Ann Marie Cooper
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Reflections and Celebrations

Some Like it Hot

6/12/2018

 
PictureBack Row: Ann Marie Cooper, Heather Hitt, John Brooks, Any Guelmann, Jenn Gavlin, Tracy Rock, Nick Kestler Front Row: Mike Rogers, Zoe Peterson, Liz Duarte, Phi Le, Tara Wilson
If you follow me on Instagram (@annieoclay), you probably know I have a passion for wood-firing.  That passion is always there, smoldering in the back of my heart and mind throughout the year between firings. It fully ignites when I have a firing on the horizon, or in this case, just past. 
Recently I had the opportunity to fire with renowned Montana wood-firer, Tara Wilson, thanks to the Washington Clay Arts Association.  As part of the WCA's annual Summer Social, we teamed up with Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA, to host a workshop for WCA members, with Tara as our fire master.  What a time we had! The weather was wild: cold, windy, hot, windy, cold, windy, windy. Did I mention windy?  The participants varied in experience level, from newbies to experienced wood-firers. The anticipation, camaraderie and cooperation created a delightful firing atmosphere, despite the challenges we encountered along the way.  Midway through the firing we struggled to even the heat of the kiln. The front roared beyond where we wanted, while the back remained too cool.  Eventually we succeeded in balancing things out with a little Tara Wilson know-how, and we managed to get the back of the kiln up to a solid Cone 10 (which was our goal, although up front, Cone 11 was a puddle and we hit 2460 on the pyrometer).  The roaring temperatures made for a lot of group sculptures, and the broken shelf in the front section didn't help those pots any, but there were some mighty fine survivors, and I think the newbies are hooked!

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Sadly, I lost a lot of pots in this firing--for various reasons--but I know where my heart lies, and I'm already itching to get stoking again. I learned a lot, and had a marvelous time, which is part of the whole wood-firing experience.
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Kilnside with our workshop Fire Master, Tara Wilson
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Just a couple of hundred degrees in there as I unloaded the back stack....
Thank you, Any Guelmann, for the slow-motion stoking video!

Reflections on NCECA 2018

4/15/2018

 
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As an avid dino devotee, I found this year's logo particularly delightful. Showing off my new T-shirt here by The Artstream Gallery, one of my favorites to peruse every year.
​I'm not sure what's flown by faster: the month since I was in Pittsburgh or the week I spent there. Either way, life has been a whirlwind lately, and I'm realizing the importance of making note of the significant, formative moments of my clay life (largely to help myself remember!). I've traveled more in my last few years than most of the rest of my life, especially for my love and pursuit of greater clay knowledge. I'm regretting now that I did not write reflections on my journeys in 2016 to Kansas City, Missouri for NCECA and to Chicago/Aurora, Illinois for the Waubonsee Wood-Fired Conference, nor last year's trip to North Carolina for the Woodfire NC Conference. What was I thinking?! These experiences have done so much for me in my growth as an artist, and as an individual. The expansion of my ceramics family across the country(the world, really), humbles and delights me. The instant connection when we share our triumphs and struggles makes me thankful every day that I immersed myself in clay. Whew! Pardon me, am I getting too mushy? I admit it, the passion run deeps and I'm prone to expound on it. Moving on....  This year marks my 4th NCECA since my clay captivation, and I want to share some of my favorite sights and experiences.
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A T-Rex welcome at the Pittsburgh airport immediately assured me of a good time.
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The weather in Pittsburgh was unlike any I've ever experienced: rain, sun, snow, wind, sun, snow & wind, repeat....
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I walked several thousand steps around these tables with this hard-working crew to stuff the informational bags for conference attendees.
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The rest of my volunteer shift required me to help Laura Jean McLaughlin build the Unity Shards mosaic project. (Best volunteer job ever!)

I did not take enough pictures of pots or people with whom I spent my time in Pittsburgh.  I think I first brought out my camera at Standard Ceramics for Julia Galloway's spectacular and poignant Endangered Species Project.  I think you can see why.   These plates, meticulously decorated with platinum  and mother-of-pearl luster, represent species at great risk--and extinct--in the state of Pennsylvania.  It was a sobering and awe-inspiring display.
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In awe of Julia Galloway's installation with my friend, Meredith Chernick of Fern Street Pottery.
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PictureAsh & Flash Exhibit, pots by Carolanne Currier
The last shows I visited before heading to the airport centered around wood-fired pottery, both displayed at the Sweetwater Center for the Arts. In the main gallery, "Ash & Flash", rich with luscious works, sparked my wood-firing desires. Upstairs, my mind was blown by Elaine Henry's "50 Bowls/50 States/50 Woodfires" project: identical bowls fired in different wood kilns across the country! An informative, eye-opening display, I sincerely hope she's able to publish her project someday.  Such invaluable information for both wood-firing potters and the collectors of their work.

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The juicy teal pooling in this bowl fired in Louisiana made this one of my favorites.
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 I thoroughly enjoyed "Collaborative Companions", at the magnificent Union Project--not just because it included the work of my friend Damian Grava (pictured in red), but witnessing how the voices of two artists come together is fascinating, and at times, breathtaking.  I'd love to get in on some collaborations in the future myself. Damian collaborated with Ian Childers and Eric Botbyl--splendid work, fellas!
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Damian Grava and George Rodriguez, pictured with Damian's contributions to "Collaborative Companions".

Here are a few more pieces that spoke to me. Sadly, I did not get the names of the first two artists pictured, but the wood-fired platter in picture three is by none other than American wood-firing icon, Jack Troy. (I'm seeing a trend in my favorites....🔥)
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I'm a people person....and I didn't ever realize that until I became involved with ceramics. Since then I've discovered that I need my clay community, these conferences, these connections that help me be the best me--within my clay life and outside it (yes, I have that, too). I thrive on those familiar smiles and hellos in the hallways, the winks across the hotel lobby. 😉 Like many folks, I'm reserved at the start of an acquaintance, but once that connection is made, I'm all in. Apparently at this NCECA, I was so in that these are the only people pics I brought home (the first I borrowed from my friend, Karen Wise (so wise she always remembers to take photos in the moment). To all those of you whom I shared this experience, know that I treasure every moment--my roomies, fellow wanderers, drink sharers, dance partners: Liz, JJ, Meredith, Heather, Amy, Simon, Harry, Irene, Damian, George, Sudhi, Ellie, James, Liz, Erin, Mya, Zak, Karen, Sean, Jake, Rickie, Kimberly...and so many more, including the new folks I met and hope to get to know better at future conferences. And to those I didn't get to see or visit with longer, let's try for more next year!
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Hanging in a hotel bar with Karen Wise, Eliza Weber, George Rodriguez & Jake Corboy
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Spent a lot of time with these lovelies: Amy Song, Heather Hitt & Meredith Chernick
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At the Artstream with Simon Levin

  So much to see and do in so little time...NCECA 2018 left me feeling like this wood-fired whiskey roller by Denise Joyal, which I purchased in Pittsburgh.
​The countdown is on to more head-spinning fun--as of today, only 11 months and 10 days to wait! See you in Minneapolis, clay family!

And now for something slightly different....

2/23/2018

 
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I've been coiling clay for nearly 7 years. Historically, I've left the clay raw on the outside with just a hint of glaze between the coils to highlight the designs I painstakingly roll out with my hands. I love the natural look of the vitrified red clay, the texture and warmth beneath my fingers as I savor a cup of coffee. It's always felt so potterly to me. However, I know that the raw clay-ness isn't for everyone, and honestly, there's always been this little part of me that hungered for a bit more color in my work.  Individually, my brown pots are intriguing; as a group display they lack that pizzazz that draws people over.  Through the years I've experimented with different glazes and glaze thicknesses to encase my vessels, with disappointing results. More often than not the glaze has obliterated all or most of the coil lines, leaving a plain surface, which is obviously not the intent of my work. 

2018 has been a chaotic year so far--around the world and in my personal life. I've felt the need for change, for hope, for simple pleasures to distract from the chaos. Not all of those needs are rapidly achievable, but in the grand scheme of things, some pretty quick gratification can happen in the clay studio.  Over the last month I spent my studio time coiling a silky-smooth white stoneware--a soothing change in itself. I've been adding assorted shapes to break up the spirals. It's been a cold winter of late in Bellingham, bringing thoughts of warmer days to the forefront of my mind, thus flowers, butterflies and dragonflies have made an apperance, in addition to cheery stars and hearts.  I did some research and selected glazes guaranteed to highlight the coil lines, in colors that sing out spring. Today I held my breath and opened my kiln and then, with glee, brought forth a new era of Kulshan Clayworks: Color Magic.

Workshop Time!

2/5/2018

 
I love taking my Clay Coil Illustration workshop to  new studios. Over the weekend I spent four hours at the Kirkland Arts Center getting to know some incredible people from all walks of life, with various levels of clay expertise. I was constantly astounded and delighted by what my students created while we shared some thought-provoking and entertaining conversation.


Is there a clay studio in your area that might like to host a workshop with me? Feel free to contact me!

Annual Give-Back at Good Earth Pottery

12/28/2017

 
PictureMug on the right by my GEP business partner, Deb Martin.
Winter Warmers~ Every January at Good Earth Pottery we like to give back to our community in a show of appreciation and sharing the love, for keeping us going all these [49!] years. This year, we raise a mug to you and ask you to raise a mug for your neighbors: Good Earth Pottery will donate 10% of every mug purchase in January to Maple Alley Inn, the Opportunity Council's hot meals program. Warm drinks, warm bellies, warm hearts. Cheers, Bellingham (and beyond)!

First Anniversary!

7/10/2017

 
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It's true: time really does fly when you're having fun! I can't believe it's already the first anniversary of my co-ownership at Good Earth Pottery. It was an easy decision at the time, and I've no regrets.  I'm channeling most of my energy into the gallery, and doing less festivals--which is a relief, honestly. As much as I love traveling and connecting with my customers out in the world, balancing gallery ownership, teaching, studio time and family life is enough work for  me right now.  If you're ever in Bellingham, please stop by--chances are you'll find me in the gallery! And I'm doing my best to keep my shelves stocked there.  In fact, I'm working feverishly this summer for my feature show at Good Earth in September.  Watch for exciting new things, and mark your calendar for Fairhaven's Fourth Friday Art Walk on September 22nd.

Showtime!

5/14/2017

 
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"Images on Clay" at Clay Arts Vegas
I've recently been putting a lot more energy into getting my work into exhibitions  around the country and having some success! My wood-fired vase, "Harmony" was accepted into the "Images on Clay" show at Clay Arts Vegas juried by Jason Bige Burnett. Just last week I sent a soda-fired cup accepted to the "Soda2" show at Mantle Gallery in Kentucky, juried by Patrick Rademaker--that show opens May 19th and runs through June 23rd(look for it online). I also have a soda-fired flask on display at Pottery Northwest in Seattle as part of their annual Student Show (I fired the flask at a weekend workshop last summer).
I wonder where I'll turn up next....????

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Soda2 at Mantle Gallery
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Student Show at Pottery Northwest

Look, Ma--I'm in a book!

3/9/2017

 
Last September a publisher contacted me about including some photographs of my work in an upcoming book. I've been holding my breath since then, wondering if they'd actually used the pictures. Well, the book just hit the shelves, and I picked up my own copy yesterday at our local indie treasure, Village Books.  They used my pictures!  I'm feeling pretty giddy. 
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Viva Las Vegas!

1/20/2017

 
I just shipped my three favorite cups from a recent wood-firing to the 2017 Juried Cup Show at Clay Arts Vegas, juried by Nolan Baumgartner. I feel very honored to have had all three cups selected, and I can't wait to see the show on their website when it's up in February, since alas, I can't get to Vegas myself.

Good Earth Pottery

7/5/2016

 
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I have some exciting news: after nearly 7 years as a devoted employee at Good Earth Pottery, I have become co-owner! I owe so much to recently retired co-owner, Linda Stone. Linda and I were connected from my LaConner days, and when she heard I'd moved back to Bellingham in 2009, she hunted me down and offered me a job.  At that time, I held  only a smattering of basic pottery knowledge--it was my sales, marketing and tech skills that brought me on to the team. Well, I got sucked into the mud completely, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm thrilled to partner with Deb Martin to keep Good Earth Pottery going onward and upward!
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We held a lovely surprise farewell reception for Linda Stone in May. Thank you for everything, Linda!
CLICK HERE TO VISIT GOOD EARTH POTTERY'S WEBSITE
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  • HOME
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