Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Ceramic Studio Tour-Part 2

 Ceramic studio stop #2. Halldor Hjalmarson is a name I've heard before but I wasn't familiar with his work. We stopped here for the "sprigging" demonstration scheduled for noon. I had no idea what "sprigging" was but I was up for some education.
 We picked up some brochures and found this bowl of tempting nuggets. They turned out to be Hjalmarsons' business cards. His web address was stamped in to the back side of these clay pieces.
 We walked down his driveway towards his back yard and studio area. Gotta love these older houses with detached garages and studio apartments in the back. An artists' dream for coverting into working art studio space.
 We passed this beautiful vase. The prickley pear cactus relief is made using the "sprigging" technique. Ok, new knowledge making it's way into my brain.
 Tiles for sale. It was tempting but the colors are more neutral than I usually prefer. The hummingbird and the cholla cactus were very, very tempting. The detail was fantastic.
 Had to chuckle when we encountered this sign at the entrance to the studio.
 Molds. Piles of neatly stacked and labeled molds for tiles and the pieces added onto Hjalmarsons' clay surfaces.
 The hummingbird.
 These jars were beautiful. The desert flora and fauna depicted to such detail. I was awestruck.
 We met ceramicist, Julius Forzano. His work was displayed in the garden.
 I enjoyed the whimsy of his pieces. Upon closer inspection I realized he had hands, and fish and a variety of shapes for the handles on these vessels.

 We were treated to a wheel throwing demonstration by Forzano. Here he showed us how he stamps into his clay pieces using stamps.
 Some of the stamps in the studio. I got pretty excited about the possibility of making stamps for use in the classroom.
He made a stamp right there on the spot and then handed it to me to take home. What a treat! You might notice that the clay cracked. I think it dried too fast in my car. Warm days, a Phoenix "hazard" or help when it comes to drying art work.
Part 3 to come1
Marissa

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