I am thrilled to share that my Studio Visit article has been published in the October issue of Ceramics Monthly. This article is a regular portion of the magazine and features an in depth look into a different artist’s studio life each month. Artists discuss where they work, how they take care of their mind and body, how they market and sell their work as well as advice to younger artists. It is such an honor to be selected especially at such a transitional time in my studio life. Read on here…
I’m so excited for my 12th year participating in the Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour. On typical years it is a huge effort to prepare for this event, but this year, building out the new studio space and getting everything set up has been a monstrous undertaking. But, it’s really starting to come together and I can start to imagine making work in this space.
I hope you can join me on October 8, 9, 15 & 16 from 11 – 5 at the new studio location:
2523 C Mission St Santa Cruz, Artist #228
Keep an eye out for these postcards around town and be sure to pick one up at the Santa Cruz Art League preview exhibit.
For more information about Open Studios visit: Arts Council of SCC
Artist #228
October 8,9, 15 & 16 | 11 – 5
Join us at our NEW LOCATION:
2523 C Mission St Santa Cruz
For more information about the art tour visit:
Arts Council of Santa Cruz County
August is our normal break time from classes and we usually plan an epic trip somewhere but this year, our epic trip will be to the other side of the county! We will be very busy moving the whole studio to our new westside location, so The Dirt will go on hiatus while we move but you can still keep in touch over the next few weeks:
Add yourself to the mailing list so you get updates on reopening of the studio & upcoming classes and events
Follow my Instagram account @JenniWardArt
BUY ART! The online shop is open 24/7 with discounts on the Specimen Series for just a few more days!
Join me August 5th for First Friday at the UCSC Arboretum
Visit my Bone Installation at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts
The specimen series are small wall mounted sculptures inspired by biological specimen collections often seen in museums. They are abstracted version of seeds, fungi, shells and bones made entirely of clay and arranged in an intriguing compositions. Reminiscent of beautifully arranged sushi in bento boxes, these pieces are designed to intrigue. The ceramic boxes create frames which both restrict and enhance the pieces that they contain. The forms in each box have been fused into place through the kiln firing process.
Each box has a simple wire loop on the back and is ready to hang. These pieces are small enough to fit anywhere and bold enough to make a statement in your space. Originally priced at $225, these pieces are now available for $195 through the end of July, browse the available pieces from this series in the online shop.
My Bone Series Wall Installation will be included in the upcoming Reflections | Shadows exhibit at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts in downtown Healdsburg California.
About the show:
The physical aesthetics and conceptual connotations evoked by reflective material or projected dark shapes of shadows may create intriguing design, trick the eye, or distort our view. The exhibit presents artists’ interpretations using these phenomena as design, metaphor, layers of reality, a state of mind or mythology to evoke images of truth and poetry.
The specimen series are small wall mounted sculptures inspired by biological specimen collections often seen in museums. They are abstracted version of seeds, fungi, shells and bones made entirely of clay and arranged in an intriguing compositions. Reminiscent of beautifully arranged sushi in bento boxes, these pieces are designed to intrigue. The ceramic boxes create frames which both restrict and enhance the pieces that they contain. The forms in each box have been fused into place through the kiln firing process.
Each box has a simple wire loop on the back and is ready to hang. These pieces are small enough to fit anywhere and bold enough to make a statement in your space. Originally prices are $225, these pieces are now available for $195 through the end of July, browse the available pieces from this series in the online shop.
I started making these small handheld gems not really sure what I was going to do with them, but I loved how they contrasted to everything else I was making in my studio at the time. They were geometric, angular, brightly colored and very attractive to touch and hold. Once I had a few boxes filled with them, I took them along on a roadtrip to the desert. I thought they might work there as an installation there and I hoped that the color would pop against the desert landscape.
This piece was the result of experimenting with these forms, it was a temporary installation in a rock fissure at Joshua Tree. After seeing them installed, I started thinking about how the land was shaped, with the flow of water and magma creating these organic rock formations. The angled ceramic shapes juxtaposed the smoothness of the rock while the brightly colored pieces contrast the natural tones of the landscape bringing awareness to the negative space of the crack. I imagine that these pieces are like the inside of a geode tucked into a rough outer shell that when cracked open reveal these bright gems; irresistible to touch.
Once the pieces returned to the studio, I decided to find a way to make an indoor installation with them. I was spending a lot of time climbing the walls at Pacific Edge Climbing Gym in Santa Cruz CA and these pieces seemed very appropriate for the space. I was lucky enough to be allowed a temporary installation on one of the few walls that doesn’t have climbing holds on it. This piece was titled the Rock Candy River and is available for purchase.
With the remaining rock candy pieces I had left, I decided to modify them for smaller spaces. I collected driftwood from a local beach and I chose wood pieces that felt like they had been modified by the elements of nature, they all had interesting textures and curves to them. Back in the studio, I matched the rock candy angles to the curves of the wood and made these wall pieces that make it easy to include a bit of nature in your home.
It’s always interesting to see the evolution of a form or a shape that happens to find its way into your studio practice. I love to experiment with each form and see how many places I can take it and whether it will work on a small scale as well as a really large scale, if it needs to be grouped to be visually interesting or if it can hold its own. How each environment that surrounds it can change the feel of the form, from a barren rock to an urban setting. This placement of my work is a huge part of the creative process for me and I hope you enjoy the results.
Ceramic art hearts are the perfect gift for the loves in your life. Each one is hand-made and uniquely designed by sculptor Jenni Ward. They are available on metal stems to add to a plant or bouquet of flowers or as ornaments with twine loops that can slip over a wine bottle for an easy housewarming gift. Seasonal styles are now available in the online shop and are available for wholesale accounts. Check out the Summer 2016 styles…
Wings: Bright red heart with white wings
Seahorses: Turquoise heart with dark seahorse imprint
Coral: Chartreuse toned heart with dark coral imprint
Bubbles: Earth toned heart with bright blue bubble designs
Polka Dots: Brightly colored heart with white dots
SHOP NOW…
A portion of all art heart sales benefit philanthropic arts projects!
NEW! Wholesale accounts welcome, contact Jenni for details!
It’s my favorite opening to attend each year, wandering through the gardens just before sunset, exploring the sculptures and of course the added bonus of tacos! I am always so humbled to be included in this group of talented sculptors. The exhibit is up through October 31st and is free to the public, so go see this amazing show. Here are a few teasers…
Sierra Azul Gardens:
2660 E Lake Ave Watsonville CA
831.763.0939 | Open Daily 9 – 5:30
For more information about this exhibit visit: PVAC Arts
