I’m Back Y’all.

Hello All!

School is back in session, I’m officially a ceramics major, and a senior, and back into my blogging routine. So much has happened this summer, while I was not able to write often, I managed to move, start a new job and a new internship, and even make it to the beach a couple of times.

Here’s a shot from my room mate trip to OCMD.

As sad as I am to see this summer end, I am much more excited to get back to school! This is my first semester as a full blown Ceramics major and I am so ready to learn some new techniques and get my portfolio built up!

Here’s my first little mug of the semester! Its the most satisfying feeling to see this.

I also started a new adventure as the production intern at Karen Singer Tileworks here in Philadelphia!

Home

So being that this is a new semseter, in a new house, a new major, new job, new internship , with lots of new summer friends and life lessons; I’d imagine now is as good a time as any to lay out some broad goals for myself…

1. My number 1 goal is to expand my Ceramics portfolio, keep the blog up to date on my studio shenanigans, and update my artist website. (http://www.jenniferkhall.com/) <<This thing needs some major work

2. Expand my photography repertoire (I’m assisting to shoot a wedding this weekend!)

3. Find a healthy balance between work and play (isn’t this everyone’s biggest issue?)

On that note I’d like to leave you with some words of wisdom I stumbled upon the other day which really inspired me for this upcoming Autumn…

 

Hope everyone is as ready for Fall as I (think) I am!

Pumpkin Spice Latte anyone???

Jen

Let’s Go See Some Art Shall We?

Moving to Philadelphia was a strategic decision for me 3 years ago. I come from rural Pennsylvania where their idea of art is barn decoration. So, in an attempt to become more cultured, I moved to mega- city full of museums, galleries, artists, and opportunities. To be honest, I had NO idea what I was getting myself into. And sometimes, I still feel like I know nothing about my city. The art scene is an ever- evolving enigma to me. Once you grasp one thing there is something new to see.

So last week James and I took a trip to see an opening at a Gallery run by our professor, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, in center city Philly. Like most awesome places in Philly, it is particularly unassuming from the outside, just an old warehouse. But open the door and you’re entering the artistic “speak- easy” of Philly; the most cutting edge sculpture, video work, printmaking, photos, and paintings.

I feel so “Sex and the City” at things like this.

I enjoy a good night out, seeing lots of art with a good friend. But While scanning the rooms of highly politically charged and abstract work, I feel pretty lost. As an artist myself, it is particularly frustrating to feel as if the concept of a work is totally lost on me. I wander the galleries and formally analyze work, but 95% of the time, I have no idea what it means.

James always seems to understand everything… or so he says.

I’m beginning to question if I even want to be part of the “fine art conversation” to begin with. I feel as though my brain is more wired towards an educational standpoint, and the goal of my work is to always remain accessible and approachable to anyone. I never want my work to appear pretentious or exclusive to any audience.

Which is why I am so excited to be shifting gears from painting (which I will always continue to do) to a larger focus on functional pottery. My biggest complement is someone choosing to incorporate my art into their daily life; hanging my painting in their kitchen, using my mug for their morning coffee, anything. I have no desire to gain artistic recognition for this work, I just wish to quietly add beauty to the ordinary.

I’m working on researching different clay bodies, functional forms, and glaze techniques. And I’m hoping to get myself into the studio next week. Wish me luck!

Jen