Elm Studios :: Artist Ericka O'Rourke

saying goodbye to elm studios

2011-05-08T11:16:00.001-04:00

Yes, things have been very quiet here on the creative front . . . by now, if you know or follow my work at all, you know something is up . . . After over 7 years of trying to dissolve a corporation that was formed over 20 years ago (before LLCs were around) as my commercial freelance illustration company, the inc. has finally been laid to rest. I realize very well that this is not something that people want to do from a business standpoint...I have been known as elm studios for a very long time...way back when elm was actually my intials ;) . . . but artistically I have felt very disconnected from that name for some time. That combined with the fact that what should have been a simple "pay my accountant $500 and dissolve the company legally and open my LLC", has now turned into a 7 year logistical nightmare and over $6000 in payments later because of an accountant who never did what he was supposed to do, followed by my wonderful state losing checks and paperwork. Elm Studios was a black cloud hanging over me and you cannot simply open an LLC with the same name...the state won't allow it. So now, crawling out from under my pile of paperwork, taxes, and boring new business obligations, I am taking a leap of faith and going forth . . . You can find me at my new home . . . Tierra Sky from now on . . . I feel liberated, renewed, inspired and looking forward to many creative years ahead . . . xo

rebirth

2011-04-28T19:50:00.000-04:00

Almost back to life . . . almost . . .

A Peek at my Winter White Pottery . . .

2011-02-07T12:20:00.000-05:00

My Winter White Pottery is available! Inspired by the pristine soft folds, drifts, and glistening light of freshly fallen snow. . . these bowls have a beautiful organic feel. Each one has its own defining characteristics, so no two are alike. Just delivered a nice assortment to the Artful Deposit in Bordentown City, NJ in time for the Winter Gala this Saturday February 12th . . . Hope to see you there!

Saturday, February 12, 2011 1-7pm
201 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown City, NJ 08505

JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FINE ART AND FUN

• Celebrating 25 Years of The Artful Deposit Gallery
• Premiering our New Exhibition Space
• Live Ice Sculpting by Guest Artist, John Pierce at 2:00pm
• New Winter works by Gallery Represented Artists

•Save the Date — June 18th, 2011
“Twenty Five Years of the Artful Deposit Gallery”
at Ellarslie Mansion, The Trenton City Museum

Etsy Mud Team Pitcher Yourself Challenge

2011-01-15T18:18:00.000-05:00

The latest Etsy Mud Team challenge is on! Please take a minute to check out and cast your vote for one of the amazing works created by my fellow Etsy Mud Team Members for the Pitcher Yourself Contest! No registration required! Thanks! For your vote you will receive a 20% off coupon code via e-mail that can be redeemed at many of the EMT shops...see link for details!

Lavinia Hanachiuc
Visit Etsy Store:
http://almapottery.etsy.com

Kristin Love
Visit Etsy Store:
http://loveartworks.etsy.com

Charan Sachar
Visit Etsy Store:
http://Creativewithclay.etsy.com

Winter Gala Group Show

2011-01-13T13:56:00.003-05:00


"Winter Gala" Photograph © Ericka O'Rourke

Please Join me at this upcoming show . . .

featuring my new series of Winter White Ceramics!

Saturday, February 12, 2011 1-7pm
201 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown City, NJ 08505

JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FINE ART AND FUN
• Celebrating 25 Years of The Artful Deposit Gallery
• Premiering our New Exhibition Space
• Live Ice Sculpting by Guest Artist, John Pierce at 2:00pm
• New Winter works by Gallery Represented Artists

www.theartfuldeposit.com
Dining Reservations www.downtownbordentown.com
blog: www.artfuldeposit.blogspot.com
email: artfuldeposit@gmail.com

• Save the Date — June 18th, 2011
“Twenty Five Years of the Artful Deposit Gallery”
at Ellarslie Mansion, The Trenton City Museum

"Winter Gala" Photograph by Ericka O'Rourke taken in Allentown NJ on Conine's Mill Pond, will be available as a S&N Limited Edition Print at the gallery.

Winter Walk Vignette

2011-01-07T23:51:00.000-05:00

Some pics from my morning exploring Upper Freehold and Assunpink Wildlife Management Area...(Clockwise) pellet holes in an old drum, cattails, three horses in Upper Freehold, NJ, Guardrail. Full pics can be seen at my flickr!

New Years Wishes to All!

2010-12-31T09:27:00.000-05:00

Here is to a very happy, healthy, and very creative 2011! It has been a wonderful year and I can't believe it is already at an end . . . Enjoy!

Treasury featuring my pottery bowl Curated by Ayawedding . . . Thanks!

New Goodies in time for the Holidays!

2010-12-14T21:03:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the holiday season! I am getting pretty low on inventory here, but I did manage to deliver a batch of new pieces to the Artful Deposit in Bordentown City NJ (the pics above are there). Stop in for a last minute gift! And if you haven't checked out my work in the current ceramic exhibit at the Trenton City Museum at the Ellarslie Mansion, the show is up through the New Year. It is a really great show featuring an amazing assortment of ceramicists. I highly recommend it taking the ride over to see it.

Treasury Thanks!

2010-12-10T11:27:00.000-05:00

curated by rewelliot

curated by GlimmeringGems

curated by Allybeans

Thank you for all the beautiful Treasuries!

Ellarslie Mansion Ceramics Invitational Show

2010-11-14T10:42:00.004-05:00

Standing in front of my work

Detail from "Rebirth" by Lisa Naples

"She Thought She Knew...So...She Kept A Watchful Eye" (back view) by Lisa Naples

What a great show and such an honor to be included with so many talented artists! The show will be up through January 2nd, 2011, so if you get a chance check it out...Gallery info, hours and directions can be found here....For more pics from the show, you can check out my flickr set here....

The Trenton City Museum at the Ellarslie Mansion also has on display a collection of early pottery from Trenton. For more than 100 years, Trenton, New Jersey was one of the two major pottery centers in the United States the other being located at East Liverpool, Ohio. At its peak in the 1920's, Trenton had more than fifty potteries operating throughout the City. Since 1850, more than 150 companies have operated in Trenton.

It was great to see such an array of contemporary ceramic works fill the first floor of the mansion and then to be able to go upstairs and to so much of the early pottery roots of the area. Read more about Trenton New Jersey's Pottery history .

Ellarslie Museum First Ceramics Invitational Exhibit

2010-11-07T08:54:00.001-05:00

Please Join Me for the
Ceramics Invitational Exhibit
Opening Reception

The Trenton City Museum
Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park
Trenton, New Jersey

Saturday, November 13, 2010
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Members and artists only
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

On exhibit November 13 - January 2, 2011

Museum Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Municipal Holidays
Visit www.ellarslie.org for more information and directions.

The Trenton City Museum, located in Ellarslie Mansion in the heart of Cadwalader Park in Trenton, New Jersey, does not have a street address. To find us using a mapping program, use 299 Parkside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618. From Parkside Avenue, turn into Cadwalader Park and follow the signs to Ellarslie, The Trenton City Museum.

Earth Art Series: Hope 2010

2010-10-25T09:27:00.000-04:00

Hope 2010 by Ericka O'Rourke

14" x 14" including frame

Earth Art Series

Mixed - Stoneware clay, wood, recycled glass, copper, and found natural objects

This piece will be included in the upcoming
Ceramics Invitational Exhibition at the Ellarslie Mansion - Trenton City Museum

Featured in this Amazing Treasury . . . TWICE!

2010-10-17T21:33:00.000-04:00

I am so honored to be featured in this great treasury, not once, but twice!!! Thank you to ZiBagz for putting this together! There have been so many great Treasuries that I have been featured in lately! See a sampling below... Thanks to everyone!!!

from the Earth by ZiBagz

Smolder by riversongrapture

The Banshee's Wail: An Irish Ghost Story by LovelyTiffy

Black and Tan Winter by Laughingdogstudio

Around the World by fivelittlegems

comfy, cozy, rustic, textural...by PulpandPaisley

Earth Art Series Ravine II 2010

2010-10-14T23:25:00.003-04:00

Ravine II 2010 by Ericka O'Rourke

14" x 14" including frame

Earth Art Series

Mixed - Stoneware clay, wood, recycled glass, copper, and found natural objects

This piece will be included in the upcoming
Ceramics Invitational Exhibition at the Ellarslie Mansion - Trenton City Museum

Earth Art Series :: Clay Paintings

2010-10-12T17:14:00.000-04:00

My Earth Art Series represents my personal and spiritual connection, birth, life and creation with the Earth. Just as a fossil holds the remains or impression of a prehistoric living organism preserved in petrified form, the fired clay preserves the marks that I create with my hands and natural objects. Unlike any other medium, working with clay, evokes a deep sense of antiquity and natural connection for me. The words that are incorporated into many of the works are representative of my distant past human connection. They are moments, events and thoughts that have shaped my existence.

Autumn Inspired Pottery at The Artful Deposit!

2010-09-29T22:15:00.000-04:00

Just a sample of some of the new autumn inspired work that I delivered to the Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown NJ today! Bordentown is hosting their annual Cranberry Festival this weekend October 2nd and 3rd, so if you are looking for something to do, it should be fun!

Starry Starry Night

2010-09-20T19:43:00.001-04:00

This is a fun but challenging photo imaging job I am currently working on for Random House Publishing. The original photo is on the left . . . I added the clothes and night sky. Still a work in progress, but I think it is rather successful so far!

Beautiful Treasuries!

2010-09-13T22:36:00.000-04:00


Sapphire Moon Treasury by CLoVeN

Earth • Air • Fire • Water by DarkFaerie

Thank you for creating these treasuries featuring my pottery!

Ericka

Summer Inspiration . . .

2010-09-09T11:04:00.002-04:00

Yes . . . . . . . . I have been on summer vacation, mentally, physically, and technologically . . . I am trying to get my internal creative clock, which prefers to operate on night hours ready for the undesired but obligatory early rise that must begin in a few more days. It is bittersweet. I am more than ready to be able to spend uninterrupted time in the studio and feel autumn's breeze (a little rain would be nice too). . . but I am not completely ready yet for the daily grind of lunch prep, homework, and forcing myself to get to bed at a reasonable hour, so I can keep it up. It has been a wonderful summer outside of the weather though. After recharging my inspiration lakeside at a beautiful log cabin in Maine, I received news of acceptance into the The Trenton City Museum at the Ellarslie Mansion's first Ceramics Invitational Selected Artists Exhibtion.
I will displaying 3 of my clay paintings as well as a bowl in the exhibit . . .
The exhibition will run this fall from
November 13, 2010 – January 2, 2011
Opening reception November 13 ~ 7-9 pm
Hope to see you at the opening!
Ericka

Branch Lake, Ellsworth, Maine

Our cabin . . .

Tidepool inspiration

An awesome visit with Mark Bell in Blue Hill!

Beautiful evening meditation . . .

Amazing lichen found off Parker Point, Blue Hill . . .

If you are observant, you may see this exact texture in some of my upcoming work and jewelry!

First time I ever had these yummy Maine currants . . . from the Blue Hill Co-Op.

They look like pearls!

All Things Jane: Blog Feature

2010-07-30T09:42:00.000-04:00

Check out this beautiful collection and blog All Things Jane featuring my leaf impressed slab formed dish. It is a wonderful blog that focuses on practical creativity, organic living, and space-creating simplicity.

Image Credits:

1. Art Deco Table Lamp from Target

2. Fillable Glass Table Lamps from Lamps Plus (spotted on Completely Coastal)

3. Rioja Bowl from Crate&Barrel

4. Linocut Print from thebigharumph

5. Marble Magnets from sideproject

6. Throw Pillow from wickedmint

7. Tin Recipe Box from kotibeth

8. The Crafty Silver Fox from dearcolleen

9. Porcelain Dish from elmstudios

Inspiration Treasury!

2010-07-29T20:40:00.002-04:00

This is a beautiful treasury featuring my deep sea porcelain wheel thrown bowl...thank you! I have been very busy soaking up my share of inspiration in Maine, one of my favorite places to travel. I have also been spending the summer taking a few metalsmithing classes...I have been wanting to incorporate my ceramics and fine art with more metals for some time now...so I am very excited to start creating some new work!

Cobwebs Treasury on Etsy

2010-06-30T21:35:00.000-04:00

Red, White and Blue

2010-06-28T20:17:00.000-04:00

New work at the Artful Deposit Gallery.
Red, White and Blue platter approx 13" x 18".

new tea bowl/mug design

2010-06-13T15:39:00.001-04:00

I am working on a new design for a cup that is a combination of a tea bowl, bowl, and mug. It starts off being thrown on the wheel as a traditional tea bowl style, and is hand altered afterword, with comfortable areas for sipping and indentations as well as a nicely trimmed and notched foot ring to make this really nice to hold and sip from. The addition of a handle with plenty of knuckle room so it can be held other ways as well as a complimenting saucer complete the piece...look for these soon in the online shop....

Day Lily Afternoon

2010-06-12T23:51:00.003-04:00

The beautiful orange day lilies are in full bloom in the wetlands right now...Here are some pics of Day Lilies (Hemerocallis fulva) that I collected and sauteed. So beautiful and tasty too! They taste great raw too, but these were delicious sauteed in a little olive oil with garlic and fresh herbs. Click here for more info on harvesting and cooking Day Lilies.

Listen

2010-05-23T12:41:00.000-04:00

"Listen"

by Ericka O'Rourke

2010

20" x 24"

Mixed Media on gallery wrapped canvas

Currently available at the Allentown Art Guild's

group show "New Beginnings" at Laurita Winery.

detail

AAG Group Show: New Beginnings Opening!

2010-05-21T17:00:00.002-04:00

"Every day is a fresh beginning, Every morn is the world made new"

Begin again. Take a deep breath and set your eyes to the horizon. Anything is possible.

The Allentown Art Guild, in collaboration with the Laurita Winery, invites you to attend New Beginnings, an exhibition featuring works by the multi-talented members of the Allentown Art Guild. The exhibiting artists reflect a wide range of styles: non-representational abstract, impressionism, realism, and expressionism, and a wide variety of subject matter with New Beginnings being the common theme.

The public is invited to the opening reception on Sunday, May 23, 2010, from 2-5 pm at the Laurita Winery, 35 Archertown Road in New Egypt, New Jersey. There is no charge for admission for this event and RSVP is not necessary. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The art work will be on display from May 23rd thru September 19th, 2010.

The Allentown Art Guild is comprised of 25 plus members – full-time and part-time artists from the Allentown, Cream Ridge, Perrineville, Roosevelt and East Windsor areas. Since the Guild was formed as a non-profit organization just over three years ago, it has made tremendous strides in appreciation of the arts in the community.

The Guild holds monthly meetings that include workshops, demonstrations and lectures by distinguished artists from New Jersey. The public is invited to attend many of these events since it is the Guild’s goal to encourage art appreciation in our community as well as to encourage artistic growth among its members.

Information about the exhibit, monthly Guild activities or information on how to become a member can be found on the Guild web site at:
http://www.allentownartguild.org

Nestled in a natural setting that invites visitors to return again and again, not only for its wine, but for its natural and architectural beauty, the Laurita Winery is a unique destination featuring beautiful vineyards, trails to explore, spacious patios and private wine tasting rooms. Co-owners Randy Johnson and Ray Shea designed Laurita to be guest friendly as well as environmentally friendly, to the greatest extent possible.
“I estimate that about 60 percent of Laurita Winery is made from recycled or salvaged material”, says co-owner Randy Johnson. The uniqueness of Laurita Winery can only be compared to the wines the venue produces. Old world vision meets state of the art architecture and agriculture at Laurita Winery.

The hours for visiting Laurita Winery, 35 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ, are Monday, Thursday & Friday, Noon to Sunset. Saturday & Sunday, 11:30 am to Sunset. The winery is closed Tuesday & Wednesday.

For more information about Laurita Winery, visit http://www.lauritawinery.com or call 1-800-LAURITA or (609) 758-8000.

new works on clay

2010-04-24T10:59:00.000-04:00

"Unnatural Detachment"

mixed media on stoneware clay

12" x 12" plus gold-leaf frame

"Continuum"

mixed media on stoneware clay

12" x 12" plus gold-leaf frame

Now at the Artful Deposit in Bordentown, NJ

Skyler Faerie Portrait by Elise Hollandsworth Hartmann - Vegan Artist

2010-04-13T10:31:00.000-04:00

This is a portrait of my daughter Skyler that I commissioned my wonderful artist friend Elise to create as a present for Skyler for her 7th birthday coming up. You can see more of her amazing work at her website www.darkfaeriecreations.com

West Comes East

2010-04-07T21:55:00.002-04:00

Dropped off some new ceramic pieces today at the Artful Deposit in anticipation of their upcoming West Comes East exhibit which runs from May 1st - June 6th 2010 — Opening Reception Saturday May 1st from 6-9 pm. One of the new pieces is this very large 16" handcarved slab formed bowl which I love...It reminds me of the patina on aged copper...I will be experimenting more with this glaze and color variations of it....Also next week I should be bringing in some clay paintings in as well...

Allentown Garden Club Gala

2010-04-02T10:01:00.001-04:00

Finally, spring is here and my hands are at conflict whether to play with the earth outside or in the studio...it is a good fight to have after the rain...

Please stop in and join me Saturday April 10th from 5-7 for a wine and cheese reception at Necessities for the Heart in Allentown New Jersey.

This spring, I donated an original 24" x 30" oil painting of an Iris germanica, "Sweeter Than Wine"..as a fund raiser for the Allentown Garden Club. During the social, the painting will be on display and available for purchase.

It promises to be a wonderfully attended event, with Gardeners from all over the tri-state area. Please be sure to attend.

Date: April 10th, Saturday
Time: 5 PM to 7 PM
Where: Imlay House at 28 South Main Street, Historic Allentown (609) 208 1198

Door prizes donated from Necessities for the Heart

Hope to see you!

Ericka

homemade pasta for a rainy day!

2010-03-31T10:33:00.000-04:00

This was a trial color run for homemade pasta for Easter...I wish I had done this for Sky's tie dye birthday last spring! It is much yummier than it looks, at least to adults. We divided our dough into 4 parts, left one plain, and used a tiny amount of gel colors for the rest...one rose, one yellow, and one blue...sandwiched them together, and let the pasta roller do the rest of the blending! More pics and info are on my flickr site.

new work...

2010-03-14T15:15:00.001-04:00

The new work coming out from my kiln has been light mainly in part to creative experiments that did not come out as I would have liked...trying many new glazes and techniques can be a long and often disappointing process, but if you get that one piece that you love, it is all worth it...These are some that passed, and will be up for sale shortly.

Front Page!

2010-03-07T11:27:00.002-05:00

So rare to get the front page anymore! But what a beautiful Treasury including my copper sage yunomi! Thanks Julie!

Stunning Photography

2010-03-04T09:31:00.001-05:00

A stunning image of one of my tea bowls photographed by Geekgirl. Thanks so much Stacy...I hope you are enjoying your new tea bowl...

Portals: Art Exhibit at Laurita Winery Opening

2010-02-07T11:31:00.000-05:00

Off to the opening reception today at Lauria Winery! 2-5pm 35 Archertown Rd New Egypt NJ.

Living a Handmade Life: Blog Feature!

2010-01-23T15:17:00.000-05:00

This grouping of pottery is featured on Vieiragirl's blog Living a Handmade Life. No. 4 is one of my Terra Sky wheel-thrown then hand altered mugs available in my etsy shop. Thanks Vieira Girl!

Thanks for the wonderful treauries!!!

2010-01-19T09:37:00.000-05:00

New Work at the Portals show

2010-01-09T13:06:00.008-05:00

"Ravine" by Ericka O'Rourke 2010

stoneware clay, recycled glass, oils, impressed natural materials. 12"x12" plus frame currently available at the Portals show at Laurita Winery New Egypt, NJ - SOLD

"Remains" by Ericka O'Rourke 2010

stoneware clay, recycled glass, oils, impressed natural materials. 12"x12" plus frame currently available at the Portals show at Laurita Winery New Egypt, NJ - SOLD

Portals: Art Exhibit at Laurita Winery

2010-01-08T22:03:00.000-05:00

Please stop in to see the new Allentown Art Guild Exhibition "Portals" at Laurita Winery. It will be on display from January 8th 2010 through May 6th 2010. We will be hosting an Opening Reception on Sunday February 7th from 2-5pm on the second floor of the winery. Please visit Laurita's website for directions and hours.

Blog Feature: Beautiful Blues

2010-01-07T16:28:00.000-05:00

Thank you for featuring my cobalt stripe bowl!

Rustic Greens and Browns...a beautiful treasury!

2009-12-26T14:35:00.000-05:00

Thank you for this wonderful Treasury featuring my Earth and Water recycled glass chawan...it is a beautiful collection!

All is Calm

2009-12-14T19:16:00.000-05:00

Another beautiful treasury featuring my pottery! Thank you!

"Hope"

2009-12-12T17:05:00.000-05:00

I just delivered this piece to Laurita Winery to replace the one that sold at the Allentown Art Guild's "Hope" opening. It is a mixed-media painting on a clay slab that I had carved and drawn into with found natural materials..twigs, leaves and such. Iron oxide washes are painted on then rubbed off to bring out the textures and lines. After the second firing, I paint on the slab. The final slab attached to a piece of framed painted wood with a muti-mastic adhesive and reinforced with hand sewn copper wires through holes on the piece originally intended for that. This piece will be on display and available for purchase at Laurita through January 8th 2010.

Featured!

2009-12-11T07:22:00.003-05:00

Another lovely treasury that included my recycled glass stoneware pottery! Thank You!

new in the shop now!

2009-12-07T17:47:00.000-05:00

Blog Feature: Nina Gibson Designs

2009-12-05T13:43:00.001-05:00

Jewelry Designer Nina Gibson has included my earth sky shino recycled glass tea bowl as one of her favorite finds on her wonderful blog. Thanks Nina!

Fresh from the kiln!

2009-12-02T13:23:00.008-05:00

More from my earth and water copper series.

Introducing Terra Sky . . . a taupe ochre feathering into a a silky smooth glossy turquoise blue. In the shop...

Treasury

2009-12-01T20:35:00.001-05:00

My organic rim bowl is featured in this gorgeous treasury!

Visions of Hope

2009-10-11T01:01:00.006-04:00

"Hope" by Ericka O'Rourke 12" x 12"

Please join the Allentown Art Guild for our VISIONS OF HOPE, exhibit, featuring works of art that will include paintings in oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media; mobiles; stained glass; jewelry; photography and ceramics. Each artist interprets the theme in a unique way, but all of the works demonstrate great technical skill and originality. Free Admission. Exhibit will be on display from October 15th through January 8th 2010. Opening Reception Sunday, November 15, 2009 2-5pm Laurita Winery 35 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ 08533

new work delivered . . .

2009-10-09T11:41:00.000-04:00

I just delivered some new work to Creative Genius Gallery in Medford New Jersey! Many new recycled glass functional bowls, tea bowls and some new raku pieces as well...Stop by and check it out!

new raku work

2009-10-06T11:57:00.002-04:00

gearing up for fall

2009-08-27T20:56:00.003-04:00

garden pic - passion flower in bloom

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year...so much going on, with the kids going back to school it will be much easier to get back into a regular studio routine and get back into the swing of things...I will have shipments of new work going to the local galleries as well as lots of new items in my online shop...starting to pack it up for the holiday season. On another note, I am very happy to have finally gotten a share at a local CSA, Fernbrook Farms. I had been on a waiting list for about a year...it is an amazing place worth checking out. I just took a quick one night canning workshop there the other night...I had canned my tomatoes a few years back, following the steps from a book and it took so much time that I kind of figured it wasn't worth it, but this workshop taught me a lot of tricks and tips that will make it much easier the next go around, so I am looking forward to bringing home the fall crops from the farm and being able to preserve some at least to last through the winter. My garden is looking pretty sad this year except for an amazing little pumpkin patch that just took off! After doing a lot of yard work early this spring, I had moved a lot of my plants around so much they had a hard time getting established, however, my daughter saw these seeds on sale at our local hardware store and we decided to throw them in there late in the season. I wished I saved the pack because I don't remember what they were called but they are supposed to be these turquoise blue pumpkins! I can't wait to see how they turn out, I am waiting to harvest a few of the large leaves for pottery bowls very soon.

Jude Harzer

2009-08-01T15:32:00.005-04:00

I love this latest shot of my friend Jude with her work...she just completed a 5 week residency at the School of Visual Arts in NYC...Congrats Jude! If you are in the area, check out her upcoming show! For more info about Jude and her work check out her website at JudeHarzerFineArt. The show is August 6th 6-9 pm SVA 133/141 W. 21st Street, 4th Floor NY, NY.

earth and water series bowl

2009-07-27T16:20:00.001-04:00

earth and water series bowl, originally uploaded by elmstudios.

new listing available....copper glazes and a pool of recycled turquoise glass....

New Blog Feature!

2009-07-24T22:13:00.003-04:00

Waterstone Jewelry has featured one of my bowls on her blog! Check it out! She has some amazing jewelry in her etsy shop...I love this turquoise, jasper and antique copper necklace by Lori Plyer in her shop!

Iced Matcha Latte afternoons

2009-07-21T09:52:00.003-04:00

We have been enjoying this iced Matcha drink everyday this summer made with the wonderful matcha tea from ruaTEA on Etsy...

1 1/2 tsp matcha powder (dissolved in 2 oz of water no hotter than 170)
1 cup 1 % milk
honey to taste
1 large cup of ice

blend all together and add more milk or cold water to desired consistancy.
Enjoy!

a walk in the garden

2009-05-04T19:18:00.003-04:00

I love this time of year. Completely and utterly covered in earth both at work and play. I have been spending long hours prepping the garden beds, moving plants around to further sculpt my mind's garden as it evolves. It is finally beginning to take form...and there is much to enjoy and find...some pics...My new hellebores are flowering for the first time...I love this flower. And the emergence of the dogwood flowers....

glaze dream bowl

2009-03-14T10:19:00.004-04:00

Well, it has been so long (just over a month) since my last update due to colds and walking pneumonias, that most of the work from the last kiln load is already sold! This bowl was one of my favorites! It was hard to let go for me...it reminds me so much of a geode...I left the outside very rough with organic earthy colors and the inside is just an explosion of cobalts, turquoise, siennas, ochres, and cremes....I will be making more of these and praying to the kiln gods that they come out as nice.

Artists offer creative interpretations of winter theme

2009-02-25T08:08:00.001-05:00

News write up in the NJ Times about my current group show Winter at the Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown City, NJ. Click here to read the article....

New Winter Paintings . . .

2009-02-04T16:26:00.003-05:00

These are just 2 of the new paintings I will have included in the Winter Group Show at the Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown. The Opening is this Saturday, February 7th, 2009 from 4-8pm. These 2 paintings are both 8" x 8" plus frame, oil on canvas.

Copper Earth Mixing/Pouring Bowl

2009-01-25T19:30:00.004-05:00

New listing...I have been experimenting with this glaze for sometime now...it is very tricky, when it works right, it is just gorgeous...but it needs a nice soak and slow cool in the kiln to get the copper crystals to show. Will keep working on it, but for now, I have a few nice listings that will be going up in my etsy shop that came out great! Been painting a lot for my upcoming show as well...I will be photographing them this week as they need to be going to the gallery next week...will post them soon!

Winter Finally.

2009-01-15T09:45:00.002-05:00

Everytime it snows, I need to grab my camera and ride around for shots...I took this image this morning at Conine's Mill Pond in Allentown, NJ. This seagull seems so out of place, but very content. I got some great reference pics, just in time to keep on painting for my upcoming Winter show!

Featured in Twitter Backgrounds Gallery!

2009-01-13T14:07:00.003-05:00

My Twitter page is currently featured in the Twitter Backgrounds Gallery! Check it out!

Winter Show Update

2009-01-08T10:18:00.003-05:00

As mentioned in an earlier post, I will be in a group show next month...I now have the dates and final info...hope you can stop in!

Winter - A Group Show at

Opening Reception -
Saturday February 7th 2009 4-8pm
(Snowdate - Sunday the 8th 4-8pm)
The Artful Deposit Gallery
201 Farnsworth Ave
Bordentown City, NJ 08505

Allentown Art Guild on BlogSpot

2009-01-06T13:19:00.002-05:00

I finally got the Allentown Art Guild blog up and running...still needs some additions and tweaking...but it is there! You can check it out and sign up for e-mail updates if you are interested. The Allentown Art Guild is a non-profit organization that I started with 3 other local artists in early 2006. We are based in Allentown New Jersey and have members from the surrounding areas including Roosevelt, Cream Ridge, Upper Freehold, and Hamilton, NJ.

Free Limited Edition Print for every 20th follower!

2009-01-03T21:44:00.006-05:00

Please help build up my subscriber list!!! I am giving away 5 of the signed limited edition prints shown above...more information about the image is below. These prints are actual giclee prints on a very beautiful paper. This is how it will work...sign up to follow my blog (add me to your blogs you are following on your account or sign up via my feedblitz e-mail updates) and each 20th follower will be notified by me via e-mail in order to receive the proper mailing address where you would like your print shipped. I will pay shipping fees within the United States. Thanks!

"Snowgeese Over Mill"
LIMITED EDITION PRINT
Allentown, New Jersey
Original Photograph by Ericka O'Rourke

This photograph was taken at dusk on Main St. in Allentown NJ. The building in the picture is our Olde Grist Mill . . . it is the heart of our small town here....This image was shot with a Nikon 35mm SLR and tripod with a very slow shutter speed. The colors in this image are not digitally altered. A vibrant sunset caused the beautiful colors you see reflecting off of the front the Olde Mill. The migrating flock of snowgeese making their nightly arrival upon Allentown Pond are flying in unison above the peak of the Mill.

This original photograph is being offered as a gicleé reproduction measuring 6.3 x 9.2 inches (image size) and is printed on Hahnemuhle William Turner Watercolor Paper. A mildly textured mouldmade stock that is bright white and has the feel of velvet fabric. This edition is limited to only 50 signed and numbered copies. Every print is individually signed and numbered by the artist, and a certificate of authenticity accompanies each print.

Walnford Winter

2008-12-16T13:50:00.005-05:00

December 15th...65 degrees? After spending the day working in my garden yesterday, today I decided to stay home to get some painting done for an upcoming show. Outside my studio window now, huge snowflakes fall...finally winter...maybe, who really knows....still, I can't say I didn't enjoy getting one last full day of unexpected gardening in yesterday...I moved about a dozen perennials, divided a few, cleaned up a bunch of dead stuff, scattered some seeds and cleared out litter blown into the wetlands...I was hoping to move just one more tree today before the ground froze up again, but mother nature has other ideas it seems...so it will have to wait. In the meantime, this picture is one of my photos I took for reference a few winters ago. It is a well know scene around my neck of the woods...The Historic Walnford Mill in Upper Freehold, NJ. This image will be featured as a limited edition of 25 signed prints available at the Winter Group Show at the Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown, NJ in early 09...more details on the show dates and times to come (to pre-order by phone, you can call the gallery directly at 609-298-6970.)

Rainy winter days . . .

2008-12-11T20:33:00.006-05:00

I could do a painting on this new bowl....I get so lost in the glazes.....Will this rain ever end? I am on an endless and thus far extremely unsuccessful mission to find a good pizza dough recipe. I have tried at least 20. I thought maybe it was my oven wasn't hot enough, but last week, I bought frozen pizza dough and the results were amazing.......so I know it is possible......I have tried bread flour vs all purpose, sugar vs no sugar...today's attempt was from an Italian Farmhouse cookbook and called for 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil...it rose beautifully and looked and felt wonderful......but the results were a very dense dough.......pretty bad actually....if you know of any good pizza dough recipes that work, please send them my way.

New Work . . .

2008-12-09T18:00:00.002-05:00

Early Autumn, oil on canvas 6" x 6" 2008

Lazy Sundays...

2008-12-07T09:24:00.004-05:00

I love sunday mornings...finally not in a rush to get the kids out the door. I have been neglecting posting with the chaos of holiday responsibilities, complicated by one kid with walking pneumonia and the other breaking a front permanent tooth in half....the joys of motherhood. I have quite a few large bowls and platters I still need to mix up new glazes for, fire and get to the gallery. I do have a few new pieces up in my etsy shop and will be listing more in the following days . . . One thing I finally accomplished is a long overdue update of both of my websites...I love the iweb program from Apple...when I got my new iMac last month, I started revamping my sites, for simplicity's sake really. I finally caved and signed up for a yearly .mac account (now called mobile me)...I had been against it for years mainly for the $99 annual fee...but I am at the point now, that whatever I can do to simplify gives me more time to make art. Their server does seem to be a little slow which is very bothersome, considering the size of their company and how much you pay for the service, but I am trying to be optimistic that this will not aways be the case. The really bad thing about the iweb program, is they do not make it very easy to publish your site to just any hosting server....I currently have my own hosting server and after waisting many hours trying to make everything work together, I finally just gave up and made my personal domains forward to the new iweb sites on my mac account. BUT the ease of updating the images and adding new work with so much less up front work on my end, is making this definitley worthwhile so far...so check out the new sites....fine art: www.elmstudios.com and illustration: www.erickaorourke.com...and let me know what you think.

New Work . . .

2008-11-16T20:47:00.003-05:00

This is one of my latest small (6 x 6") oils . . . This image was inspired by one of my trips to Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in New Jersey. It is now available for purchase at the Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown City NJ.

blog feature!

2008-11-04T08:06:00.002-05:00

Check it out! I am featured on a blog this week...friago.com.

Always exciting to find out!

Jude Harzer

2008-10-24T18:43:00.002-04:00

My friend Jude is a wonderful woman and very talented New Jersey artist...Please check out her work at her website and try to stop in to her upcoming opening...

MANIFESTED ENCOUNTERS IN PAINT AND WAX.

Gallery 638

638 Arnold Ave. Pt. Pleasant Beach NJ

Opening Reception:

November 15, 2008 4-8pm

more info: judeharzerfineart.blogspot.com

new raku!

2008-08-29T19:52:00.003-04:00

Well, I think my pyrometer is not working....the other day, I mixed up a batch of new glazes and the results were not what I had expected....they were nice actually, but just nothing like they were supposed to be. So I was trying to figure out what could have gone wrong...I decided to try doing a firing based on my old time method instead...pulled the pieces exactly 30 minutes after firing up and I managed to pull a few very nice new pieces! Always a nice way to end a raku session! So now I am trying to figure out if my pyrometer is broken, or if I am just not using it correctly, which is always a possibility! Also brought a bunch of new stuff, mostly stoneware to Artful Deposit in Bordentown...Paintings are on the way there too, just need to get the framing finished! These 2 raku pieces here have been listed in my etsy shop!

Chip and Dip

2008-08-23T12:21:00.003-04:00

I love this new serving set...perfect for salsa or dip and chips...I made the bowl separate for versatility and easy cleaning...check it out in my etsy shop!

Fleur Relic Earrings!

2008-08-12T10:39:00.003-04:00

Finally got the first of my new earrings up available on my etsy shop! I made the stamps used to make the impressions in these porcelain earring myself! More to come!

Very delayed post . . .

2008-08-04T15:27:00.004-04:00

Summer days are flying by, and I am finding it hard to keep up with so many things, let alone posting. We just got back from Maine and it was great...I wish we were still up there. Not liking the humid New Jersey weather. Been finally making some jewelry again in anticipation of the upcoming holiday shopping season, but I guess I have to make more, because it sells whenever I list it...Can't complain there! I have also started listing some prints for sale in my etsy shop as well. They are more affordable than originals and I have had some requests for them...Here is a new one from a series I am working on...Poppy Fields I...

friday night raku

2008-06-18T09:11:00.004-04:00

This friday June 20th I will be hosting a live raku demonstration for the Allentown Art Guild. For more information check out the website www.allentownartguild.org...Some more new work below...this one is now up on my etsy shop! This vase is white crackle on top with a beautiful copper cobalt on the bottom...one side of the vase that received a heavier reduction has much more copper, but the other side has the cobalt...pretty cool.

new work: raku tea bowls

2008-06-14T22:55:00.003-04:00

I love the combination of a white crackle with the copper matt glazes...this little tea bowl, has the most beautiful center. It is now up for sale in my etsy store...much more to come. I am starting to experiment with a new raku recipe for a rich cobalt/copper flashing glaze, so I will put those up in the next few days....We have been firing up the raku kiln often on these nice spring evenings as it is my favorite weather to raku...it gives you a perfect reason to just sit outside and enjoy the air.

Fresh from the kiln . . .

2008-05-30T19:59:00.004-04:00

After a couple of tweaks, I got the raku kiln firing up great. I made a few pendants and many new pieces that will be going up for sale in my etsy shop in the next few days...These are mostly done with a Rainbow Copper glaze that I mixed up...I will be testing a white crackle, hopefully a turquoise crackle as well, and a nice new cobalt recipe next firing...which may not be for a couple of days with the weather forecast...

Spring Raku Evenings . . .

2008-05-26T18:46:00.011-04:00

Well, I fired up my re-lined raku kiln for the first time this weekend and I am happy to say that I am back in business...I am looking forward to getting my growing stockpile of wares fired and to get some more raku jewelry underway as well...It was a beautiful day to raku...as I was getting all of my raku gear out of my shed, I ran into the culprit of last year's shredded raku kiln living in my shed again...he was very brazen and even waited while I went to grab my camera...

below is a picture of my platform for the raku kiln made up of cinder block and then fire brick...

That's me placing the red hot 1700 degree pottery into the can of combustibles . . .Fun Fun!

And the prize shot of the evening . . . "Hot Pants" . . . a lot of hazardous gas expulsion around Raku jokes and headlines were tossed around with this shot...but thankfully I am not really on fire or emitting fire...just a cool accidental double exposure shot of me while I was running around ;-)

Raku vessels waiting for glazing . . .

One of the finished bowls below . . . this one just got listed in my etsy store!

To learn more about the Raku process and philosophy, you can check out my Raku web page...

Stormy Weather

2008-05-19T09:18:00.009-04:00

I just love storm clouds . . . you can't beat the lighting for anything. I just took these shots a few weeks ago while driving home. The weather has been anything but predictable . . . but I did get in about an hour of yard-sale shopping in yesterday before it let go and everyone quickly put away the good stuff . . . I did manage to get one awesome find though . . . A huge box of thousands of gorgeous sea shell that were hand-picked by some local scuba divers for only $3! Yard sales are the best! Now I am thinking about what to do with them . . . okay, done with my coffee, time to get some work done . . .

Ready to Raku (again...)

2008-05-18T09:08:00.004-04:00

We had a beautiful day here yesterday for our Art Yard Sale and I mananged to get rid of quite a few glaze testers and seconds...just in time for the next influx. I made the careless mistake of storing my hand-built raku kiln on the floor in my storage shed. It never even occurred to me that mice would find the fiberglass heat blanket that lines the kiln as luxury bedding. I hate even touching the stuff. But I was left with a shed of shredded fiberglass and no raku kiln. Live and learn I guess...But finally I have relined the kiln and we are ready to go! Below is a pic of some bisque-fired pots waiting to be glazed . . .

Busy Spring Days . . .

2008-05-16T07:49:00.003-04:00

I don't know if I am coming or going lately . . . it has been busy all around . . . I am working on a few bookcovers that I need to wrap up as quickly as possible. This saturday, oops that's tomorrow isn't it, I will be participating in the Allentown Art Guild's Art Yard Sale, which is basically an informal show to clear out our studios. I have been trying to get somewhat of a vegetable garden in, which I am happy to say I just managed to finish yesterday in time for the rain. It will be a small one this year, as I am in the process of killing a lot of grass to make room for lots of new plantings and walking paths through the garden. I am currently waiting on 1 ton of mulch to be delivered to create the beds. It is like having a nice blank canvas to work with and I am very exciting to start laying it out. Here is a little garden pic from yesterday . . . seems we are all busy right now ;-)

Tiger Lily Dream . . .

2008-05-10T23:27:00.007-04:00

Finally springtime is here! I have been very busy in the garden and cleaning up the wetlands ... The purple loosestrife is really taking over and I am trying to pull them out by hand now. It is such a shame that it is such an invasive species as it is so beautiful in bloom in august...It has gotten so out of control over the last 5 years, we can hardly see the creek at all now in the winter, all you see is the dead loosestrife plants. We have seen a lot of frogs this year so far as well as small fish and newts. The other day, we actually saw a common brown watersnake ambush an unsuspecting frog that had been sunning on the side of the creek....fortunately for the frog, he was too large a meal for the snake to put down and after 20 minutes, the snake finally let him go...

On the art front, I have been working more on my wetland series of paintings . . . I have finally posted this ceramic/art piece up for sale in my etsy shop, sometimes it takes me awhile to part with them . . . it is a large slab formed hand-painted tile inspired by the tiger lillies...the back is constructed so that the piece can be hung directly on a wall, or of course it can be displayed on an easle or actually installed as a tile...

News Article Today: TIME OFF

2008-04-17T18:51:00.002-04:00

There was a nice write up today in the TIME OFF section of the Messenger Press Newspaper featuring my "Iris" painting that is in the current Gallery 125 show...check it out here!

Upcoming Show at Gallery 125

2008-04-09T10:28:00.003-04:00

I was one of the artists accepted into the Spring Show at Gallery 125 in Downtown Trenton, NJ...There is an Opening Reception scheduled on Friday April 11th from 5-9 pm...The exhibit runs from April 9th to June 7th 2008...for more info on the gallery as well as directions - here is the link! Gallery 125

Fresh From the Kiln . . .

2008-03-12T20:28:00.002-04:00

New test glazes...a very successful firing! I am experimenting with a few new recipes, and I am very happy with the results so far...the sienna mug below is listed for sale in my etsy store, while the large coral inspired bowl is currently available at the Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown. I will be listing smaller versions of this bowl within a month or so on etsy....

Fun with Fiber Art

2008-03-10T21:04:00.007-04:00

Fiber Art by Hanneke De Neve

Over the weekend, I attended a fiber art workshop taught by a wonderful artist, Hanneke De Neve. It was so much fun...we pretty much turned the gallery into huge mess of fabrics...I will post the finished piece when it is done...but here are some pics from the day...and some of Hanneke's art...definitely worth checking out!
Hanneke's Webpage

New Work

2008-02-29T21:43:00.004-05:00

I don't usually work so close up with florals on such a large scale, but funny, I actually prefer the detail of the painting as a painting by itself...this piece is currently on display in the Spring Exhibit for the Allentown Art Guild Show...

"Iris"
oil/canvas
24" x 30"

It's cold outside . . .

2008-01-19T14:41:00.000-05:00

Every year when it gets cold, our migratory snow geese population flocks to Conine's Pond. They are amazing to see and hear...I have been documenting them with nighttime photo shoots for a few years now.

New Work

2008-01-15T22:53:00.000-05:00

Just a couple of my new paintings to be included in the upcoming Winter show . . .

"Winter" A Group Show

2008-01-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

Come check out the group show "Winter" at the Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown, NJ...The promo image is one of my fine art prints which will be available in a s&n limited edition of 25. The image is of the willows trees overlooking Indian Run Creek in Allentown, NJ.