Carla Flati on wed 3 apr 96
Actually, the subject should be "How I spent all the money I was going to use
for my summer vacation". I now have enough magazine subscriptions, brushes,
books, tools and assorted clay stuff to last me at least until.........next
year's NCECA! I'm also the proud owner of original works by Ron Roy and Barb
Mazur. I couldn't make up my mind so I bought both of their cups at the cup
sale. Anyone still in shock over the $4.00 beers?
I may be giving up the Carribean, but my trip to NCECA was worth it's weight in
gold. As an isolated, basement dwelling, vampire potter, I was determined to
soak up as much information as I possibly could in the short time I had. The
knowledge I gained in 3 short days was almost overwhelming. The workshops were
great, very informative. I especially liked the tile workshop with Frank
Giorgini because I now know why 55 out of the last 60 tiles I bisqued cracked.
Thanks to the electric kiln glazes workshop, I also know how the last pot I made
using my very own cryolite glaze creation ended up being named "the puke pot"
by my kids ( a gross, but very accurate description.) Actually, a few of the
slides I saw at Alfred looked surprisingly similar to my pot so I figured that
someone there must have given the UPS guy a crack at glaze formulating.
The trip to Alfred was both wonderful and a bit depressing for me. I was like a
kid visiting Toys'R Us for the first time as I was going through the working
areas and galleries. I had the good fortune to tour the place with Bacia
Edelman who was gracious enough to take the time and explain everything to me.
The depression set in when we toured the grad students' workshops. These kids
seemed to have the world by the butt and definately didn't lack self confidence.
As I was listening to them explain their work and future plans, I suddenly got a
flashback of all my what if's, would of's, could of's and should of's. Well
this depression lasted all of about 2 minutes because once I heard they opened
the campus bookstore to the public, I was off to spend mo money which took my
mind off of all my regrets.
Without a doubt, the absolute best part of NCECA was meeting all the faces
behind my computer screen....the Clayarters. The first person I met was my
friend, Russel Fouts. Although we've talked to each other for 2 years via
computer and phone, we had never met face to face. Russell struck a great first
impression with me especially when he thought someone had mistakenly sent a
hooker to his room when he answered his door just because I was wearing red
lipstick (left my daughter's confirmation party and got right onto the plane for
Rochester). He has now given up stereotyping dark women with red lipstick
forever. The second person I met was Jonathan Kaplan who was kind enough to
give me my official Clayart button. Then, thanks to the wonderful Paula
Sibrack and her Visa card, came the breakfast. We all took turns introducing
ourselves and giving short bios. Mostly everyone looked something like I had
them pictured in my mind, but there were a few people who really threw me for a
loop. Take Vince Pitelka for instance. Turns out that Vince is not the schmuck
I thought he was. He is actually a very pleasant man who seems to have a real
passion for teaching and is very enthusiastic about his school. He also happens
to be the same size as my garage (a very tall guy). Another person I had all
wrong was our fearless leader/list moderator, Joe Molinaro. For some reason I
had Joe pictured as an 80 year old, white haired, semi-retired professor who
sits in front of his computer all day reading our messages. The only thing I
had right was the white hair (just kidding, it's more like salt and pepper).
He's half the age I thought he was, good looking, and one of the truly nicest
people I've ever met. Imagine, in the beginning, he actually made up questions
to submit to this list just to keep it going. I'm sooooo glad he played dumb
because if it weren't for this list, I would have never ended up at NCECA or
known any of the wonderful people I've met. The Clayart "regulars" were all
great and I met quite a few very nice lurkers who have all promised to
contribute online now that they know us. I also had the pleasure of meeting my
brush making/spelling/grammar coach, Jack Troy. What a friendly, unassuming
sweetheart he is! Last, but not least, were Bacia Edelman and Elca Branman.
They are two terrific ladies and they're also my new heroes. I don't know if
they realized it at the time, but practically every conversaton we had was a new
learning experience for me. Bacia explained many things to me like which
glazes were which and what they were supposed to look like (I was winging it up
to then) and Elca did a real pot critique for Russel and me which was a big
change from the "Car, that pot is really ugly" or the "nice pot, Ma" which is
the extent of the criticism I'd previously heard. They each have a great
sense of humor which made being around them a real joy . I can't thank them
enough for letting me tag along. Russel and I had dinner with them on Friday
along with Barbara Sansing and I think that was one of the highlights of my
trip. The Friday night fiesta is also way up there on my list because I had
really big fun.
Well, I've rambled too long so I'll get to the moral of my story. If you've
never been to one, and it's at all possible, go to NCECA next year. Even if you
don't learn anything new (which is practically impossible unless you're 120
years old maybe), you will at least be inspired and without inspiration, what
good is the knowledge?
Take care all...............Carla
(who is still adding up the cost of inspiration)
WMNSWK5@aol.com on wed 3 apr 96
Carla,
Noted that you are a basement dweller and the recent article on radon in
basements in this months CM came to mind. Be sure you read it. The author
linked the development of lung cancer to the higher than normal radon levels
in the basement where she worked. Apparently higher levels are common in
basements. Take care.
Suzanne
Richard Burkett on wed 3 apr 96
Carla Flati says:
>For some reason I
>had Joe pictured as an 80 year old, white haired, semi-retired professor who
>sits in front of his computer all day reading our messages.
WHAT? But Joe IS 80 and white haired... You've been duped. The real Joe
Molinaro is...
JUST kidding, Joe.
Richard - your OTHER clayart listowner who's ALSO NOT 80, NOT semi-retired,
or white haired (yet), and who is sorry to have missed the ClayArt breakfast!
AND where do these rumors about us start?
Richard Burkett -
School of Art, Design, & Art History, SDSU, San Diego, CA 92182
E-mail: richard.burkett@sdsu.edu <-> Voice mail: (619) 594-6201
Tom Buck on thu 4 apr 96
Just a note to all us basement potters: the occurrence of Radon (element
86, last of the "inert [noble] gases" is highly variable, more a function
of the local rock formation than a concrete mix. For example, where I am
in Ontario (westend Lake Ontario), the Radon levels are miniscule, almost
non detectable. But in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Radon levels in some
basements are in the hazardous range, and require constant air movement
to the outside to keep the level in the safe range. Cheers Tom.Buck
On Wed, 3 Apr 1996 WMNSWK5@aol.com wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Carla,
> Noted that you are a basement dweller and the recent article on radon in
> basements in this months CM came to mind. Be sure you read it. The author
> linked the development of lung cancer to the higher than normal radon levels
> in the basement where she worked. Apparently higher levels are common in
> basements. Take care.
> Suzanne
>
| |
|
