Women Working with Clay Symposium

This June I'm participating in the Women Working with Clay Symposium at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. There will be demonstrations of different working processes including figurative sculpture, mold making, slip casting, throwing, altering thrown pots, and hand building. There will also be panel discussions ranging from "the particular aspects and points of view that may be unique to women working in clay" to "the connections of the long history of women in cultures all over the world as vessel makers, artists and artisans." The artists include Donna Polseno, Andrea Gill, Silvie Granatelli, Kari Radasch, Kala Stein, and Jerilyn Virden with guest lecturers Mary Barringer, Johanna Ruth Epstein, and Kathleen Nolan.

Please visit with website for more information and the Facebook page for updates.

Women Working with Clay Symposium website

Facebook Page

Cup Giveaway!

Happy Birthday to me and Cup Giveaway!

Next week is my birthday and I’ve decided to offer a Cup Giveaway to one lucky person. In order to win one of my cups visit my new Facebook Page, Dara Hartman Ceramics, and “Like” the page. I will select the winner at midnight on March 3. Good luck!

Ceramic Showcase

Ceramic Showcase at the Oregon Convention Center is getting close. Put it on your calendar for April 30, May 1 and 2. Below is the postcard with location, dates, and hours. You can also visit the Ceramic Showcase website for more information. Hope to see you there!

Studio Tour and Pottery Sale

Growlers Gulch Ride 'em All

On Saturday, July 11th, twenty two members of the Growlers Gulch crew got together to endure the 32 mile 5,140 feet of elevation gain ride called the Ride 'em All. I started at 6:00 AM with Jeff Muldoon, Paul Norris, Jeff Lipton, Ken Pearson, and Joel Rogauskus. The ride included four legs of interval single track. On the first leg I rode strong and hard without any breaks. By the second leg I was truly inducted into the GG crew with their "Good Neighbor Policy" of riding off as soon as the last person pulls up. However, I did try to keep my distance from the guys in front due to their foul farts. Many thanks to Mel Norris for providing food and refreshments along the ride. Good times were had by all and I look forward to next year's Ride 'em All.

To see photos and read more about the ride visit:

http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/1458/ride-em-all-falls-before-stellar-growlers-gulch-crew

Marriott Grand Opening

Next week is the Grand Opening for the Portland City Center Courtyard Marriott.  Here are a few of the pieces that will be on display in the rooms.  The commission included 60 pieces in all.  

Finishing Touches

Here are the final images for finishing the figurative vessels.  

I cut away the excess clay on the top half of the figure.   

Score and Slip the two halves.  

Pinch them together.  

I paddle the seam to make sure the two halves are well joined and to shape the top into the desired form.  

Next, I shave away the excess clay.  

Then, smooth the form with a soft rubber rib. 

After the piece is smooth I cut an opening into the top. 

Then I smooth the lip with a sponge.  At this stage I will either let the piece dry or will carve a texture into the surface.