my mama's table

happy, and full, new year

2016 is off to an interesting start. I was back in the studio on January 3rd, working away on a few custom projects. One of them a set of dishes for a new graphic design office opening up in San Fransisco. Seems like it’s the year for handmade plates, even my mom ordered a set of dinner-sized ones. She likes the rose color, and I am looking forward to seeing her table set with ten of them. Here they are hanging out in their molds until it’s time to clean the edges.

I shape the edge with a surform tool, and finish by smoothing it with a very fine sponge. This gives a sculptural, unique, personality to each shape.

A table full of dishes, all from the first two weeks of the year. So excited to see what the rest of 2016 brings along. Happy New Year!

wishing you a joyful colorful holiday!

Holiday Open Studio
Saturday, December 19th, noon-6pm

The address is 560 Mineral Spring Ave, Unit HA105, Pawtucket, RI, 02860. The studio mill complex is across from Lorraine Fabrics.

YOU WILL NEED THESE directions when you arrive at the mill (it is a maze!):
As you are facing the 560 building, go into the driveway on the far right of it. Look for B&F Gym and CMI (Colonial Mills Rugs) signs.

The rug show room will be to your left as you turn in, and go a little bit behind the main building.

Immediately after the stop sign, there is a very narrow alley on your left, behind the rug showroom.

Park opposite the alley, and walk down it to the studio. The alleyway dead ends with gleena studio.

If you come to the B&F Gym, and a wide alleyway on your left, you have gone a little bit too far.

Hope to see you!

love and peace

As the holiday season begins with Thanksgiving, and I look forward to sitting down to dinner and toasting to good food with friends, I think of all that is happening in the world. I am so grateful for all the love that surrounds me, and the comfort and peace that I enjoy every day. This found peace I so treasure because my family left Soviet Russia as Jewish refugees in November of 1979. The three-month journey was a hard one, and I am forever grateful to my adopted country for welcoming us and for helping us in so many ways upon our arrival. My hope is that fear does not close the hearts that welcomed me and my family. I am sending love and peace to all families, everywhere.

'tis the season for color

Autumn is my favorite season, such delicious smells, crisp air, and all the color enjoyed daily on walks with dog. The colors coming out of my kiln have been very satisfying as well. I've introduced a few darker grays, and have been enjoying how they round out the collection.

fleeting beauty

So much of the ceramic making process is ethereal yet fleeting. If I was not not in the field, I would never get to see these brief moments of loveliness. For me it’s not the end result that drives and feeds my creativity, it is the process. I feel fortunate that it is the making that I find inspiring. Porcelain transforming through its many stages is my muse.

fresh out of a mould, the edges are raw and sculptural

a stack of greenware bowls, ready to be shaped and cleaned up

one by one I shape the edge

bone dry porcelain is stunning. this is when ceramics is the most fragile, and has to be handled with much care. after this stage, kiln firings begin with bisque.

baby set in ocean blue glaze:
7.5" plate, baby bowl, wee tea cup

thank you ny now

Thank you for another wonderful show, NY NOW. So nice to catch up with repeat customers. I am grateful for all the re-orders and for the new (very exciting) accounts. More on those later. And once again, my neighbors make the five days super fun. Always an inspiration to be surrounded by such talented, kind, and supportive individuals.