Week 24, Day 171, October 11, 2009, Art Trail

It's been a great weekend.  We wandered out on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, and found ourselves in Gary Rith's Studio, the locally famous potter with a huge web presence.

Gary is an excellent host.  If you're in the area next weekend, I highly recommend visiting his studio.  He has great pottery for sale, and gives incredible demonstrations of the creation of his work.

Here our children with their significant others display some of their great newly acquired pottery.  (Aren't they all beautiful?)

Another place that we visited is Nancy Boyce at the Thou Art Gallery in Groton, NY.  If you like bright colorful functional art, this is the place for you.  There's great wall switches, bowls, jewelry, and many other pieces of work.  In addition to her own work, Nancy also sells items from many other artist.  All of it is interesting, and you'll see new things every time you return.  I could spend hours there just looking at all the wonderful pieces of work.

Both of these artist have been great at encouraging me to pursue my interests in photograph.  They are great artist and great people.  Thank you Nancy and Gary for all your help.

Lessons Learned:

• Your own children make beautiful models.  

Photo details: Exposure time 1/80 sec, Aperture f/4, ISO 1600, Focal Length 22 mm, 35 mm equivalent focal length 35mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, handheld.

Week 23, Day 164, October 4, 2009, "In His Element"

I had the chance to get a sneak peak at one of the participants in the Fingerlakes Art Trail today.  Gary Rith, a famous potter with a large web presence,  was working getting ready for the event.  It takes place for the next 2 weekends. 

In addition to teaching at Cornell University's Pot Shop, Gary has a really cool studio in his home.  He's a great host, a lot of fun to watch, and his work is incredible.

If you're in town, I highly recommend that you put this stop on your calendar for one of the next two weekends.

Hey Gary, does this make me the "Backup Photographer for Gary Rith Pottery"?  (Gary does most of his own photography.) If so, I can add it to my portfolio.

Lessons Learned:

• It's a lot of fun exchanging ideas with other artists.  There are many similarities in the creative process through all the arts.  Thank you for the lessons on pottery, the opportunity to take more photographs,  the wonderful conversation, and the really neat pink flamingo pottery.

Photo details: Exposure time 1/125 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 800, Focal Length 17 mm, 35 mm equivalent focal length 28mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, handheld.

Week 13, Day 91, July 30, 2009 "Gary Rith at the Cornell Pot Shop" Winner of Week 13 Online Viewer Poll

I was very honored to be invited by The Gary Rith of the Gary Rith Pottery Blog to the Cornell Pot Shop. Gary demonstrated many aspects of his work. He made a pitcher, glazed some cups and piggy banks, loaded the kiln, and assembled a tea pot.

I'm amazed at all of the details, and all the techniques that he uses in his work. It seems that many forms of art require both the technical skills to complete the tasks as well as the artist touch for the beauty, and appeal. Gary processes these features with an incredible ability to teach others, and an excellent sense of hospitality and humor.

Thank you Gary for allowing me to photograph, watch, and listen, and learn more about the tip of the iceberg of your craft.

Lessons Learned:

• Many of today's lesson dealt with the seeing similarities between different art forms. To do it well, there is a depth that seems to come from both a vision, an ability, and a lot of work and experience in learning the craft.

Photo details: Exposure time 1/100 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 800, Focal Length 19 mm, 35 mm equivalent focal length 31mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, hand held.

This photo was the winner of the online viewer poll for week 13.