Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

Seed Pods for the Gardener on your List

November 19, 2015 November 16, 2015

Only 6 seeds pods remain in the shop (3 large and 3 medium) and they are the most unique gift for the gardener on your list. Let them dream of all the new spring growth with this perennial sculpture that will keep them inspired through the cold winter months. These pieces were inspired by the seed pods that I find while exploring the forest near my home studio. I like the idea that they seem to be hatching an unidentified new life form.
The surface of these pieces has been decorated using a wax resist process which enhances the depth of texture. Each piece is made from stoneware clay, hand-built and unique.

SHOP NOW…

Work in Progress: New Shapes

November 18, 2015 November 16, 2015

I encourage my students to doodle with clay, especially when they’re stuck on an idea or just starting out with a new project, observers think that they’re just wasting time fooling around with a piece of clay in their hands but they’re not. I believe that three dimensional doodling is one of the most important things to do as a sculptor, it’s like sketching for sculpture. It’s when you go through the problem solving stage of making art, figuring out what you are doing, how you are going to do it, what surface treatments will be the most successful and maybe even start to figure out why you’re making these pieces. So I’ve been doodling these small smooth shapes for a few weeks now and the first batch just came out of the kiln. I’m not really sure what they are or what I’m going to do with them, they seem familiar yet are unidentifiable. The forms remind me of plastic toys, weird fruits or even microscopic sea creatures, I’m enjoying the bright color palette that they seems to be calling for too. They feel nice to hold in your hand during the making process and the final product, like a smooth stone. I have been thinking about creating multiples, boxing them up organized by shape or color like boxes of vegetables- all the same but each unique. I don’t know where this will lead, but let me know what you think and I’ll keep you posted on their progress.

Special Orders Coming Right Up!

November 17, 2015 November 16, 2015

I love making custom orders for clients because they get to be involved in the process of making the piece too. A lot of times they are asking for pieces in a style of work I’ve stopped making in my regular studio time, but I’m happy to revisit these styles- it’s like meeting up with an old friend. These two pieces just came out of the kiln and are from the Sprout Series I made in years past. I had a few people request them for custom work at this years Open Studios event, so I get to have fun making a few more.

If you saw something in my studio that struck your fancy, but maybe it was a little to big or the wrong color, let’s make one that’s just right for you!

Start by filling out a custom order form and we’ll go from there. I’m happy to work with you to make the perfect piece for you or a gift.

CUSTOM ORDER FORM

The Hive Arrives Home

November 16, 2015 November 16, 2015

This dynamic piece has traveled cross country and back again after being a part of Artprize 2015 and now it’s looking for a new home! If you have a space in your garden, home or commercial space for this sculpture, you can Shop Now!!

The Hive Series
200 ceramic handbuilt pieces
4’x 4’x 1′, 2015
$5000, includes free shipping within the US, free installation within 60 miles from the studio.

Holiday Shopping…Why buy Art?

November 12, 2015 November 11, 2015

I know Halloween just passed and it’s barely Thanksgiving but with the pressure of holiday decorations looming in every store, I wanted to share why I think it’s so important to buy less, buy local and support artists. I’m a minimalist at heart and when I’m gift giving for holidays or birthdays, I usually give things-to-do instead of things-to-have but sometimes it’s just more appropriate to give a thing, in which case I usually give art, plants or food. I know its easier to pick out the decorative candle in your friends favorite color than it is to pick out a small watercolor painting of your friends favorite flower, but isn’t that what gift giving should be about- taking the time to find something special, not just some thing. Art doesn’t have to be an expensive item, most artists have work in a wide price range, offer gift certificates or sell affordable prints of their originals. Buying from local artists helps your money stay within your community, keeps artists employed and with the gift of art, you can share the art, the artist and the story behind the art with your friends and family. This year, I encourage you to reach out to your favorite artists and find out what they have available and shop in the galleries or retail stores that carry locally made items because as the saying goes, the earth without art is just ‘eh’.

B CR8IV & BUY ART!

The Bone Installation Comes Down for the Season

November 11, 2015 November 11, 2015

Two days up and thirty minutes down…
The Bone Series installation was up at Sierra Azul Nursery in Watsonville since June for the Sculpture IS: 2016 exhibit, I hope you got a chance to see it, because today it came down for the season. This piece is modular and can be modified for any space, so if you have a place in your home, garden or commercial space for an installation like this, please contact me to discuss the options.

And, mark your calendars for next Spring because Sculpture IS: will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary with two exhibits showcasing sculpture! Plans are in the works for something really exciting!

Create with Clay Classes for Kids FULL

November 10, 2015 November 11, 2015

Just wanted to let everyone know that Create with Clay class spots for kids are all filled up for the rest of the year. If you’re interested in joining in on a class at the studio, please join our safe subscribe mailing list so you get the 2016 schedule in your inbox. JOIN

Adult Clay Classes still have space!

B CR8IV!

Why Make Art? – Richard Serra

November 9, 2015 November 3, 2015

If you need a little inspiration pick-me-up, check out this short interview with sculptor Richard Serra brought to you by the SFMOMA. Why make art? He explains that he creates art as a way to solve interesting problems about life, and believes that artistic creation influences the way we see the world. I couldn’t agree more.

Curiosities of Clay Opens TONIGHT!

November 6, 2015 November 2, 2015

For my last show of 2015, I’ll be showcasing work from the Specimen Series at Stripe Design Group in downtown Santa Cruz. These small wall mounted sculptures of intriguing organic compositions will be on display for the month of November. This is a great time to shop local while discovering a unique gift for the creative person in your life!

Meet me at Stripe for First Friday November 6th from 5 – 9 pm!

Curiosities of Clay | Jenni Ward
Stripe Men | 117 Walnut Avenue Santa Cruz CA
November 5 – 30, 2015
Artist Reception Friday November 6th, 5 – 9pm

My Art, Your Space: Wilson Family

November 5, 2015 February 4, 2021

I love seeing where my art ends up and hearing why you connect with a piece. If you have some of my work that you’d like to share, please email me! Thanks for sharing!

Here’s this weeks share from the Wilson Family:
The two seed pods were a gift to myself, I had been eyeing them for a long time, then these were the last two left and I thought they were perfectly paired together. Having attempted to build my own pods, both large and small, in clay class, I have an understanding of the skill it took to for Jenni to build them, which makes me appreciate them all the more. I placed them where we could see them from our swing on the back patio, I can also see them from my kitchen sink. I notice them all the time, sometimes there are orange poppies growing around them, sometimes the ground is dry and brown, and sometimes they are surrounded by lush grass and chickens. I love having art in the back yard and these pieces fit into our landscape perfectly, but also are quirky enough that they make me wonder: are they eggs? are those turquoise tails peaking out? are they alien plants? They are an intriguing combination of nature and fantasy, visitors and the chickens enjoy them nearly as much as I do.