Carolyn Detjen Judy Smothers is an artist who has been gifted with incredible abilities, causing some of the materials used in art such as paint, metal and clay to bow to her command. She has patience with her students and a gentle smile that catches hold on you to soften your angst, allowing you to…
Carolyn Detjen Because fire in a trashcan is involved in the Raku process, we are traveling down the road a piece to Farmers Branch, Texas where Connor Muldoon, established professional potter and instructor, will guide us along the way to success. The word Raku means “happiness in the accident”. This technique was originally created for…
Carolyn Detjen Three times a year, beginner’s classes are given in the Happy Potters Club, enabling those unfamiliar with clay to enjoy as we describe it, “learning how to play in the mud”. Pinch pots are the first step in the adventure. Our little one-pound bowl becomes the stepping stone toward uncovered hidden abilities. It…
Carolyn Detjen Jan Marx, education director and a teacher in the Happy Potters Club is once again stirring up the creativity genes of our members and causing questions to be asked. She is giving demos guiding the members to understand a portion of the artwork of the Southwest Pueblo natives. To make it more interesting…
Carolyn Detjen There are few secrets about clay use in the Happy Potters Club. Whether you throw or handbuild, it is a good thing when you reach out to guide and share methods with your fellow potters. On Monday, September 10 eighteen of us gathered around with one of our pots to show it off…
Carolyn Detjen June 14 brought The Happy Potters Club together for the changing of the guard. We gave a round of applause to our President Judie Smothers, Vice President Colleen Jordan, Secretary Nancy Lussier and Treasurer Sandy Holt. Tender thanks and heartfelt recognition went forth to each of the potter/officers that carefully led us through…
Carolyn Detjen Happy Potters are not referring to ice cream cones! No! DIPPING was the workshop given in early May by our very own Jo Ann Hanes. Jo Ann had been a professional potter for more than fifteen years before moving to Robson Ranch, but it was in the early 1960s that she discovered her…
Carolyn Detjen Clay, purified of rocks and organic matter, listened to the artisan spirit and became differing sights to behold. Each of the potters watched as birth came to life. Sarah Cunningham spoke of the experience as astonishing; never before had she watched as eyes looked back into hers and ears appeared beautifully. A…
Carolyn Detjen Travel over to the CATC building and walk the “gallery of windows”. On a monthly schedule the window displays are changed, exposing the talent of artists living here on the Ranch. Amazing! Bedazzling! Beautiful! Wow! Be ready to appreciate the wonders that the Ranch residents create. The Spotlight for March carries two…
Jan Marx May 4 marked the close of a four-month challenge created for club members to stretch their imaginations. They were to explore clay making that has a flat back to hang on a wall or sit on a stand. They could create a decorative or utilitarian piece, which included mixed media objects. An original…