New Ceramic Work 6/29

So here are my latest pieces. One in progress (teapot), and the rest finished. I am in the process of getting a bunch of pieces done (functional pieces) so that I can try and sell them. I am also still working on my non-functional pieces for my McNair research. See my previous post if you would like to know what I have been doing.

My first attempt at Saggar firing. A saggar is a vessel the pot is put into along with materials that will stain the burnished surface of a pot.

This is one of my non-funcitional pieces glazed and raku fired.

This is a Tromp l'oeil piece that I slab built.

Another non-functional piece that I used to test a glaze.

Above and below: A teapot with a lid that doubles as a teacup.

I have an issue with control and with symmetry. So I was trying to let go of this to try and free myself a little. There are actually four pieces that make up this pot. It was raku fired as well which is very unpredictable and difficult to control. I don't know how successful I was at relinquishing control but the piece turned out nice.

More ceramic works in progress.

So I am working on the idea of functionality in ceramics. Traditional pottery is well, traditionally functional in some way. Ceramics has also been pegged more as craft rather than art. I am exploring the idea: if the functionality is removed from a traditional piece of pottery does it become more than craft? Tell me what you think. If I use it in my thesis I will give you credit.

New Ceramic Work

Nuts and Bolts #6

My last painting in the series. I think I am ready to move on to something else. Anyway here is the last one. I think it turned out pretty good.

Nuts and Bolts #6

Nuts and Bolts #5

So I have decided to name all of my newest paintings Nuts and Bolts. Not much of a stretch on the imagination. Here is #5.

Two Completed Paintings

I actually completed two more paintings. I framed them and everything. Only 6 more to finish before the end of the semester. Luckily I have all of them started and some of them are almost done. Just a little more tweaking here and there. Enjoy. Or not.

Works in progress

Some mugs that I finished the other day.

A few paintings that I am working on.

My Latest Paintings

Thought I would finally post my last two paintings. I had to wait 'til this last week as they were to be given as gifts and I had not yet shown them to the recipients (these recipients on occasion check my blog). Do not think that my generosity is exclusive to the recipients, nor does it apply to all of you who may feel that as a relative or acquaintance you merit a finely crafted original Jon Harty painting.

First and foremost, these were assignments for a class and because of a lack of storage space and funds they were given as gifts. The worthiness of the recipients is questionable (just kidding Mom and Shannon), but I am poor and since necessity is the mother of invention... To those of you who have not yet been blessed with a piece of artwork — don't give up hope.

Eventually the mood will strike me and I will come through. Keep in mind that I am a procrastinator and will put off anything that does not affect me physically or academically (sometimes even that does not stop me) so years could pass before you get anything. Clif - send me some pictures of the boys and I will start the procrastination process for you.

Grandpa Francis

My Grandpa Francis' D8H

Its Just a TV Show!

I have a guilty pleasure and it is called Stargate SG-1. Over the years I have watched an episode here and there but was never truly hooked. At the end of last year, during the Christmas break, I started to watch the show from the beginning on Hulu.com. After a couple of pretty cheesy seasons and mediocre acting I became hooked on the show. I have learned the characters names and if someone says Goa'uld or Teal’c I know exactly what they are talking about. I do not however learn or try to remember the technical terms and intricacies that accompany a science fiction series, nor do I care about them. I watch the show because it is good entertainment, albeit pretty goofy most of the time. I enjoy the goofiness and love it that McGyver (Richard Dean Anderson) is the star. I am still waiting for an episode where he is McGyver in some alternate universe.

Stargate SG-1 is not the only science fiction series I enjoy watching. Some others are: Star Trek and all of it’s spin-offs (except Enterprise, I never could get past the opening theme music), Battlestar Gallactica, Farscape, and Firefly (LOVED the movie as well). As most of you know one of these sci-fi series’ has quite a large and loyal (and sometimes extremely obsessive) fan base that goes back for many years. I did not however realize how obsessive the fans of SG-1 have become. The following are quotes from a discussion board about SG-1. Fan 1: “Doesn't it seem that it is not right to open the people of Tegrea up to the Goa'uld again?” Fan 2: “It's the only way they can get home, the people on the planet can always bury the gate again after the earth people use it.” Fan 3 “I think, too, with them having interesting technology, earth would have their back if they get attacked. It'll be a relationship among the planets, … so it's not like they went behind their backs or against their wishes.” Does anyone out there besides me have a problem with this? I am embarrassed that these fans are out there. Don’t they have anything better to do than immerse themselves so fully in a TV show, I repeat TV show, to the point that it becomes real? To quote William Shatner on Saturday Night Live “Get a life will ya people? For crying out loud its just a tv show”. I am sure there is a group out there at a university somewhere sitting around a cafeteria table speaking Goa'uld instead of Klingon (Watch out trekkies your fan clubs have some competition) and dressing like Jaffa. Is there therapy out there for these people? Because they need help, professional help.

Hi my name is Jon and I am a Stargate SG-1 addict (that is NOT me below, I am not quite there yet).

Caprica - I'm waiting...and waiting...and waiting...

Caprica is the new series that attempts to rebirth yet another Battlestar Galactica saga. It focuses on the Graystones and the Adamas and the creation of the uber-bad mechanical cylons. The potential for a new epic science fiction saga is there, yet an ignominiously painful wait is ahead for anyone interested in the action and excitement that was the bread and butter of the first two series. One cylon has made an appearance so far and is disappointingly inhabited by the digital version of Zoe Graystone, the dead teenage daughter of Daniel Graystone, CEO of a Caprican conglomerate. The Adamas are pseudo criminals, and so far the worst crimes they have committed have been breaking windows and playing hookie. Caprica seems well written and is well acted, but now on episode five has yet to put out. It seems instead to have turned into a rather boring primetime spacey soap opera. I don't know how much more teen angst and family drama I can suffer through before cylons start annihilating Capricans. I was looking forward to this series but as the weeks have past I have been left napping and wondering when Luke and Laura are going to make a surprise appearance.