Terry Shipley Ceramics

MORE CERAMIC FLOWERS

2012-01-30T19:10:00.024-05:00

I have discovered how much I really like

making ceramic flowers. What's not to like...

crazy colors, stacking lots of shapes into one piece!

Almost like making little totems!

So many bits.

So many possibilities!

KIAWAH, SOUTH CAROLINA in December

2011-12-31T10:07:00.015-05:00

KIAWAH is a beautiful island on the

South Carolina coast.

You just can't beat the beach in winter.

Moss covered oaks

Oh yeah, these signs are plentiful.

The island wildlife

is amazing

Hoping all enjoyed a lovely holiday and wishing you a Happy and Peaceful New Year!

SWEET LILY, THE WONDER DOG

2011-12-14T16:01:00.012-05:00

This is my wonderful Lily.

Her favorite day is when she can chase
squirrels around the yard, dig up voles,
track down lizards, and bark at the wind.

She spends her late mornings

sleeping on a soft cushion,
hopefully in the sunshine.

Lily will hide all the loose socks
then give you a look that says,
"who me?"

She is my muse.

CLINTON LIBRARY and the ARKANSAS RIVER in November

2011-11-27T10:51:00.023-05:00

Spent an afternoon last week on the grounds of the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas .
It was a perfect cool and overcast day along the
Arkansas River with Kathy and Macy.
I was fascinated with the
1899 Rock Island Railroad Bridge.
It is now a pedestrian bridge to North Little Rock.

The view from the Clinton Library over the river was so moody and gray....just perfect.
The architect, James Polshek, used the proximity of the river
for the cantilevered portion of the building.
I love the lines.

Decorative Spheres

2011-11-13T17:24:00.017-05:00

Ceramic balls on exhibit at Ciel Gallery in Charlotte, NC.

The black and white balls are in the process of being made for an outdoor garden.

Colorful decorative balls can go
anywhere, even on a
friend's mosaic wall!

Spheres are my favorite form,
even colorful paper ones glowing at night!

FLOWERS!

2011-11-08T10:22:00.001-05:00

There is endless inspiration from the flowers in my garden
and I hate to say good bye as the season changes.

The daisy follows soft the sun,
And when his golden walk is done. Sits shyly at his feet.
He, waking, finds the flower near...
We are the flower, Thou the sun! Forgive us, if as days decline...
Emily Dickinson

Vase with Flowers

2011-11-03T10:35:00.000-04:00

Recently inspired by button flowers, I couldn't
resist making ceramic flowers for my vases.
I'm showing these in a current exhibit at Ciel Gallery,
Charlotte, North Carolina.

So many pieces!!!
Can't wait to make more.

MOMENTUM, an exhibit

2011-10-29T12:42:00.000-04:00

As a new member of this wonderful group,
I encourage you to check out this great show!

Charlotte Artery
Presents
our Fall Exhibit
Nov 4 - 25, 2011

Ciel Gallery + Mosaic Studio in Historic South End
128-C East Park Avenue
Charlotte NC 28203

(on East Park Ave between Camden Rd and South Blvd)

Please join the artists for the following special events:

Opening Reception: Friday, Nov 4, 2011 - 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Closing Reception: Friday, Nov 25, 2011 - 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Artist Talks at 7:00 p.m. both evenings

Featuring recent work by Charlotte ARTery artists:
Julie Benda, Bev Nagy, Teresa Hollmeyer, Paul Keysar,
Sharon Dowell, Isaac Payne, and Terry Shipley

Also featuring, our guest artists:
Natalie Abrams, Diane Pike, and Pamela Winegard

Ciel Gallery + Mosaic Studio is open
Tu-Fri 11 am to 6 pm and Sat 10 am to 5 pm.
To make an appointment, please contact Teresa Hollmeyer at (704) 604-3832 .

2011-06-02T19:59:00.000-04:00

I have the great pleasure of
participating
in this wonderful show.
If you have the
opportunity, please come by!

Charlotte Artery Presents transFUSION
Closing Reception, June 3, 2011

Gaines Brown Gallery in Historic South End
1520 S. Tryon St
Charlotte NC 28203
MAP
(corner of S. Tryon St, Camden Rd, and W Summit Ave - across from The Common Market)

Please join the artists for the:

Closing Reception:
Friday, June 3, 2011 -
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Janet Lasher will present an Artist Talk at 7:00 p.m.

Featuring recent work by Charlotte ARTery artists:
Julie Benda, Janet Lasher, Ashley Lathe, Bev Nagy,
Sharon Dowell, Teresa Hollmeyer, Paul Keysar, and Jon Tarleton

Also featuring, our guest artists:
Cher Cosper, Allison Luce, Isaac Payne, and Terry Shipley

TOTEMS

2011-05-25T17:54:00.000-04:00

I am currently in a wonderful exhibition with the Charlotte ARTery at the Gaines Brown building in the Southend.
The closing reception is Friday, June 3 from 6-9pm. If you're around, please stop in. I'm showing five ceramic totems that stand on metal bases ranging in size from 22" to 33" tall. I've got to say that these are incredibly fun to make. I begin by thinking size, proportion, color, shapes...and then I ignore all of that and just begin making whatever comes to me. It's then like a crazy vertical puzzle and eventually it all comes together. Hope you enjoy them!

BOTTLE TREE

2011-03-11T12:15:00.000-05:00

This is my new Bottle Tree! I've always loved these wonderful outdoor pieces. When the light hits the blue and green bottles, it is truly beautiful. Thank you Andy!! Chris actually drove it over in a friends truck, the tree standing straight up...minus the bottles! The plan is to garden all around the tree. I can't wait. I encourage garden art for many reasons, one of which it pulls you
outside. A great place to be!

These aren't bottles!!!!

An Abundance of Vases...

2010-10-12T16:17:00.000-04:00

These are centerpiece vases for a funding raising luncheon as they appear after a bisque firing, still in the kiln, then glazed and finished. It's amazing how underglaze colors intensify after they are fired. There is an assortment of sizes that should make an interesting mix.

The flowers were all different for each table and really helped make the vase. Happy to say they all held water!! I found that the scallop tops hold the flower stems really well and its been fun trying my own arrangements at home. Orange is my new favorite color!

NEW YORK CITY!

2010-04-27T20:51:00.001-04:00

Wonderful trip to New York!! One of the highlights of course, was the opening at Fischbach Gallery of Patrick Gordon's exquisite translations of the Dutch Masters.
A dear friend and an amazing artist!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2010-01-03T16:37:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a healthy and successful New Year!
It's been awhile since I've been on this site and will resolve to write more. There certainly are things I want to share.
Speaking of which...these are just a few of the memorable images from my 2009. If I could figure out how to actually place captions under each, I would.

Lots of Vases!

2009-09-20T16:01:00.000-04:00

I know it's been awhile since I've posted. I've been really busy on the above vases. There are twelve all together. The photo shows the pieces in their bisque state. The colors will actually intensify after they're glazed. Don't they just look like they want to tap dance off the table?!!

On a recent trip to Little Rock to see family I got to meet our newest member. This is Macy, a
Wheaten Terrier, and only nine weeks old. Of course she stole our hearts!

Lily, the beagle, our most recent adoptee, has found a new favorite spot on the patio. She's two years old and has been with us for almost a year and a half. If she ever got to me her Little Rock cousin, I know they would be fast friends.

I've always loved looking at the puffy clouds seen from a plane's window. What a perspective! I seem to be cloud aware these days.

Seaside, Florida

2009-08-06T21:37:00.000-04:00

We're spending this week with family, extended family, and friends at a wonderful beach on the panhandle of Florida. We have been coming here for 15 years and have seen a lot of changes in the landscape as well as seeing our kids grow up on this beach. I want to share some of the photos with you. I'm particularly excited about the intense colors and scenes we continue to find at this remarkable place. The above photo was taken early yesterday. I watched these clouds form and reshape during the morning. We had some wind and only a bit of rain, but enjoyed the intense colors that come from a sky like this.
The giant mosaic frogs are fountains shooting water into this beautiful pool. Close up you can see they're made with glass tiles and flat marbles. Just how can I get one of these home
My husband Paul, is leaving the beach after a full day relaxing and riding the waves. Great shadows and lines!

There are many beautiful gardens. These bold flowers look like my newly painted bathroom. Yikes!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and able to spend time together with their families .

COLOR

2009-07-21T11:25:00.000-04:00

I have begun working on my son, Max's dishes for his new home at school. I'm making eight dinner plates, maybe some smaller plates and I'll add several bowls to the set as well. My plates tend to be a little wonky, but totally functional. I am also in the process of picking colors for some rooms in our house. I'm totally dizzy over this and amazed how many times I can second guess myself. Do I really want mustard on the ceiling in the den, if I'm already using teal on the ceiling in the bedroom?!!! Will I begin to crave white?!!
I use a lot of color in my work and love mixing the colors as you can see from these photos. You'd think walls wouldn't be such a big deal.

Visit to Lawndale

2009-06-30T12:38:00.000-04:00

Barbara Chadwick-Bland and I cently visited dear riends, Corine Guseman and Hal Dedmond at their wonderful country home in Lawndale, NC. This is a photo of their home in the early morning mist. You can see part of the wood kiln to the left. Corine and Hal are both amazing potters who have the good fortune to work in this awesome setting. The property has been in Hal's family for generations and is quite picturesque. They actually have a compound: Gallery, studios, kiln shed, glazing shed, workshop/classroom facility...and yes an old barn with beautiful goats!!!!
We attended the exhibit opening of Between the Covers, a book arts show at the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby. Really loved the show and thoroughly enjoyed Margaret Cogswell, current artist in residence at Penland. Her work is incredible...I love it!!! Margaret shared her really, really good chocolate chip cookies and a performance piece, she's very clever!!
The other photos are of the goats, Corine's greenware vases, a beautiful red bug, the new deck, and our morning hike. It was wonderful to get away!! Thanks Hal and Corine!!

Ceramic Wall Hanging

2009-06-22T10:27:00.000-04:00

This is an image of a tiled wall hanging...not hanging! It currently measures 22"w x 28"h. It will eventually have a ceramic border in black and white, be mounted and grouted on a board. There are two larger pieces hanging at the Levine Children's Hospital and I have two at home. I have really enjoyed making these pieces and would love to work with this technique more. I can see an entry surround or a long horizontal piece as well. Hope you like it.

I'm currently working on several vases which will be wonky, three legged, black and white affairs. I'll show you as they progress.
Hope you enjoy this bright sunny day!!

Harley...Tigger...It's Duncan!!

2009-06-08T17:46:00.000-04:00

Our boy Duncan has a new home!!!! Karen lives down the street and doesn't mind frequent visitors...thank goodness! This is one happy pup. Welcome to new beginnings!

Goodbye sweet dog!!!!!

HAVING A BALL!!

2009-05-29T12:17:00.000-04:00

I think a lot about forms when working with clay. One of the reasons people are drawn to ceramics is because of the tactile quality of the surfaces and how the piece feels in your hands. This is the same whether you're holding a functional piece or touching a sculpture. For me the sphere is the ultimate form. I don't know if the appeal is the continuous expression, the sensual properties, or maybe how you can envelope the piece in your hands or arms. Possibly all three and much more. I have made spheres in all sizes as in the marbles above or the 15" garden sphere. I look forward to stacking, stringing, and scattering many more spheres in the future!!

It's a dog's world...thank goodness!

2009-05-15T17:48:00.000-04:00

This is eight month old Harley, the wonderful rescued dog. After a felonious beginning Harley is being fostered by my wonderful neighbors Seana and Bob. We're looking for the perfect home and in the mean time enjoying spending lots of time running and playing in Seana and Bob's giant backyard. I am impressed by the spirit of this great dog and his desire to be loved by his people. Neglect and animal abuse is a horrible issue to come face to face with and we all count Harley lucky to be out of his previous situation. Meet the Black and White Party Dog. I suppose you can guess that he is part of the Party Animal Series. He stands about 11" and also wants to be loved by his people. The third image is a Warhol print from the Mint show. Andy must have known my dog Louie, another great dog. Louie was rescued from the streets of Elizabeth about seven years ago. It's a dog's world don't ya know!!!!

2009-05-09T08:44:00.000-04:00

Good Morning! I had coffee this morning on the patio with this view and the birds were in high gear. Wishing all my friends well today at their various sales...Rosedale and the Barn Sale!! I hope to see you.
Above is my Party Sheep, part of the Party Animals series of earlier. He stands about 11" tall. All of the Animals are wearing hats...so you have a party of course!!

Creative Process

2009-05-08T23:19:00.000-04:00

I have recently been reading and thoroughly enjoying a book entitled INSPIRATION Tricia Guild. She is a British designer who has created fabrics, wall papers, and furnishings since 1970. The book is a glimpse into what inspires her creative process. For many years I have been collecting images from magazines, books, packaging, cards...all sorts of things, as Tricia Guild puts it "waiting to connect in some way...one of these images will come into my head, an idea for a design." It's spontaneous and often how inspiration works for me. The photographs in the book are spectacular!!

A particular artist she shares with us is Marc Quinn, also British, born in the mid 60's. The image I have included here...yes, I know it is sideways and no matter how I have tried to correct this, it has a mind of its own...please turn your head sideways to view!...is a piece he entitles Garden, 2000. What is totally fascinating about this work is that it is a whole garden full of plants which could never grow together kept in cryogenic suspension in a glass case...a frozen garden!! Wow!

Well...this is the beginning

2009-05-05T13:32:00.000-04:00

I must say, this certainly has taken quite a long time in coming. I've wanted to share some thoughts and images with you for awhile. Last November I moved my studio home after being apart of Clayworks in Charlotte for almost nine years. There certainly was good and bad. I no longer had the opportunity to spend days with some very close friends, watch their work progress, or gleam good advice on demand. On the other hand I have a wonderful view through both my french doors, fresh air whenever I swing them open, my dogs hanging close, and alot of new opportunities. The friends are still close and they're still willing to give good advice. All in all it was a great move. So today, my first posting, I want to share an image I took this morning 10 feet from my studio door. There are three baby birds in the nest!