Potter Brian Jones trained out to Doylestown last Thursday from The Clay Studio in Phila. to record our conversation concerning a wide range of topics apropos to the life of a ceramic artist. I’m always delighted to speak on this subject to anyone working in clay but there was an added level of interest for me as Brian and I are exactly 20 years apart (I be the elder here).
Some things have changed for one trying to establish themselves post-grad school and some things will never change. Brian’s visit reminded me of how much I love the connection among potters. We’d met a few times over the years but never had the pleasure of hanging out. There was no shortage of things to talk about/argue about. It was easy and super fun. Didn’t hurt that he’s such a doll of a person and an excellent interviewer. Check out his work here. And click here for the pod-cast ep. #13 Lisa Naples

Craft New York: March 30-31 + April 1, 2012.
Friday 3-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5.

7 W 34th Steet at 5th Ave. New York

NYC’s most popular new art show venue – directly across from the Empire State Building.
This  second annual exhibit and sale is a must see for anyone interested in the finest American craft being made today and will feature 120
internationally renowned  artists producing one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces.

For more info: http://www.craftnewyork.com/

For a list of my other Spring shows, click here.

Botanical Callagraph: Carolyn Mercatante, 2011

Abundance and Scarcity

I welcome you to join me this weekend, Dec. 10-11 for my Fall Open Studio. Cookies are baking as are the final batch of pots. In addition to my own pottery and sculpture, I’ll be featuring a series of landscape monotypes and botanical collagraphs from Bucks County artist, Carolyn Mercatante.
We’ll be here at the studio (2321 Lower State Rd. Doylestown, PA 18901) from 10am till 5pm. 215-340-0964.

Hare Vase, by Lisa Naples (Click image for larger view)

A convergence was bound to happen…after a few years making sculpture and pottery in parallel, they decided to merge.

This pot is thrown on my wheel and altered. Then the hare is hollow formed, kind of like a pinch pot. Once I have the rough features, I sculpt out the rest and add the ample ears.

It’s coloring comes from dry brushing studio made slips and finishing at cone 1 with my custom satin clear glaze.

H-8” x W-5” x D-6”, 2011

We’ve done some housekeeping on my website.

Now, what you’ll see at LisaNaples.com is closer to what’s in the studio for my upcoming Open Studio.

Dates are:
December 10-11 (Saturday and Sunday)
From 10am to 5pm each day.

Thanks for looking and hope to see you soon,
Lisa

2321 Lower State Rd. Doylestown, PA 18901.
More info: 215-340-0964

Crow Cups, by Lisa Naples (Click image for larger view)

All I wrote about the “textured cups” applies here only there’s that added energy of the drawing and stories that I play with on these. The lovely thing for me, working with the image of crow is that it’s a continuous revelation of subject matter. I’m ever grateful to be part of this flowing energy.

So far, here are some of the stories:

Crows moving eggs around the lower parts of the cups are creatures working in concert.

Where there’s a crow with an egg in it’s mouth and another screaming it’s “Caw-Caw-Caw” at it, the screaming crow usually has feathers turning into eggs as you turn those cups around. These are all about abundance and scarcity…about what we ‘think we know’ and how, when we get uber focused like that, we miss obvious things going on around us.

I look forward to more stories surfacing as I practice, play and stay open in my studio.

H-4” x W-4” x D-3”, 2011

‘The Fight’ in 4 acts, by Lisa Naples (Click image for larger view)

Anyone who has been in a committed relationship knows this story.

There’s an argument followed by the passage of time which allows for a softening.

One partner is the designated peacemaker and begins the thaw which leads to reconciliation.

The writer Kenneth Patchen once wrote that “Caring is the only Daring”. I tend to agree.

H-5” x W-variable

The Scapegoat Declined the Offer, by Lisa Naples (Click for larger image)

The little goat on the left tried to ‘scapegoat’ the dude on the right.

But the dude on the right caught on in time and is giving him ‘what for’.

So now the goat on the left is feeling the force of his own malice reflected back to him.

A rare gift.

H-5” x W-4.5” x D-2”, 2011

Entering the Mysterium, by Lisa Naples (Click image for larger view)

This piece is all about the creative process…mine at least. I’ve narrowed it down to this: #1: play, #2: practice, #3:not knowing but moving forward anyway.

So, this means that I have no idea where to begin which, let’s face it, is stressful. But the price of admission to the process is play so that means mustering enough confidence to allow the stress to have a seat over in the corner.

It doesn’t matter where I start but THAT I start. Then the material always brings information and inspiration so I pick up some threads there and continue to practice until something starts to take shape and understanding begins.

In this piece I started with a vintage roller skate and a cake beater (that pink scepter-ish thing has a metal beater core). I chose the image of rabbits b/c they always seem playful to me and represent creatures who must deal with fear a lot being that they’re commonly prey. Their fertility wasn’t lost on me either.

They’re entering the mysterium (the creative process) blindfolded and bringing their dandiest carrot sceptor as a gift to the gods.

H-14” x W-13” x D-9”, 2011

Abundance and Scarcity, by Lisa Naples (Click image for larger view)

Abundance on the right has an egg. Scarcity (two birds) on the left assume it’s the only egg and therefore want it for themselves. They’re screaming and yelling for bird #1 to cough it up.

Meanwhile, what birds #2 + 3 don’t know is that their very own feathers are turning into eggs.

The vintage xylophone represents the music birds create.

H-7” x W-16” x D-6”, 2011

This time of year can get so hectic – so save the dates now.

And then come and see new pottery and figurative sculpture.

Gift yourself or a friend something hand made this year.

10am-5pm both days.

2321 Lower State Rd. Doylestown, PA 18901.

More Info: 215-340-0964