Penland – Page 4 – The Penland Sketchbook

Posted on June 24, 2024June 25, 2024 by Penland

Daniel Garver is Doing Exciting Things with Slipcasting

Meet Daniel Garver, Penland Resident Artist.

Hey there! My name is Daniel Garver, and I am a long term resident artist, in my third and final year, at Penland School of Craft.

Over the years my studio practice has encompassed drawing, printmaking, and textiles, but over the past five years I have returned to working with ceramics, the medium I focused on while in academia. Recently quilting, weaving drafts, and architecture have been substantial areas of inspiration in designing and producing my work which spans functional and sculptural slipcast ceramics.

My initial proposal for the residency was centered around building out my studio practice in a number of facets including, but not limited to, acquiring equipment to aid my work during and post residency, establishing my small business in North Carolina, and researching/testing ceramic materials, forms, and applications.

The Penland residency has been a great experience in so many ways that have encouraged me and my work. From exposure to conversations and uninterrupted studio time, it has been vital in understanding my practice and how my audience engages with my work.

Come this fall 2024, I’ll be participating in the Potters Market at the Mint and the Spruce Pine Potters Market and am excited to share my work and talk with you all. Following the end of my residency at Penland, I’ll be staying in the Penland area, living and working in Spruce Pine, NC.

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-Applications for the Resident Artist Program are open through July 2.

-Discover more of Daniel’s work HERE.

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Penland

Geoffrey Bowton is Interpreting the Veteran Experience Through Glass

Meet Geoffrey Bowton, Penland Resident Artist.

Hi! I’m Geoffrey Bowton. I’m just three months into my three-year term here at Penland.

I craft army paraphernalia using mold-making and glass-casting techniques, working to create poignant visual narratives. I also fabricate metal armatures and pedestals to display my work.

My practice delves into traumatic experiences that reveal true and transparent human emotion.

My goal during this residency is to continue establishing collection opportunities with museums, hospitals, and galleries in order to share the evocative stories that emerge from this work. I also plan to start writing a book.

This residency is coming at a good time for me. After working from my private studio in Oregon, I now have the opportunity to engage with others about my narratives and studio practice.

Be sure to stop in at The Barns and check in on the progress of my unorthodox works, and please feel free to openly express your views about the world we live in today.

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Applications for the Penland Resident Artist program are open through July 2.

Saints & Savages

Contagion Effect

Sykes Regulars

Mr. Stigma

Impetus Suicidium

Veteran Obsolete – left

Veteran Obsolete – right

Veteran Obsolete – back

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Discover more of Geoffrey’s work HERE.

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Penland

Tina Curry Empowers Students to Tell Stories in Clay

Tina Curry is known for her expressive animal sculptures, and her work and workshops are both highly coveted. During Penland’s first summer session, we had the opportunity to learn from Tina, and at the end of four mind-expanding days, students of all levels (including beginners) found that they had sculpted a bevy of delightful creatures beyond their imagining.

Coveted Experience
The folks who attended Tina’s “Creative Animal Sculpture” workshop filled her roster in the first few minutes of enrollment back in January.

Students Donna and Penny have been exploring clay together for fifteen years. Donna had been trying to take a workshop with Tina for over two years after meeting her through Tierra Madre, a women’s pottery group in the Knoxville, Tennessee area. Penny had never tried making sculpture and was eager to learn anything that Tina had to share. “She was so patient,” said Penny. “What was lovely was that she spent so much time with each person. She showed me how to do the ears six times!”

Work by students Penny and Donna

Telling Stories in Clay
When asking why she loves sculpting animals, Tina had this to say,

I always work with animals. I grew up with horses. When I look at animals, I see their personalities. I don’t just see a rabbit. I see that’s a rabbit who’s looking for his friends and who’s out playing. When I sit and sculpt, I think about stories. Of course, I like the technicality of being able to know the anatomy, but I always like that little tweak of personality that makes them fun.

Tina working on a rabbit

The Process
For this workshop, Tina brought a book full of reference pictures: different animals in different poses. Her goal was to challenge students to go beyond their comfort zone. She also encouraged each student to name their animal and create a story for them.

Ruby the rabbit

Tina had this to say about the arc of her workshop:

It’s intimidating at first, but once they get into the process, they become a part of the piece and their imaginations go and that’s the best part. They all start off with the same structure, but then as they work, they start to see things they didn’t see before. I know when people see the class description they think it’s very structured and it is in the beginning. But when students realize that they can go all out, it blooms. There’s so much talent here. It’s a beginning class, and the beginners have done exceptionally well.

Meet Some Animal Friends
We are excited to share some of the charming work created during Tina’s workshop.