I wrote an article recently for Pottery Making Illustrated to be featured in the Sept/Oct issue. View part of it at Ceramic Arts Daily. It's called "Slip and Stick" How to Use Stained Slips and Newsprint to Make Monoprints on Pottery". Enjoy!

Whoa! Thank you Carolina Home and Garden for such a wonderful article. Especially to writer Melanie Bianchi and photographer Naomi Johnson. To read the article click here and to check out the portfolio of images Naomi shot click here.

Here it is June 15th and many months since my last post. As you'll see, if you read any of my updates, my last post was Valentines Day. I was still at Penland planning and beginning the move to Marshall, NC.

Since then:
I've had the pleasure of teaching at the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts in Asheville, NC. I taught a class of 16 one night a week for 9 weeks my techniques of silk screen slip transfers, idea construction, decals, and so much more. Students created such beautiful pieces using the processes I taught with their own influences and imagination.
The class was successful enough to offer it again this Fall. Look for "The Dirt on Surfaces" when Odyssey publishes their late summer classes.

The exhibits at Crimson Laurel Gallery have both been very successful. "Submerging the Bathysphere" with Eleanor Annand I consider to have been a sweet ending to my time at Penland. To have had time to create work with a friend and similar thinker was a real treat. It's not easy collaborating on an entire show, but when all was said and done and CLG owner David Trophia and his partner Deb Karash finished installing it the show took on this wonderful childlike show and tell. Well, at leats in my perspective. The snacks were gummi worms and swedish fish served in paper boats floating along sand coming from a beach bucket. Check out the exhibit by clicking here.

NCECA was in Florida this past year. Low attendance this year especially for being in such a beautiful location. Was nice to go and catch up with friends and meet new people. The road trip with Penland's Clay Coordinator Susan Feagin and Studio Coordinator Simone Travisino was wonderful (other than the fact i didn't know how to drive stick). Just being able to stop, slow down and enjoy the beauty of the south was a treat.

The weeks between Penland and NCECA were a struggle but distracted by the completion of work for Crimson Laurel Gallery allowed me not to become to scared and overwhelmed. This was the first time experience in the real world. I had my breakdowns and freakouts. I had a job lined up but it didn't start till April. The moment I was back from NCECA and the Crimson Laurel exhibit was over I had my first freak out. Financially I had no idea how I was going to be able to do any of this.

Enter a wonderful man named Michael. A man who has pushed me, has given me a shoulder to cry on and to celebrate each accomplishment. This is the first time in my life where I have been able to open my life up to someone else and its been a real gift. The night I broke down he showed up to offer support and we talked over a late night breakfast at Waffle House. I knew that everything would be okay. BUT I can't go on without adding the support from Penland. Not necessarily the school but those who live in the community. The love from particular friends created the foundation of success for this move and relocation. Their belief in me I'll forever be indebted to.

Now, I work at a new restaurant in Asheville called Storm Rhum Bar and Bistro. It felt adequate to begin a new job in which the establishment itself was beginning a new life. Storm opened up mid April and growing within its success has been an inspiration. New work is about to be in progress. I just finished making 285 coffee mugs for Penland's Annual Benefit Auction and currently writing an article for Pottery Making Illustrated to be released this fall. This month I'll be featured in Carolina Home and Garden's summer issue. Look for me in the Handmade section! Click here to check out the photo's :)

In a couple weeks I'll find myself at another amazing craft community, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. I'll be assisting Charlie Cummings workshop with techniques involving digital approaches to clay and ceramics. Should be a blast!

Like my studio page on facebook!! The link is in my menu options.

Nope, no one asked me to be their Valentine.
It's cool though because I took a trip down memory lane on one of my drives
to Marshall to move more studio/house stuff.

I downloaded some songs to take on the road with me.
Maybe you like?

"Heartbreaker" - Mariah Carey
"Caramel" - City High
"Breathe" - Michelle Branch
"I Believe" - Blessid Union of Souls
"All I Have" - Jennifer Lopez & LL Cool J
"Stay" - Lisa Loeb
and how about...
"32 Flavors" - Ani DiFranco

2 weeks left till my 2 years is up... :(

I've been honored and delighted to have been a Penland Core Student. The leaps and bounds not only that my creativity has made, but the lessons that I wasn't prepared for that this experience has given me.

I went right from Western Kentucky University with out finishing my undergraduate degrees to beginning an intense two years at Penland. I did however graduate on time with my class and accomplished assignments afar (thank gawd for the internet and cell service). The first Spring here I was adjusting to a new work regime, new responsibilities, expectations, roommates, coworkers, etc. I didn't know what I was in for, but looking back it was all worth it. The summers were intense, the concentrations (fall and spring) were a much easier pace, and the winters a long period of time to rediscover ourselves and our creativity in the studios.

The next chapter although exciting I'll admit... I'm scared shitless. I'm moving to Marshall, NC where I will both live and work. My studio set-up will be at Marshall High Studios and I'll a share a studio with artist Leslie Hinton. The studio building is a rescued and renovated Public High School on an island in the middle of the French Broad River. Home is less than a 10 minute walk! From my new room I'll hear church bells, loud trains, and the water running from the river. I've already repainted my room and started lugging stuff to Marshall. A bittersweet transition I must say.

Soooooo... To distract myself a bit from all these changes I've been keeping myself occupied. NCECA is around the corner and much activity will be happening this year. I'll be in a small group show with fellow friends Kelly Mckibben Harro, Julie Guyot and Susan Feagin called "Nearest and Dearest" at Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe in Tampa, FL. Also a real fun invitational exhibit at the Embassy Suites put together by LadyBoy Presents called "Room Service".

In a month I'll be exhibiting work with fellow Core Student, Eleanor Annand.

I'll be teaching this spring for the first time in Asheville at The Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts. It's called "Power of the Press: Screen Printing, Newsprint & Clay". Plus, I'll be teaching a weekend workshop outside Philly at Cheltenham Center for the Arts. This workshop is called "Extra Extra! Newsprint Techniques for Ceramic Artists".

Crimson Laurel Gallery has granted me the opportunity to curate an exhibit. I submitted a proposal for a cup exhibit. I'm very thrilled about the exhibit and look forward to seeing it come together. I've never curated an exhibit before involving many other artists. The show is called "Interpreting the Cup: Process, Influence and Intent". Be sure to check out the exhibit line up at Crimson Laurel Gallery for this year. Some great exhibits have been posted.

Here's to the next chapter. Maybe I'll give in and create a blog about this brand new step.

I'd like to end with a little story. I've been thinking about my High School Drill Team Coach, Col. Lloyd. When I first started on the drill team like most people I SUCKED! He put me in a routine where we simply just marched around but in a non traditional marching style. "Fancy" would be the word. Easy? no not at all. Something as simple as walking tall in a straight line with your chest out and having confidence took practice. I didn't know what the hell I was doing. Then I heard in a booming voice from across the field, "BURNETT! YOU COULDN'T EVEN MARCH YOUR WAY OUT OF A WET PAPER BAG WITH A BLOW TORCH AND A MACHETE!" He was right and the laughter from my teammates proved it. I think of that story now everyday when I am getting myself into something new. I'm scared, don't know what I'm necessarily doing, BUT I know I am capable of succeeding. I can step back and laugh at what goes wrong, try again, and keep practicing. That routine later, as well as many others, would win awards and place at competitions.

Till next time.

Winter = Lots of time in the studio = music, music, and music.
I've been interested in finding out what other artists listen to in their studios.
Podcasts and NPR seem to be the primary winner amongst many.
Me? I watch Hulu and Netflix so I can catch up on Dexter, Modern Family, Desperate Housewives, and many more.

In regards to music take a moment to hear what songs I've been listening to (and most likely play on repeat several times):
"Home" by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
"Hit em' Up Style" by Carolina Chocolate Drops
"Something Special" by The Tough Alliance
"Swing Tree" by Discovery
and "Penelope" by Pinback

Back to Modern Family. Isn't it GREAT! Season 2 is just as great as season 1. Anyhow, I'm in love :)

Submerging the Bathysphere
Illustrative Ceramics by Eleanor Annand and Jason Bige Burnett
Crimson Laurel Gallery

APRIL 2 – APRIL 30
Submerging the Bathysphere is an illustrative ceramics exhibit featuring Eleanor Annand and Jason Bige Burnett. These two artists have come together to investigate life at sea through illustrative ceramics. In both form and content they have combined their playful sensibility to create decorative and functional ceramic work.

Eleanor Annand is primarily a printmaker and illustrator. She creates prints with strong central characters that tell tales of exploration, escape, and disguise. These stories evoke folklore of the past and urban legends.

Jason Bige Burnett involves screenprinted and digital printmaking methods into his ceramics. Simultaneously he incorporates pop influenced imagery that is both personal and universal creating a sense of deviancy and play to his ceramic work.

This exhibit will open on April 2, 2011 and will be on display at Crimson Laurel Gallery and online through the end of April.

From the Penland Sketchbook:

Announcing four new core fellows!

It’s always a treat to introduce the next group of incoming core fellowship students, soon to be dazzling us with their creative output, tireless labor, and zany antics. And so, without further ado, here they are:

Bob Biddlestone has just completed a BFA in Ceramics at Ohio University. He apprenticed with several artists/craftsmen prior to and during his undergraduate studies, receiving on-the-job training in glass, clay, cabinetry, and general carpentry. He also spent time in Hungary through the International Ceramics Studio Study Abroad Program. During his time at Ohio, Bob’s work was primarily focused on slip cast ceramics, but he also spent several semesters developing his skills in printmaking and other forms of casting. Bob looks forward to the core program as a chance to experiment in other media (print, wood, iron, glass) so that eventually he can return his focus to ceramics with a broadened perspective of process and material.

Rachel Garceau earned a BFA at Franklin Pierce University in 2003. Her varied work background includes six summers as a props designer for a summer playhouse, manager of the Sharon Arts Center Craft Gallery, and admissions assistant at The MacDowell Colony. Rachel was also an assistant leader for the Walk in Europe program, traveling with a small community through Ireland, France, and Italy. Rachel’s studio focus is in ceramics, and she has lately been experimenting with combining elements of pots and book arts to build and explore containers.

Seth Gould has a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry from Maine College of Art; he graduated in 2009. He has worked all his life in his family’s auto repair shop in Maine, and supported himself throughout college as a commercial fishing first mate and a landscaper/gardener. In 2009 he was an intern on a small organic farm in Siena, Italy, and since early 2010 he has worked as a bench jeweler for a professional goldsmith/designer. Though the metals program at MECA did not offer courses or facilities in blacksmithing, Seth became fascinated with the medium and built his own forge in order to pursue his interest. He has also taken classes at Peters Valley (2007, 2009) and Haystack (2008) to gain more insight and technical acuity in iron. His work concerns itself with form, craftsmanship, and historical homage within a contemporary context.

Jack Mauch graduated from Maine College of Art in 2006 with a BFA in Ceramics. Since then he has worked as a studio assistant and exhibition preparator, and has held two positions at Harvard University: as an exhibition designer (since 2008), and as a Non-resident Tutor of the Arts at Eliot House (since 2007), monitoring the wood shop and working with students and residents. Jack seeks a reconnection with his ceramic practice and will focus on functional pots and atmospheric firing. He also has an interest in developing skills in the wood shop and learning new skills in the iron and metals studios

Congratulations to this exciting new crew! They’ll be arriving sometime near the end of February, and we can’t wait to meet them.

Click here to see the blog post with images.

Finally, a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday spirit! I spent Christmas at Penland in the clay studio putting all the final touches on the "Emerging Clay" work. It was beautiful with all the snow we received!

While back at my ol' kentucky home I've been welcoming the new year with friends and family, planning the move to Marshall, and I've been doing a lot of web surfing.

While web surfing I have gotten to enjoy a lot of great ceramic work being made.
Here, let me share;
Meredith Host
Naomi Cleary
Stephen M Kent
Andrew Gilliatt
Virginia Graham
Jason Hackett
and for those who enjoy great print design:
Mad Pixel Art & Design

Happy 2011 y'all!

It's that time to begin movin' on!

February 25th is when Penland kicks me out. I have decided to continue living in western Northern Carolina in a town called Marshall. It's about 30 minutes north of Asheville and an hour west of Penland. I'll be living and working there and my studio space will be located at Marshall High Studios.

Here's a video about Marshall, NC and Marshall High Studios:
NC Weekend - Video On-Demand - UNC-TV

I'm excited to be sharing a studio space with ceramist Leslie Hinton (who is also exhibiting in the "Emerging Clay" exhibit). I hope to be completely moved in and ready to go come March 1st.

Less then two weeks until Blue Spiral 1's exhibition of "Emerging Clay"!
The artists include:

Jason Bige Burnett
Micah Cain
Lauren Gallaspy
Leslie Hinton
Alex Irvine
Ani Kasten
Noah Riedel
Hunter Stamps

Also, several other shows open that night at Blue Spiral 1 including Margaret Couch Cogswell and her wonderful mixed media sculptures. She just finished her Penland School of Craft Residency.

When I first started the Core Fellowship at Penland several of us carpooled to an exhibit called "Mentor" at Blue Spiral 1. The show featured two artists, Kreh Mellick and Andrew Hayes, who just completed the fellowship. I remember thinking how AWESOME it would be to be on exhibit there when I left Penland.
Dreams are funny.

The opening is Thursday, January 6th. 5-8pm.
Click here for directions.

I can't help but want to dance right now!! It's almost Thanksgiving, my core fellowship obligations FINISHED TODAY, and tonight is an all new episode of GLEE!

Three songs I could lose it too right now:
Amerie "One Thing"
Willow Smith "Whip My Hair"
Rihanna "Only Girl (In The World)"

Enjoy your cranberries!

Received news that the "Cups" exhibit at Lawrence Arts Center in Lawrence, Kansas has SOLD OUT! Congrats to all the participating artists and to Ben Ahlvers who curated the exhibit.

Artists included:
Linda Christianson, Mark Burns, Julia Galloway, Matt Long, Kristin Kieffer,
Sarah Gross, Ted Adler, Pete Pinnell, Robert Brisco, Russ Wrankle, Ben Bates,
Rick Dunn, Julia Galloway, Brad Schwieger, Ted Neal, Jason Bige Burnett,
Mikey Walsh, Deborah Schwartzkopf, Brenda Lichman, Martha Grover,
Victoria Christen, Chris Gustin, Steven Roberts, Kip O’Krongly, Joe Davis, and
Kristin Pavelka

Show is still on display till November 23rd, 2010!

Friend and fellow artist Charlie Cummings will be teaching a workshop this summer at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. The dates are June 26th-July 2nd, 2011. It will be one week of image transfer FUN! I'll be assisting Charlie during this time as I hope to learn some new stuff myself.

Also teaching at Arrowmont this summer is potter Jerilyn Virden. I've had the pleasure of working for Jerilyn during the winters 2009-2011 and took an eight week course that she taught. Jerilyn has also been recently featured in Ceramics Monthly.

A few more shout-outs for Penland peeps...

Past penland core students Suze Lindsay and McKenzie Smith are teaching at Arrowmont this summer as well as current and past residents Amy Tavern, Michael Kline, Shoko Teruyama and Matt Kelleher.

Seriously check out summer workshops. If you've been cravin' for some new ideas or know you're gonna want to get away this summer check out these places:
Penland School of Crafts (summer classes)
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (sneak peak of 2011 classes)
Ox-Bow Summer School of Art

CRAP! Three months left at Penland School of Crafts. I feel like all of this just started! I reread through some of the news articles and reflect back on some of the moments these past 2 years and can't believe what all has happened.

Soon four new students will be here shortly after Mark Warren, Jessica Heikes, Leah Frost and myself leave. It's tough to think about departing this place, but comforting to know all the people and artists who consider Penland a home exist off this mountain. Penland itself is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but exists worldwide. I'm amazed to how many people I have met that haven't been to Penland, but how they know so much about it. It's kinda like a secret that everyone knows about.. make sense?

Okay, so after Thanksgiving I will be living in the clay studio all winter long making stuff for upcoming shows.

What will happen next? I'll be moving back to Louisville, KY for a few months. Hopefully by then I will know If I am going to graduate school or continuing onto residencies. Wish me luck!

I received word today from Blue Spiral 1 Gallery that I will be a part of their 2011 Emerging Clay Exhibit! Blue Spiral 1 Gallery is located in Asheville, NC. The show will portray 8 emerging regional ceramic artists during January 6th - March 26th, 2011. The opening Reception will be the evening of January 6th.

The artists are:
Jason Bige Burnett
Micah Cain
Lauren Gallaspy
Leslie Hinton
Alex Irvine
Ani Kasten
Noah Riedel
Hunter Stamps

To check out more information about Blue Spiral 1 click here.

"Winter Show 2010"
Green Hill Center for NC Art
Greensboro, North Carolina
December 2010

"Via Penland"
Rebus Works
Raleigh, North Carolina
December 3 - January 29, 2011

"Lady Boy Presents: Room Service"
Embassy Suites Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida (NCECA Conference)
April 1st, 2011
7:30-10:30

"Nearest and Dearest"
Ceramics by Julie Guyot, Kelly McKibben Harro, and Jason Bige Burnett
Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe
Tampa, Florida (NCECA Conference)
March 2011

Mayco Booth
Embassy Suites Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida (NCECA Conference)
March 30 - April 2, 2011

"Containment 2: The return of the ceramic box"
Crimson Laurel Gallery
Bakersville, North Carolina
May 1 - June 30, 2011

I can't believe its already here! Core Show 2010!

A trip down Memory Lane....
In fall 2007 I came down to volunteer for a Penland Function with my buddy David Hellman since we had a fall break from school. I was so in love with Penland at the time having partaken in two workshops that summer. Like most people who visit Penland School of Crafts for the first time they're always itching to get back. That weekend David and I volunteered was also the weekend that the school's core fellows had their annual show. I remember the show fondly because of the work.

The following year I decided to apply for Core. Fortunately for me it was fall break again and it just so happened to land on the application due date, AND the 2008 Core Fellowship Show! So my dear friends Brynn Anderson and Matt Barnes joined me for what turned out to be such an enjoyable weekend get-away. About two months later I was with Brynn when Penland contacted me and congratulated me on being selected for their next group of core students.

The 2009 Core Show was my first as a core student. It was remarkable! A wonderful body of work created by nine artists who all focus in a variety of media. Unfortunately the show was not even up for two days. Oh well. Still great though!

The 2010 Core Fellowship Show is currently on display at the Penland Gallery till November 14th. It's a gorgeous show displaying the work of, once again, nine wonderfully talented artists: Jessica Heikes, Leah Frost, Mark Warren, Jason Burnett (me), Daniel Beck, Eleanor Annand, Amanda Thatch, Rosina Saqib, and Ian Henderson. I encourage you to see it if you can. The work ranges between sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, metals, and more.

A little side note.... THANK YOU to all those who give their support and came out to the show's opening reception. Its an incredible night for the Core and you all made it special.

I was asked to participate in the "Cups" exhibit at the Lawrence Arts Center in Lawrence, Kansas. The show is a national invitational representing some of the finest contemporary utilitarian ceramic artists in the country.

Check out information on this exhibit and others here.

Check out the "Line Line Dot Dot" Cup Series I created exclusively for the show here.

THANKS!

My Bourbon and Boy cups were published in Terry Taylor's recent book!
You too can have your very own copy of Stache: Frivolous Facts & Fancies About That Space Between the Nose and Lip.

Yes, I know, the title to this news posting is a bad joke, but can I get some sorta credit for trying? If I was to create a mixed tape...uh-hum CD...for my time out here most likely it would include hits such as "Could It Be Magic", "I Feel Love", "Last Dance", "Hot Stuff", "Bad Girls", and of course "She Works Hard for the Money". Who's gay?

My second summer as a core fellowship student is finished. How does it feel? Bittersweet with a hint of excitement. The summers out here can be very stressful and nonstop. Although crazy, many new friends were made, techniques and materials were discovered, and fun was had by all. Sometimes I felt as if I were Patrick Swayze entertaining our guests at Kellerman's Resort. Students would even refer to me as Julie McCoy from The Love Boat. As the Entertainment Coordinator these past several months I'm very happy to have had the pleasure taking on multiple roles. I'd even say "I had the time of my life"! I am starting to look forward to what's next. What's after Penland? Moving home to Louisville, KY for a few months. This winter I'll be applying to residencies and graduate programs.

The 2010 summer season started off with Kathy King and Paul Andrew Wandless' class titled "Print and Clay Buffet". I'd say that class started the summer off with a huge bang! Many of my friends had signed up and new friendships blossomed. The workshop included a plethora of clay print techniques and an overload of inspiration! The second class I took was an art quilt class taught by Elizabeth Barton in which we learned how to hand dye fabric, piece and quilt non traditional quilts. Shortly after that a special course was offered and taught by artist Christina Schmigel. Schmigel's course was titled "All About the Why". Students in this class, through assignments and experimentation, discovered the understandings and wellsprings of their work. I found out through failure (which can be a great thing apparently) that sometimes I need to ask and tell myself, "WHY NOT"? Last, but not least, was Curtis Bartone's drawing class. II decided to take this class to rediscover the foundations of drawing and introduce somehow into my current work.

It's been a productive summer. Now for the fall.

Last winter David Trophia of Crimson Laurel Gallery offered me an opportunity to exhibit a small works solo show at their gallery located in Bakersville, NC. First off I can't go any further with out sharing my gratitude for the invitation. John Lara and David Trophia, owners of CLG, are two remarkable individuals and I encourage you to read more about them here.

Ceramic Sweets and Small Works was a complete success. The show sold out within the first month. Click here to check out the exhibit.

If you're ever in these neck of the woods please make a point to visit Crimson Laurel Gallery.

We are officially halfway through the Spring 2010 Concentration at Penland School of Crafts and I have much to share!

First I was excited that Tom Bartel came out to visit for Cristina Cordova's workshop focusing on the human figure. Having been Tom's student at Western Kentucky University I was glad to have him here and to catch up. Shortly before his arrival we discussed doing a short newsprint transfers/screen printing demo together. Having worked alongside a mentor was an incredible moment and I hope that it happens again.

After Bartel left I had another date with Cordova's class on more techniques involving newsprint transfers and mono-prints for clay surfaces. Cristina had asked me in the fall to be a visiting artist for her class to demo transfer techniques that would be accessible for her students. What a great time! Her students are incredible and cranking out large amounts of work! I am very grateful to have had that opportunity as it prepares me for my first invite to a college to be a visiting artist for the day. THANK YOU clay students of Western Piedmont Community College, I am looking forward to the trip!

For those of you who know clay probably know about NCECA. For those of you who don't its an incredible conference held annually in different U.S. cities focusing on the education of ceramic arts (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts). This year the conference was located in the charming city Philadelphia.
Galleries are filled with amazing work and the event brings in over 6,000 attendees. I was fortunate to represent Penland and speak about the school and the Core Fellowship program with many individuals. Reconnecting with friends, mentors, and meeting new amazing people is always the highlight for me. The most important feat was to approach graduate programs and residencies and to become educated on post Penland opportunities.

Back to craft camp. The new core students are incredible! Again I am so privileged to be living with amazing individuals. Their talents and personalities shine and are wonderful to be around. Speaking of core students, the spring and fall we have what we call "Core Seminar", a series of meetings in the spring and fall when core students meet with local artists discussing a particular subjects. Last spring, 2009, Devin Burgess met with us and discussed Marketing and Gallery Relationships, Sarah Martin in the fall focused on "context", and currently Amy Tavern has us thinking about "process". The instruction from these artists are very beneficial and so insightful! These occasions cause for us to step back from our work and to understand ourselves as artists/individuals plus mix in professional development.

Its hard to believe that in the mix of all this I am actually in a workshop myself. I'm currently in Tom Spleth's Plaster Mold Making class and challenging myself on making multiple piece molds and some new production techniques. I have ideas for new cups relative to my "Bro-Ches" and "Bourbon and Boy" cups. I'll admit I'm pretty excited about them. I would also like to add that Tom Spleth is an absolute genius and I have developed a small man crush on him. He knows.

Summer is around the corner and I am already prepping for the summer parties. Thats part of my core fellow responsibilities. But first may we get excited about the 2010 Penland Poly prom!!! I'm thinking utopian disco world of tight clothes and vapid happiness very much like the films "Roller Boogie" and "Xanadu". If you're in the area your welcome to partake :)

There's of course more I would like to share, but I must have my limits. Currently I am practicing balance and boundaries and have forced myself to take breaks, to step outside of myself, and to enjoy being at penland and not always be in the studio. I'll tell you how that goes later.

Happy Spring!

It's that time where I have been saying "good bye's" to outgoing Core Students. Wes Stitt left shortly after New Years and today I had to say goodbye to Beth Schaible. I can't tell you all how incredible these two people are and how much more life becomes special knowing them. Today I drove home to Louisville, KY to take time away from the mountain and to see friends and family before Spring Concentration begins. When I return to Penland Marianne Dages and Tina Boy will be departing shortly after. It's going to be interesting saying a final "so long" to my first year as a core student and to turn around and say hello again to a place that I have been at for a year already. Although stuff will remain the same there are many things in store that will be new like responsibilities, students, and memories. If any of you incoming core students stumble upon reading this then I hope you are ready for what will be one of the most incredible times of your life. I would like to welcome the 5 new core students Amanda Thatch, Dan Beck, Ele Annand, Rosina Saqib, and Ian Henderson. We all look forward to your arrival :)

Personal time in the studio is almost at an end. I have been cranking out as much work as I can for shows and coffee mugs for the 2010 Penland Benefit Auction. Speaking of the Auction, if you are interested in coming and can't partake in the events then please volunteer!!! Its a blast and if your interested please contact Penland at auction@penland.org.

In addition to the upcoming eight week concentration with Tom Spleth I can't wait for the summer. My classes this summer consist of art quilt making, printmaking, drawing, mixed media and a highly anticipated workshop called "Print and Clay Buffet" taught by artists Paul Andrew Wandless and Kathy King.

One last thing... I am really tired of snow.

More to come soon...

As of now three shows are coming up!

"Pretty Personal"
February 5th-March 1st, 2010
Carbondale Clay Center located in Carbondale, Colorado

"Containment"
April 1st-June 30th, 2010
Crimson Laurel Gallery located in Bakersville, North Carolina

"Ceramic Sweets and Small Works by Jason Bige Burnett"
July 1st-August 31st, 2010
Crimson Laurel Gallery located in Bakersville, North Carolina

Tonight is the last night of 2009! Another year is complete and DONE!

I have no New Year's Resolutions, BUT I do have a lot going on next year that I am looking forward to. Shall be an exciting year!

Currently I am assisting Jerilyn Virden in her studio and creating new work. The forms, surfaces, images, etc are things that I have played with separately, but now I have the winter time to explore in the studio.
Plus, I will be starting to make Penland School of Crafts Auction benefit coffee mugs for their "Breakfast at The Barnes". This is a morning event during the auction where attendees pick out a mug, have some goodies, and enjoy the Penland Resident Studios. Planning has started for this years Benefit Auction Volunteer t-shirts. They will be silk screened in house this year by myself and several other volunteers. On top of that I've been asked to make work for an online solo show at Crimson Laurel Gallery in Bakersville, NC. For the months of July and August, 2010. Whew...

Upcoming for Spring 2010 is Tom Spleth's workshop. Eight weeks of slip-casting madness!! Wanna now what slip casting is? Here's a video to ease your curious mind: Slip Casting Video.

Penland has posted their summer workshop instructors online here.

Be safe and Happy New Year!

Nothing like listening to the Vince Guaraldi Trio after Thanksgiving. I can't stand most of the Christmas music I hear on the radio and at every retail store you step into or walk by, but this I can listen to.

Winter at Penland... so nice :) Now that the season has ended at Penland I am taking the time to be in the studio and rediscover many of the ideas thought about during my 2009 workshop experience. Click here for a sneak peek of new work!

I am looking forward to getting back in the studio to continue working on new plates for an exhibition at Carbondale Clay Center in Carbondale, Colorado in February, and to begin working with Susan Feagin on 500 mugs that must be made for Penland School of Craft's Benefit Auction in 2010. It will be great to back to the mountain after spending time with friends and family during this time off. I was very fortunate to have been able to make a trip out to Southern Illinois University Carbondale to explore the ceramics graduate program while home. Thank you SIUC Art Dept. for the hospitality and insight!

So for the next news... As core students we come in as groups and rotate. This year five core students will be departing as five more come in. I will have to say that it will be very hard not to have them in the house and working close with them as I have this past year. Many of us will miss them dearly and know that Joshua, Marianne, Wes, Beth, and Tina will all move onto more wonderful things. Those who have had the chance to get to know these individuals know how amazing these people are. It has been a true pleasure to have lived and worked with all of them.

Five new core will be moving in late February, and I know that all of us at the school are excited to meet you all. See you all soon :)

Enjoy the holidays!

Experiencing my first Fall here in the Blue Ridge Mountains has been quite the experience. The landscape and all its glorious colors, the smell of the woodfire kiln from the pottery class, the crisp chilly breeze, and everyone bundling up in layers of clothes is very warming.

I had my first Core Show last weekend, October 9th, and what an event! Months and weeks it took for preparation among the Core Fellows and many tireless staff for a weekend event. The show took place at Penland School of Craft's Gorelick Social Hall and what a site to see. 9 students who work in a variety of materials/media came together and showed what was one of the most diverse, but most coherent shows I have witnessed thus far. Works included mixed media sculpture, prints, books, glass, photography, jewelry, installations, video, and much more. Influence within the group was clearly visible and the show highly reflected on the current Core Students. It lasted less than two days, but ask anyone who saw it they too will tell you what a wonderful show. The weekend also welcomed friends, family, and mentors who we all were able to reunite with. I would like to thank the crits who came out and shared their time with us. Kristina, Rachel, David, Sarah, Bryan, Eileen, Andrew, Amy, and Sue thank you for your insight, support, and sincere generosity that you provided over the weekend. Hope to see everyone out here for Core Show 2010!

As I probably have mentioned in a previous news entry I am taking Jerilyn Virden's workshop on sculptural clay vessels. I've been continuing an exploration and play with transfered screen printed images and decals on my ceramics, hoping to create some sort of relationship between my interests in modern domestic satire, mixed with inspired illustrations from the 50's & 60's. The goal for this class is to study form for these surfaces and to create a balance between the two.
While on the subject of Virden’s class I would like to give a shout out to the two studio assistants. These two ladies are incredible, talented, and hardworking. Thank you both so much Roberta and Courtney!!!
Next weekend is Halloween and almost finished with the event poster! Stay tuned and a lot of new images will be posted from work over the summer!

Oh, and if your just surfing the web check out a favorite site of mine that has a lot of great cupcake/baked goods stuff, Johnny Cupcakes.

Laterz…

The "Bro-Ches" that I made during Elizabeth Turrell's enameling workshop are currently located in the UK at Studio Fusion Gallery on display as part of their annual 'Rising Stars' exhibition.

Studio Fusion is the first applied art gallery in the UK specialising in a contemporary approach to enamel. The exhibition runs from August 13th to September 19th, 2009.

"It must be rough being a core student with all these people coming and going throughout the summer?"

Yes, it is.

Today was the end of my last session for summer 2009. I said my goodbyes to new friends and old, was hesitant on the goodbye hugs, and although I am ready for the fall it is still going to be a bitter sweet goodbye to summer. There is still one more session (7th) till the summer is officially over.

I am excited about my work exploring absence, presence, weight, and longing as well as process and production in regards to conceptual thought. Hopefully images will be posted soon for you to see. To think that this resulted from a letterpress class. I am interested to see if this transfers over to ceramics. Speaking of which as of now I will be in Jerilyn Virden's Fall Concentration focusing on techniques to explore pottery forms as utilitarian and sculptural objects.

The beginning stages for planning our 2009 Core Show have started. If you're in the area October 9th-11th than PLEASE come! I am so honored to be here and to share this experience with my fellow Core that this show will be a very special time.

Thats it for now!

OH! and a shout out to Lola Brooks for a helping make 6th session one to remember, and to Tom Bartel whose about to begin his first semester as a professor at Ohio University.

So much excitement!!!
Its halfway through the 2009 6th Session at Penland, and many great things have been happening here that I wanted to write about.

First I wanna link it up! I would like to share these sites and people with you:

Katherine McCanless Ruffin is teaching the letterpress class. This has been my first formal introduction to Letterpress and it has been an incredible experience using the Vandercook Proof Press #4. The second night of class I was stuck on some ideas and Katherine helped me by suggesting some techniques like Blind Debossing. I wanted to focus on a presence of void. As a core student many students and friends come in and out non stop during the summer, and so I started to think about a lot of people from high school, summer camp, college, so on and so on. Although these people are not around me everyday I still have strong memories of them and wonder..."When will I see you again?"

So here's some links to other letterpress/print stuff:
Boxcar Press
Drive By Press
Cricket Press
Hatch Show Print
Yee-Haw Industries
enjoy!

Michael Lease, whom I mentioned in the previous write-up, sent me some awesome information on an artist I wish I had known about sooner. With current interests and scenarios it makes sense to discover and admire his work now. The artwork of Felix Gonzalez-Torres

Marianne Dages, my fellow core student, has been making some super sweet books. She's extremely talented, her craftsmanship is astounding, and I think You should check out her new work.

The Penland School of Crafts Benefit Auction was very intense. I met many people whose work I have admired, reunited with friends and family, and experienced my first Core Open House. The summer is coming to an end in a couple weeks. The break will be long overdue, but bitter sweet too as I will be saying good bye to my first summer.

There is so much more to say, but i will wait till the next posting.

Session 5, 2009 at Penland School of Crafts is COMPLETE! Whew, long and exhausting, but intense and extremely well worth it.

I took Bonnie O'Connel's "Perf, Cut, Score, Fold" In which we used the Vandercook Proof Press to do all the previously mentioned. I haven't had much training or use of the Vandercook Press, but my next class (and last for this summer) will be an intro into Letterpress. I continued screenprinting cards and pop-ups, and keeping a mind set on production processes. I didn't get my hands as dirty as I would have liked, but what I have walked away with is a big deal. I CAN NOT wait for Fall Concentration!!!

Met this really rad girl who sat next to me in class! Nutmeg Press
...

Meanwhile I met two other amazing people who were there to teach and assist the photography class. Alyssa Salomon and Michael Lease. The work their students created from the class was phenomenal, and to have met and talk to them made for a very enriching experience. Thank you both.

Onto The Penland School of Crafts Annual Benefit Auction. Need to finish preparing for the Core Student Open House this Saturday. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces and to be with my fellow core.

Till next time.

These past two weeks (July 5th-17th) have been eye opening in regards to new interests. I always thought pop-up books & cards were neat, but after Shawn Sheehy's "Language of Pop-Ups" I am much more fond of the craft behind this art form.

I enjoyed the workshop and the direction the work went that I decided tosign up for Bonnie O'Connell's Perf, Cut, Score, Fold. This workshop explores inventive means of incorporating scored, perforated, and die-cut components into edition prints or books to enable pop-ups, fold-outs, shaped pages, or detachable parts. I will also study both commercial and fine art examples and then develop individual projects that combine printing with the interactive, expressive, and sculptural possibilities of paper-engineering techniques. Sounds cool, right? Now I won't have to cut every individual object out with an X-acto knife.

I hope to soon have the work I made in Shawn's class online, but until then enjoy the cups I finished from Ayumi Horie's class.

My break off from a workshop has finished! So much I wanted to do, and there was not enough time at all to do it. Its alright though I had a visit from mom and took a trip into Asheville, NC to stroll through the town with my fellow core, Wes. Stopped into a book store called Malaprops and discovered a lot of great books in the arts/crafts section. Urban Paper was the purchase of choice for the upcoming workshop with Shawn Sheehy. The workshop is about making Pop-Up books and although Urban Paper isn't about Pop-Ups I was still extremely inspired by the graphics and construction in the book.

I then started to think about Cardboard. Here at Penland we have a bunch of cardboard from the supply store and the dining hall. I would love to be resourceful and use these for some sculptural pieces. A friend of mine Matt Barnes has created a lot of pieces out of Cardboard that are pretty much BAD-ASS. Visit his blog if you'd like. He doesn't have those pieces on the blog, but no reason why you can't take a look at his stuff!

Soooooo..... time for a new workshop, new materials, and new explorations. I will say that I am very excited to take this class. Onward to Session 4, 2009.

Second Session is now complete, and third session students are beginning to arrive. Luckily I am off this session to digest all the information and influences that have flooded my mind this past month.

The class I attended was Ayumi Horie's "Make Good Work and Get it Out There". It was a mixture of creating our own work, blended with Ayumi's Demo's, and several spoonfuls of slides and networking know-hows. Pretty rad class!

Prior to class was an eventful day of cleaning and preparing the campus with work-study students. On my cleaning crew was Tim Maddox, a student on scholarship for the Wood Studio. Getting to know Maddox throughout the session was one of the many perks of session 2. We had collaborated for Penland's Scholarship Auction which was a hand made wooden crate made by Tim. I then painted and screen printed graphics on the ends. The Baker here made Cupcakes to put inside that were cakes in the shape of cups. GREAT STUFF! Sooooo...... Now I am extremely interested in taking some wood classes. I am thinking about the Wooden Screens workshop in Spring of 2010. I like the idea of large graphic Screens and mixed media. Hmmmmm..... something to think about.

Also be sure to check these artists:
Arthur Halvorsen: Very talented guy whose work is very beautiful. Take a look!
Ryan Kelly: Discovered this guys work through Ayumi's studio assistant. Really like this guys stuff!!!
Sarah Martin: Resident Artist here at Penland whose work I constantly look at and find influential.

P.S.
Marianne Dages and I have been creating posters together to pump up the 2009 Penland Dances. Here is Session 2's Andy Warhol Factory Party posters here.

Just finished my first summer workshop of the summer and four more to go. I had the opportunity to study under our Penland Core Fellow Director, Leslie Noell, and she taught the class "Musings, Matter, & Cross-Pollination". It was a continuation of graphic imagery for me that I can incorporate into objects similar to that made during Spring Concentration. We worked with traditional and alternative materials and found the most direct path from idea to form. Keeping a scale below 12 inches we created sketches, models, objects, sculpture, and relief imagery. I was able to discover a balance between image and object and discuss how materials and methods of making convey content. I can not wait to see how this carries over into Ayumi Horie's class during session 2.

Also, the studio assistant for Leslie's class, Celia Gray, has some very beautiful work. Please click here to see it for your self.

Tonight as I was sitting with a great friend explaining my roommates here at Penland School of Crafts and how lucky i feel to have them as roommates, coworkers, and friends. Each has a different personality, a fresh approach to their diverse mediums, and an absolute pleasure to live with. I would like to share with you all these individuals who are a huge influence in my life right now.

Joshua Kuensting
Marianne Dages
Wes Stitt
Beth Schaible
Christina Boy
Leah Frost
Jessica Heikes
Mark Warren

I was extremely surprised when I received messages from friends in Louisville about a write up of my work in our local magazine, Leo. Being away at Penland it was nice news to hear about especially coming from home. Thanks everyone again for the support!

Check it out here!

If you are around Louisville May 16th come check out my BFA Thesis Show!!!
Check out the article written in Louisville's Courier Journal here.

When:
May 16th, 2009
Opening Reception from 1pm - 4pm
End date June 13th, 2009

Where:
Gallery Hertz
1253 S. Preston St., Louisville, KY, 40201

Any Questions Contact:
Gallery Hertz
502.635.3727

An incredible time for my first concentration here at Penland. I was in Elizabeth Turrell's enameling class. I have not had experience in enameling or metal work before so the 8 weeks were nice to explore something new. The class was made up of students with a variety of knowledge and experience of the materials so we all learned form each other too.

Meanwhile I have been finishing up classes at Western Kentucky University. For one of my classes I had to create installations this spring (check out my Pink Apron Day photos). Other installations involved cupcake decorating to pursue an interest in peoples interaction and connotations with cupcakes.

One thing that I am very happy to have learned is to balance priorities. With three jobs out here, finishing college, and creating work in the studios it can be quite demanding. If it wasn't for the amazing support and advice of several people out here I don't see how it could have been accomplished.

Looking forward to the summer, seeing friends who come to take classes, the discoveries made in studios, and meeting many new incredible people.

If your interested check out these "BRO-ches" I made from the enameling workshop. Thanks Amy Tavern!

While assisting Israel Davis at IUS I gave a demo on a "print on clay" technique. Brian Harper recorded the video for his students at Indiana University Southeast.

Check It Out!

Lark Books just recently published their 500 Ceramic Sculptures and you can find "Cherry Topper" on page 17!