The Umbels Are Up!

It’s hard to believe in just a few short months; an application, turned into an acception, a sketch turned into a sculpture and now, I have a permanent public art installation in Mariestad Sweden. I’m so grateful for everyone who had a hand in making this happen. And I really look forward to seeing how this installation will change over the seasons. I’ve been trying to imagine the snow cover first, and then the green leaves coming back to the trees in the background of the sculptures and eventually to 12′ tall hops plants that will be planted and flank the Umbel flowers on either side- lots to look forward too! More pics coming to the installation page soon!

The Umbels Are Up! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

And she’s off!

And She's Off! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureYesterday afternoon, my art went out on an adventure! A crate of sculptural parts is on its way to Sweden and I’ll be meeting it on the other side in a few weeks. Fingers crossed that it makes it there ok!

I know I’ve spoken about this before but the pressure of creating installational artwork is always a thrill. I really never know if it will all work out until it has. This installation in Sweden is no exception. I’m shipping all the parts which I hope will arrive ok, then I’m counting on my team in Sweden to help me assemble and install this piece in a place I’ve never been before. I’m also trusting all of my testing and consultations with experts that the clay will be able to survive the winters there. All the moving parts of this project make for a slew of opportunities where everything can go wrong, but that’s all part of the fun!

More to come on this project in a few weeks!

New images from the lichen series are up!

 

These pieces from the Lichen Series haven’t been shown very much, so if you haven’t seen these pieces in my studio, I finally got some good photos of these three trees and they are up on the website now!

The Lichen Series is about new growth from the old, in these pieces the ceramic lichen forms are growing on California black walnut planks that came from a storm fallen tree. The glazed ceramic pieces are inspired by the structures of shelf fungus and have been placed in compositions that follow and enhance the natural grain of the wood. Read more here…

If you’re interested in purchasing them, please contact JCO’s Art Haus in Los Gatos.

 

Making Progress…

I’m so thrilled to be making and installing a permanent sculpture in Mariestad Sweden next month, but it is no easy feat of logistics. I never installed a piece internationally in a place I haven’t been to before while working with people I’ve never met, so it’s exciting and nerve wracking at the same time!

Making Progress... | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

So far, I’ve tackled international shipping rates, logistics of travel, concerns over the clay being in frozen temperatures, crate building (which really the credit goes to my husband Nate for this one), working between the english and metric system, the physics of installing a top heavy sculpture without potential injury to the general public, and oh yeah, making the artwork. When you have to ask questions like, ‘Will the ground be too frozen to dig a hole for the base of the sculpture?’ or ‘Will the wood on my crate make it through customs without an agriculture concern?’ or answer ‘Yes. Yes, I am boiling my clay in a crock pot to test its absorption rate.’ you know you’ve entered a whole new realm of sculpture installation.

All that said, I’m feeling confident that the artwork will look great, that the team I’m working with will be fantastic, and that the logistics will all fall into place. I also think this is a great learning opportunity for me and it’s been fantastic to be able to reach out to my peers and clay colleagues with questions about their own experiences, it makes me realize that we’re all learning as we go and that the challenge is all a part of the fun! Stay tuned, more to come on this art adventure!

New Art Hearts are Restocked!

New Art Hearts are Restocked! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

After nearly going through my entire inventory of Art Hearts at Open Studios this year, I’m slowly restocking the online shop. So if you wanted to get some house warming gifts for the upcoming holidays or just for yourself… get um while they last!

Now back in the shop are Deep Red Winged Hearts and Purple DREAM Hearts in both ornaments and on metal stems.

$20 each

SHOP NOW

New Sculpture Headed for Sweden!

I’m excited to announce that I have been given the opportunity by the city of Mariestad Sweden to create a unique permanent sculpture for their Off Season Art Gardening program! I’m working on creating two large Umbel forms that will tower over head in a park setting, these will be built in a similar style to the ones I made for Sculpture IS: exhibit this year (see photo on right). The flower buds for the new sculptures will be a repetition of the shapes of the metal structure and will be glazed in a rich bright red reminiscent of the color used on many of the buildings in Mariestad. I hope that these pops of bright color will contrast against the greens and blues of the natural landscape. This piece will be installed early December, so stay tuned for more photos!

New Sculpture Headed for Sweden! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

It’s Open Studios Season!

It's Open Studios Season! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture
I may still be in Iceland, but my studio is all ready to go when I return for Open Studio season in Santa Cruz! I can’t wait to see everyone Oct 13 & 14 for opening weekend of North County artists. Make sure to check out the preview exhibit at the Santa Cruz Art League to plan your tour!

Mission Industrial Art Studios will have 13 artists open this year working in everything from glass, painting, metal, ceramics and mixed media – come check us out!

October 13, 14, 20 & 21 | studios open 11 – 5 | Artist #307 in the catalog
2523 C Mission St Santa Cruz | cross street: Swift St

Open Studios Preview Exhibit at SCAL

Plan your tour!

Umbel Series | shop | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureWork by all artists participating in Open Studios will be available for a preview exhibition at the Santa Cruz Art League. Come and meet the artists and preview the amazing work and creativity in Santa Cruz County!

Santa Cruz Art League
526 Broadway in Santa Cruz

Reception for the Artists:
September 30th 3 – 6pm
Exhibition Dates:
September 29th – October 21st