good tip...

2009-07-03T15:57:00.001-04:00

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...

2009-05-30T08:50:00.002-04:00

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...

2009-05-11T12:30:00.002-04:00

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!

2009-05-08T10:21:00.016-04:00

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...

2009-05-01T11:06:00.004-04:00

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!

2009-03-26T06:43:00.007-04:00

In progress...

2009-03-04T20:14:00.005-05:00

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.

2009-02-16T08:18:00.017-05:00

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...

2009-02-05T09:28:00.005-05:00

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!

2009-01-14T11:12:00.002-05:00

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...

2009-01-12T10:32:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-01-06T10:06:00.005-05:00

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 )

I am still here!

2008-09-29T07:41:00.023-04:00

I am currently trying to get ready for the Charlotte Clay Guild "Barn Sale". It happens twice a year and is a great local sale.

I have had many distractions in the past few months so I am not going to have as much work as I normally do and I am a little disappointed with myself. But it is what it is and I am trying not to beat myself up over it too much.

Another “creative distraction” is that right now I am working in chaos- my studio (half of our garage) is a total wreck! I just don't want to take the time to clean it up! After this sale I would love to paint the walls, hang some images, rearrange and really make it "my space". I think it is important to create in a space that is inspiring and efficient. So that is going to be my goal for the end of the year...

Anywhoo, here are shots of the disaster zone... my little kiln and work in progress.

2008-07-26T11:26:00.013-04:00

I am pretty eclectic when it comes to creating. I usually go out to the studio without a concrete plan and begin creating. Sometimes I don’t have that luxury (like when I am working on something custom which I find very stressful but that is a whole different post) so for the most part I work very intuitively- the actual pieces are my sketches.

That is not to say I don’t have copious sketchbooks full of thoughts & ideas- but those are mainly to help my overloaded brain remember an idea (as I age, I realize my brain is kind of like a sieve and I need a little prompt now and then to recall something I want to try).

About my work...

2008-07-25T15:38:00.003-04:00

I create porcelain objects often incorporating highly embellished surfaces.
My pieces are hand built using slab construction techniques. I use a variety of texture making tools, ceramics pigments and translucent glazes. I fire in an oxidation atmosphere to cone 6.
I am inspired by nature, fabric/textiles, graphic design and architecture. Each piece is a representation of my interest in exploring the elements of line, color, pattern and detail. I often work on an intimate scale meant to entice the viewer both physically and visually. Most of my pieces are one-of-a-kind.
My genuine enjoyment of the medium is evident by the playful nature of my work but I also strive to convey refinement and meticulous craftsmanship in each piece.