The Vincent Series
HURRICANE HELENE UPDATE:
Dear friends and supporters:
Hurricane Helene came to the mountains of western North Carolina at the end of September and devastated our region. Entire communities swept away in landslides, surviving communities cut off behind lost roads, downed trees, sinkholes, and our water and power infrastructure gravely fractured. Water and power are still being restored, and many businesses (most small like us) are unable to operate. All of us who work at Crazy Green Studios are safe, which is most important. While I am deeply grateful to have my home in tact and was only without utilities for two weeks, both my studio at The Village Potters Clay Center and my beloved production studio for Crazy Green Studios have been completely demolished. READ MORE AT HOME PAGE
Hurricane Helene came to the mountains of western North Carolina at the end of September and devastated our region. Entire communities swept away in landslides, surviving communities cut off behind lost roads, downed trees, sinkholes, and our water and power infrastructure gravely fractured. Water and power are still being restored, and many businesses (most small like us) are unable to operate. All of us who work at Crazy Green Studios are safe, which is most important. While I am deeply grateful to have my home in tact and was only without utilities for two weeks, both my studio at The Village Potters Clay Center and my beloved production studio for Crazy Green Studios have been completely demolished. READ MORE AT HOME PAGE
The Vincent Series is inspired by my love of the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. While I love all of his work, for years I've stared at "Starry Night" whenever I could, mesmerized by the movement and texture of that sky, wishing I could find a way to translate it into clay. I have been drawing through slip ('sgraffito') and even carving out the backgrounds for a good while, but several years ago I was given a gift in disguise. I was temporarily sidelined from throwing while I healed from tendonitis, and while I couldn't do strenuous carving, I could anchor my tool in my brace for light, repetitive motions. As I was trying to create a rhythm in my carving, I noticed a resemblance to that elusive design I had loved for so long, and I realized that Van Gogh's sky was created with small strokes of the brush. Why couldn't I do the same with small strokes of the carving tool? I've been exploring it since, and while it takes a lot longer than my other decorative processes, it is deeply satisfying! No two pieces of any of my decorative works are alike - pieces shown are most likely sold, but you can contact the gallery at The Village Potters Clay Center to see what work in this series is available. Commissions are available, but because of the time involved in creating each piece, and because I balance this with my other production and commission work, I cannot state a standard turn-around for special orders. I do promise, however, they are worth the wait!
Images, L-R: Tim Barnwell, Tim Barnwell, L.Theriault