Paul Nielsen :: Mixed media sculptor

Should artists learn a trade?

Been pretty quiet the past few weeks here on the blog eh?

Bloggy buddy and painter Jim Janknegt has suggested in the past that art students should be taught a trade while earning their degree. I like this idea. It makes use of artists’ natural ability to work with their hands while acknowledging how difficult it is to make a living as a painter or sculptor, especially right out of college. Even if the overly idealistic students don’t want to acknowledge the fact. Furthermore, trades generally pay more than other jobs aspiring artists often end up in. And we all like a little more in the paychecks.

The absence on the blog is thanks to a new full time job. I’m working in a trade again. I have a little bit of experience in quite a few different trades: Landscaping, offset printing, woodworking, a variety of building trades including framing, wiring and painting. My new gig is with a painter, someone I actually helped out for a couple of summers while in college.

I’m also still working for M-DAT. Between the two I have very little time left in a day. The plan at this point is to focus intently on my sculpture on the weekends. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how soon I can build myself a soda kiln, and if I can make it somewhat portable. I don’t need a large one, and I already have some salvaged brick that can help out.

A friend recently counted the friends he has who are currently without jobs, and they numbered ten. So, regardless, I’m grateful for the work.

posted February 06, 2010 | Comments (0)

January studio update

Finally spending some time in the studio again.

It appears I have the kiln in working order after putting the old switches back on. It’s loaded and ready to fire this weekend. Here’s hoping everything goes well. It will be the first firing in this studio space with a rewired kiln. Below I’m putting some underglazes on pomegranates.

Underglazing pomegranates

The fruit is a little outside of my normal inspiration, although I have long been fascinated by their dry and mottled surface. My interest in them also probably stems from the Biblical design of the tabernacle, where the Israelites were told to craft pomegranates of unnatural colors (blue, purple and scarlet) for the hem of the priest’s garment (Exod 28:31-35).

posted January 16, 2010 | Comments (0)

White Show on the road

On the way back from lengthy holiday travels we drove up through Lawrence, Kansas to see the White Show. Jane Flander’s ceramic bones were some of my favorite pieces.

The show will be traveling to Hausmann Millworks in San Antonio for a February 19th opening. Below is Betsy Timmer’s amazing Rag Rug.

posted January 06, 2010 | Comments (0)

Likin’ this lichen

I found this walking back from breakfast to the apartment I’m calling home this week in St. Louis. Wondering if I can make a mold of it and slipcast a few of them.

posted December 30, 2009 | Comments (0)

Clay clouds by Stepanka Horalkova

Stepanka Horalkova has been one of my favorite ceramic artists for a couple of years now. I glanced at her Etsy shop this evening and saw these great little clouds.