Be an artist

I remember when I was a junior in high school and went home and told my folks I wanted to be an artist and go to school for it. They said you need to get a REAL education.

I did go to a "real" college rather than an art school, like I wanted to, but majored in art. I've done more with my art than most of the people in my class, even though I wasn't the most talented one by far.

Making a living as an artist has been a rewarding experience. I couldn't do it without the support of my husband, Michael, and the ladies that help me at Carolina Creations who give me the time to do it.

I can't think of another career that would be more rewarding. Every day at Carolina Creations someone says, I love these paintings/pottery pieces, they bring me so much joy. Or they will say about Carolina Creations, I love coming in here, it makes me feel good!

We have the best customers

Each year we give thanks for the wonderful people we have met through Carolina Creations and living in our lovely little town.

Today we received this photo from a family that lives away but whose folks live here.

The caption for the photo - 

The best gift under the tree this year....the gift of each other......and the awesome socks from grandma and grandpa! 

Solmate Socks, made in North Carolina and sold at Carolina Creations for 15 years.

Commemorative Vase Created for Swiss Bear

I was chosen to create a piece for Susan Moffat Thomas to commemorate her years as Executive Director of our Downtown Redevelopment Association. There has been many changes made to our downtown under the leadership of Susan.

I was given a list of the projects to be included.

I just happened to have hand built this large pot a couple months ago and it was waiting for the perfect scene to be painted on it! It was a good thing it was large because there were a lot of projects!

I did a couple sketches of how the vignettes would fit together.

Then I drew it out on the pot with a pencil - the pencil lines burn out in the kiln.

Projects included, Ship hauling Machine Artifact, Neuse River Bridge, Gull Harbor Walk, WayFinding System, Belks Building Rehab, Bear Plaza Bears, Union Point Park, Trent River Bridge, River Walk, Baxter Clock, F-11, Broad Street, and James Reed Lane.

Using underglazes I painted the scenes, applies a clear glaze over it and fired it again.


Danielle calls it a jardinière!    It's big enough that it can hold magazines, it can be a vase, or whatever!

Amazing New Pieces from Camp Climax Pottery

Hand thrown and hand sculpted

from Dan and Laurie Hennig

at Carolina Creations

Visionary, idealistic and in love, Laurie Anderson and Dan Hennig were married while attending San Jose State University in California. It was 1968, and the smoke was still clearing in Berkeley as they took their B.A. degrees in Art and traveled abroad to explore the museums and art enclaves of Europe.  Adventure and opportunity led them to teaching positions in the Caribbean where for almost two  years the rhythm of life in the West Indies influenced their work and lives.

In 1972 they were lured back to California by the great resurgence of culture and the arts that had been taking place since the late 60's. Camp Climax Pottery was begun in a remodeled garage in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

The decision to establish the studio at their home reflected their desire to integrate their lifestyle, allowing the environment of family and community to  effect the clay process. Their 20 plus year involvement with the Renaissance Pleasure Faire began at this time. Together they explored the playful mood of "the Faire" to develop their own wild style, incorporating wheel-thrown stoneware and porcelain, constructions and sculpture. Eventually their work and markets have expanded to include major craft shows and galleries throughout the United States and Europe. 

Spring Home and Garden Tour 2015 Art FINISHED!!

Sometimes it takes me a while to figure out how to paint a particular scene, I looked at this house for a couple months, waiting for leaves to fall, shot it from 15 different viewpoints, arrgh, just wasn't right, until I got some foreground into the picture then thought THATS IT!!

Then, oils or watercolors?

My friend Brenda Behr says if its about the building do it in watercolors, if its about the light, work in oils.

Well I started one in watercolor, wasn't happy, started one in oil, wasn't happy, then back to watercolor adding the foreground and it flowed.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Prints available at Carolina Creations.

Only 3 more commissions to do for other people for Christmas!

Then I can think about my own Christmas gifts for people. It's the proverbial story about the cobblers kids. Same with Christmas cards. I often sit down to write them on Christmas Day. It's usually the first day between Thanksgiving and Christmas that I can sit down and relax!

Unity Banners

We are really pleased to be a part of the Unity Through the Arts Program with our artwork on 3 of the banners. Humbled by the purchase of the banner of our pottery by a couple that has been big supporters of Carolina Creations and of Michael and I personally for many years.

 

Can't wait to see them hanging!

A Going Away Gift

I was honored to be chosen by Craven Community College, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Craven Regional Airport,  to do a "going away" painting for a couple that has a tremendous impact on our community.  Jan Francoeur

Buy Art

Stop in and get your BUY ART bumper sticker!

Free of course!

Hours for the Holidays

Monday - Friday 10-8
Saturday 10-6

Sunday 11-5

through December 23

Christmas Eve hours  10-6

Closed Christmas Day

resume regular hours on December 26
Monday-Saturday 10-6
Sunday 11-3

New Years Day 10-4

Festival of Lights

Hanukkah is the Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights. This year Hanukkah will be observed beginning on December 16 for eight nights.

Jewish families will light their menorahs with the Shamash (the candle that sits above the others and is used to light the other candles each night), and one additional candle on December 16 then an additional candle will be added each evening until all eight candles and the Shanmash are burring on the eighth night.  

Other traditions of Hanukkah are eating food fried in oil to celebrate the miracle of the oil found by the Maccabees. The amount of oil that was found should have only burned for one day, but it continued to burn for eight days. This miracle created the Festival of Lights.

Traditional foods eaten during the Festival are Latkes (pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts). A game is played with a four-sided top called a dreidel to win small prizes.

Gifts are often given each night.

We wish all our Jewish friends a happy Hanukkah!