Dori DeCamillis

The Alabama Clay Conference , to be held in February, 2012 in Birmingham (and hosted by my husband, ceramic artist Scott Bennett) will feature three well-known ceramic artists who will give all-day demonstrations and exhibit their work.  Here is the work of Chris Gryder, one of the featured artists. I've included an article below about his work, a piece I wrote for Ceramics Monthly magazine, November 2006. I'll blog about the other two artists in the next couple days.  Negative Impact The Work of Chris Gryder Chris Gryder began his exploration of art by studying architecture. A sincere and dedicated commitment to the subject led to his acquaintance with artists, methods, and concepts that later became the inspiration for his work in sculpture and clay. From the visionary designs of Antonio Gaudi and the philosophy of Louis Sullivan to experimental work in mold-making for architectural pieces, Gryder pieced together a singular aesthetic...

I did the illustrations for an informational video about my friend's company, Dialogue Resources . It was great fun to work on the project, and I love the added graphics that make it so effective. If you have use for Dialogue Resources' services, you'll be in good hands.  The video says so. My Illustrations in Video

My kids' art class worked on these oil pastel vase drawings a couple weeks ago. We learned about contrast, composition, warm vs. cool colors, and cast shadows. This is always one of the kids' favorite projects.

Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama This is reprinted from an email from WildSouth , a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting wild areas in the Southeast. Today is a day every friend of the wild can rejoice.  After more than a decade, 50 million acres of our most pristine wild lands are secured as the "Roadless Area Conservation Rule of 2001" has been reinstated.   These so-called "roadless" areas represent the core of our nation's public lands and have survived untrammeled by man.   Let this be a reminder to all who work to defend the wild and for every person who supports conservation that:  “We need wilderness preserved -- as much of it as is still left, and as many kinds --because it was the challenge against which our character as a people was formed. The reminder and the reassurance that it is still there is good for our spiritual health even if we never once in ten years set foot in it. It is good for us when we are young, becau...

I love this new addition to an old building. Dresden, Eastern Germany, Museum of Military History  To be reopened after a dramatic redesign by American architect Daniel Libeskind. Libeskind added a massive five-story wedge of glass, concrete and steel that rips through the former armory built for the armies of Kaiser Wilhelm I. The new addition interrupts the symmetry of the neo-Classical building as a symbol of how German democracy has pushed aside the authoritarian past. AP Photo/dapd, Matthias Rietschel.  Taken from artdaily.org

Opening this Friday, October 14th Artist Reception 6 to 8 pm at  Red Dot Gallery Exhibit A by Dori DeCamillis A five year project funded by the Alabama Council on the Arts, returning to Birmingham after a summer exhibition at the Mobile Museum of Art and  Compact Hybrids by Scott Bennett A collection of sensuous ceramic sculpture by this year's winner of the Alabama Council on the Arts fellowship winner.  Red Dot Gallery, 1001 Stuart Street, Birmingham, AL 35226, (205) 870-7608 www.reddotgallery.com

Stephanie Lee Here are various painters' take on lemons. For my students: note the lighting, composition, use of brushstroke, variation of color, atmosphere, and attention to detail or lack of it. It doesn't hurt to try to paint like all of these people and see which style and qualities resonates with you. Carol Marine Noah Layne Jeffrey Hayes Ralf Heyner Jo Bradney Paul Coventry Raymond Logan Vangabot (a robot) Linda O'Neill