Ashley Bryan

Welcome to my blog! Look what's going on in my studio!

    

It snowed all day yesterday! Very unusual for Alabama. I stayed in my studio all day and watched it blanket the trees. I have been working slowly as one of my kilns is not working! So, I have turned to painting for a bit. I am painting dresses. Why do I only fixate on clothes? Next I will get a sewing machine...........naw. I haven't reached that level of hysteria...yet.



  

I have been cleaning up my studio. After Christmas it looked like it should be featured on the show about hoarders! I have rearranged things and have found tools I didn't know I had. To be honest, I don't even remember why I got half of them. Went to FL over Christmas break. Decided I didn't have enough to create- I decided to paint. I painted pictures of wedding dresses and baby dresses that I have made of clay. It prompted the buying of everything you need in the world --- and the packing of the studio begins again now that I am at home! I guess it will continue to be in a state of chaos. Maybe I should just embrace that state of frenzy. It seems to follow me!

These are some examples of the wedding dress sculptures that I have gotten questions about. Yes, usually I can make one that is similar to your own... but not always. I can usually tell right away whether it is something that I can replicate. Often dresses with lace are tricky as are long trains. Just send me a photo and I will let you know!

Made a quick trip to Atlanta for Thanksgiving, but back at home and ready to hit the studio again. Got deliveries to make! 27? more days until Christmas???

BIG PEACE DOVE

I made this piece for Arceneaux Art Gallery in Birmingham, AL.  It is much larger than I normally make and I did multiple firings and glazes.  In some ways it looks like an antique piece.  I'm not sure why.  It may be because there are such different textures throughout.  Some are shiny and smooth and others are dry and crackled.  Arceneaux has a lot of great paintings and antique prints.  Check out their store!  Also, I will be at Lamb's Ears on Thursday, November 12th, for a special day of holiday shopping with local artists.  Come see us in Cahaba Heights!

The Villager: Auburn, AL

This is the link to the gallery in Auburn, AL:

http://www.shopvillager.com/through-looking-glass-c-78.html?list=products

 Today I am trying to decide whether pieces are dry enough to fire!  I am running out of room in my studio!   I have been experimenting with making glazes and it makes me wish I had listened in chemistry class a thousand years ago AND also that I understood it!!  I am looking for a copper-like green recipe for a cone six glaze - oxidation.  If anyone has one please share!   I hope to have some new pictures soon if I can get stuff moving through the process! 

October 3, 2009

I will be blogging as often as possible to show my new sculptural pieces and welcome any questions!  Each day I try to get into my studio and work for at least a couple of hours.  To say it is work, is not really a good description because for me, it is more like meditation.  I usually turn on my iPod, wipe down my tables, take out clay and then begin.  Sometimes there is intention of what I am making and sometimes not.  Both are rewarding.  This is the only thing that I have ever been able to do to lose completely a sense of time passing.  I think everyone needs something like this, but it is different for each person.

Today I worked on birds and nests for a special order.  I like making the birds because if you thin out the clay at the ends, it really creates a sense of movement.