the outside scoop: 17

This week, outside the studio…

the outside scoop: 17 | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture
got another Bay Area Ridge Trail checked off the list and after a 9+ mile hike, we treated ourselves to some amazing sandwiches at Dad’s Luncheonette in Half Moon Bay
the outside scoop: 17 | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture
as training for an upcoming backpacking trip we’ll be doing later this spring in wet conditions, we took advantage of the rainy day and hiked up the creek in Nisene Marks sometimes getting into thigh deep waters, it is one of my absolute favorite spots in our area and even though we were cold and soaked, we had such a fun day in the woods

The Outside Scoop is a weekly blog series that shares a little bit of what’s going on in my life outside of the studio. Please feel free to leave comments, I look forward to chatting with you here!

Featured Art: Specimen Series

THERE IS ONLY ONE LEFT IN THE SHOP!

jenni ward ceramic sculpture | specimen series

I love this little set, it reminds me of lacquered bento boxes with bright red chilies sitting in them and this 3 box set is the last of the series. The Specimen Series started when my collection of bones, shells, seed pods, feathers and other nature bits started piling up in my studio. Every hike, I’d come home with something else to add to the collection. So of course these ideas translated into clay and I started making little clay boxes and filling them with weird little forms that reminded me of all of my collected nature bits.

Each box will sit up on edge or can be hung on the wall arranged vertically or horizontally. This set is on sale for only $200 in the online shop but would make a really colorful addition to a small corner of your home. Shipping within the US or local pick up available. SHOP NOW

The Outside Scoop: 16

This week, outside the studio…

had fun exploring the king tides and eating urchins – check out how that mussel is hanging on!
got to explore the beach cave with the tides out so low
i took advantage of the free community days at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, easy to find inspiration here
these deep sea comb jellies are pretty amazing

The Outside Scoop is a weekly blog series that shares a little bit of what’s going on in my life outside of the studio. Please feel free to leave comments, I look forward to chatting with you here!

Featured Art: Urchin Holes

Bodies of Water Exhibit | Shop | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

After spending some time exploring the tide pools during our recent King Tides, I had to bring these Urchins Hole sculptures back into the spotlight. They were inspired by the sea urchins natural homes of holes in mudstone rocks visible at very low tides. The holes are actually formed by the urchins themselves, who bite away at the rock with their teeth and slowly sculpt their protected home around them. 

The urchins are hand built, with perforated flanges of very thin, nearly translucent porcelain that are fused to a stoneware ring as it’s protector. The stoneware has a red iron oxide wash on it making them appear to be made of metal instead of clay. Each piece balances on rubber bumps to make sure they don’t scratch your surfaces. And they can be easily cleaned by running them under the tap – check out this video about cleaning your art. All of these pieces are available for shipping within the US or chose local pick up at checkout.

Check out the last four available in the online shop!

NEW Trinket Necklaces in the SHOP!

Trinket Necklace on Display | shop | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

ONLY 6 LEFT!

This limited series of Trinket Necklaces on Display boards debuted at Open Studios this past fall and the remaining pieces are now available in the shop. These thoughtfully crafted pieces made by sculptor Jamie Abbott and myself each come with their own display board so when you’re not wearing them, they can hang like small wall sculptures. Valentines Day is coming and these make great gifts for your sweetheart!

SHOP NOW

the outside scoop: 15

This week, outside the studio…

if you live in california, you get it, this is apparently our new normal. for those of you not in california…
mudslides, flooding, power outages and huge storm surge has been going on for days with no signs of ending but at least we’re relieving our drought status
even urban hikes are hard to do these days, stay safe, warm and dry everyone
the outside scoop: 15 | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture
Had to make Bowie a raincoat, luckily he doesn’t mind it too much

The Outside Scoop is a weekly blog series that shares a little bit of what’s going on in my life outside of the studio. Please feel free to leave comments, I look forward to chatting with you here!

Article Share: Don’t ‘get’ art? You might be looking at it wrong

I came across this gem of an article on the NPR app and thought it would be great to share with you all. I really liked their idea of taking the pressure off of trying to see the whole museum on one visit and instead, taking your time to see a collection or a new exhibit. Also great tips for how to look at and appreciate art that you might just as easily dismiss. Let me know your thoughts….

Many of us would love to have this kind of deep connection when we look at a painting or sculpture, but it can be challenging. Art can feel inaccessible, as if it can only be interpreted by those who know a ton about the subject. And museums can be overwhelming. With thousands of pieces in a collection, how do you know which to focus on? And once you see a piece you like, how do you interact with it?

read full article here

Malaka Gharib/ NPR

Featured Art: Relic Series

Help me make room in the studio for more art!

There are 3 huge Relic Series pieces that are not in the online shop but they are available for pickup! They would look amazing in a zen garden space, accompanying a water feature or nestled into a mossy shade garden. Loops of hand-built stoneware are tied together with sinew and have an red iron wash finish on them giving the surface a metallic look.

They are each approximately 36″ long by 24″ high and about 16″ deep, they have slate stone bases and are all suitable for outdoor display. Make an appointment to come by the studio to see them in person, they are priced at $1200 each or $3000 for all three -that’s a huge savings and a great deal! If you need them shipped, I’d be happy to get a quote for you. Also a reminder that there are still 3 mini Relic Series pieces that are in the online shop if you need a smaller version for your space.

Click here to see this original ephemeral installation of these pieces!

Featured Art: Art Hearts

Art Hearts | shop | Earth Art Studio

Thorny Art Heart ornaments left in the online shop and they are on SALE!

Give your sweetheart something special this Valentines Day with a handmade heart ornament. Only 3 left!

SHOP NOW

outside scoop: 14

This week, outside the studio…

Bowie turned 2 on December 15th, so I took him to his own private beach to run and run and run until he couldn’t run anymore
sunsets at the studio can be pretty amazing sometimes, got the bonus of this owl sitting on the wire
A very urban Bay Area Ridge Trail hike, under 580 freeway and through neighborhoods, but we did still spy two coyotes
We spotted this meadow from an opposing ridge and wanted to try to find it, was fun working on our navigation skills to make it here.
One of my favorite Bay Area Ridge Trail hikes to date, this one was above Pacifica and one of the few places where you can see the bay on one side of the ridge and the Pacific on the other, there was also a lot of historical and military features on this hike.

The Outside Scoop is a weekly blog series that shares a little bit of what’s going on in my life outside of the studio. Please feel free to leave comments, I look forward to chatting with you here!