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    Giving Tuesday!

    Giving Tuesday | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureSome of you know that I’ve spent quite a bit of time in post-earthquake Haiti. I’ve collaborated with artists there, brought supplies, like books, solar lights, laptops and art materials to kids in orphanages and schools and I also helped raise funds to purchase 60 goats for a rural community’s livestock program. I have strong friendships from these projects and a deep admiration for those who are still there helping make the country a better place.

    Locally, I’ve partnered with the Homeless Garden Project and local schools to help give art supplies and create small community projects that beautify a space or give someone an experience they might not otherwise have. I believe that art has the power to create change and it is my obligation to share my creative talent with others. You can read more about my philanthropic projects here.

    A lot of the way that I’ve made these projects happen is through the sale of my ceramic Art Hearts. These sweet little hearts are fun for me to make and give me a break from the seriousness of my sculptures and installations. They are loved by everyone who receives one and each sale makes it possible for me make projects like these happen.

    So if you believe in giving on Giving Tuesday, please consider purchasing an Art Heart or two in my online shop or making a donation to your favorite non-profit. If you want to donate to a Haitian organization, I can recommend Haiti Communitere, Ti Kay and Keep Winter’s School Open without hesitation- all of your donations will go directly to support the Haitian communities these groups serve.

    Thanks for sharing the love this holiday season!

    Opt Outside

    opt outside | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

    Ok, so it’s ‘black friday’, perhaps the stupidest made up day ever but as a small business owner and artist I’d love to tell you to go BUY ART! I’d love to pitch why my art is the perfect gift for all the creative people on your list and how important it is to support small businesses and local artists. And I really do believe that and I really do love to give and get art as a gift but today I’m not going to do that.

    Instead, I will be outside hiking, sleeping in my tent and cooking over a camp stove and I hope that you get a chance to do all or part of that too. The hashtag #optoutside created by REI is something I can get behind. As an artist, connecting with nature and being inspired by nature is what it’s all about. Gift shopping can wait, so I encourage you all to #optoutside today!

    See ya out there!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    This is me, in my happy place, finding what truly makes me grateful. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

    Happy Thanksgiving | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

    New Art Hearts Coming Soon!

    Here’s a sneak peek at the newest styles of Art Hearts coming to the online shop very soon!

    In the meantime, you can still purchase other style hearts in both ornaments and stems, but stock is running low on these styles, so be sure to order soon. And remember that a portion of all Art Heart sales benefit philanthropic art projects, read more here…

    New Art Hearts Coming Soon! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureGot a retail shop? Wholesale accounts are welcome, contact Jenni for details…

    Work In Progress: Lichen Series

    Last winter, I launched the photos and video of installing my newest piece in the Lichen Series in Nisene Marks State Park. Since then, the piece has been installed at the UCSC Arboretum and also on display during Open Studios. Now, I’ve started to reconfigure the pieces from this series into new wall pieces.

    This series is about death and regrowth- how the mushrooms, fungus and lichens grow where there is decay, allowing for something new to come from something old. I have been arranging the ceramic pieces to mimic the spore patterns left by mushrooms I’m hoping to mount them onto old redwood planks. The planks will be assembled to hang on a wall with the spore patterns of clay attached. In the studio, I started with whatever plywood ware boards I happened to have around to see if this idea was going to be visually interesting. Next steps are to find the right wood and arrange the pieces securely to the wood.

    Here’s an image of what I’m playing with, let me know what you think…

    Work in Progress: Lichen Series | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

    Featured Work: Seed Pod Series

    One is the loneliest number and it’s also the number of pieces left available in the Seed Pod Series. Anyone want to give this guy a good home?

    The Seed Pod Series is a study in form and texture. The surface of these pieces has been decorated using a wax resist process which enhances the depth of texture. I was inspired by the unique seed pods that I find while exploring the forest near my studio. I like the idea that they seem to be hatching an unidentified new life form.

    Featured Work: Seed Pod Series | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture14″ x 9″ x 9″ | $425. | 2014 | MORE INFO…

    Throwback…

    Looking back at old work while thinking about making new work, thought I’d share. Let me know your thoughts…

    throwback | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

    throwback | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

    throwback | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

    Field Trip!

    Field Trip! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureWho didn’t love going on a field trip when you were in school?

    This morning I had ten awesome 5th graders come to the studio to make a pinch pot project. Some had never touched clay before but all were excited to get their hands dirty and start playing with clay. I love that their teacher who I happened to meet at Open Studios this year, made the effort to arrange this visit for them and encourage learning outside the classroom.

    When you look at the projects in this photo, keep in mind that all of the students were given the same directions, the same examples and yet each one of these pieces is unique and creative. What a great way to start off our day!

    B CR8IV!

    Art Hearts!

    New Art Hearts are now available at the downtown Homeless Garden Project Stores, the Santa Cruz Art League, the UCSC Arboretum Gift Shop, at Ace’s Flowers in Aptos and of course at the online store. Lots of opportunities to shop local, support the arts and local organizations all at the same time. Give someone you love an Art Heart for the holidays!

    Art Hearts | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureInterested in carrying Art Hearts in your store? Contact Jenni for wholesale account information.

    Featured Work: Specimen Series

    Featured Work: Specimen Series | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureRemember collecting shells on the beach as a kid?

    You would collect hundreds but have to whittle down your collection to a few special ones because your parents wouldn’t let you bring the whole beach home with you. So you’d get home with your prized finds and keep them in some kind of box or container that would showcase them but also keep them safe.

    They would always be a reminder of the day, the quiet focus, the search and the excitement of finding something special.

    The Specimen Series is inspired by the memory of those finds, unique pieces organized and boxed for display. The online shop has only 9 pieces from the Specimen Series left. These bento box style works are small enough to fit in nearly any space making them a great gift for the collector on your list.

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