do not bend

11" x 9" charcoal, gauche, screen printed paper and ephemera on cardboard envelope


Dear Friends,
I am afraid to admit (though I know you are all already quite aware) that I have been so very absent from my blog these days. The reasons are many and none. Changes are happening in my creative life, really nothing major, just a gentle shift that has been organically occurring in the past few months. Growing I think...yes I am growing. The new drawings that I am working on (see above) mark the transformation that has been taking place. No fears, the ceramics are still the loves of my life, I am just spending a little more time with my little kerchiefed ladies these days. I hope you won't mind spending a little more time with them too.

And on the more mundane side of things I am moving into a new studio space next weekend! It is literally five feet from my old space (through a doorway). Never the less it means a major transition and a LOT more space for me. It is bright and airy with a window, yes a window people... a very coveted commodity when it comes to studio space. So here is a before picture of the new space.

I will keep you posted on the after as well.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

F O L K * L O R E

charcoal, gauche, paper on used cardboard envelope.
11 x 9"

I have been feeling a little speechless lately. I think it's because I have SO much to do and it is taking all of me to keep my head focused. I get quiet at times like these. So since I don't have much to say at the moment I thought it would be a good time to list eight things about myself that you may not otherwise know about me. I was tagged twice about a month and a half ago so I guess it's about time I get to it.

By the way most the things (except for the tidbit about dog food) I am about to reveal all relate to my upcoming show, called FOLKLORE, that I am preparing for which opens on November 8th at the Candy Store in San Francisco. I am going to mix it up for this show and do a combination of drawings along with ceramics and there is also a rumor that I will be painting one of my designs on the wall.

Enough yapping, on with the eight things...

1. My hand shakes when I draw. I am not sure why it does this but it always has. That is why my lines are a bit squiggly.

2. I have a bit of an obsession with collecting cardboard. Rectangle pieces of cardboard from insides of stocking packaging or mens shirts, pieces that separate things inside of boxes, cardboard envelopes (see above), corrugated cardboard, even bits that I find on the sidewalk, it all makes me very happy.
*please see note below*

3. I had an aunt who was an acrobat in the World Famous Hungarian Circus in the 1950's & 1960's. I did not inherit one spec of acrobatic skill (took me years to master a cartwheel) but I was very influenced by her and the fact that she pursued her dreams as far fetched as they might of seemed. She passed away a few years ago but she still inspires me everyday.

4. I used to eat dog food when I was very young. I liked the dry kibble (Purina Dog Chow to be exact...just in case you wanna try some yourselves!). I really loved the graphics on the bag, big red & white checkerboard with funny portrait photographs of dogs. Oh, I remember it fondly.

5. I tend to be attracted Art that is moody and on the dark side.

6. I really did not like being a child. I couldn't grow up fast enough. I much prefer being an adult.

6. When I was seventeen to support myself (I was living on my own) I worked an eight hour swing shift after school at a plastics factory.

7. I went to Junior High and High School with Teri Hatcher (from Desperate Housewives). When we were in Junior High we both entered a window painting contest for Christmas. I won first place.

8. When I was in High School I once tried out for the school drill team called the Featherettes. Teri Hatcher did so as well. I barely made it through the routine (really made quite an ass of myself). She became the head of the drill team.

I am not going to tag anyone else. Yeah I am a poor sport and too damned lazy to think about it. Besides everyone I'd tag has already been it.

The drawing above is the first of series that will be in my show in November. Stay tuned for more to come.

*A call for your used cardboard envelopes*
I thought you all might enjoy helping a girl out with her obsession (and material for her upcoming show) and send on any used cardboard envelopes you may have laying around? I prefer ones with stamps, post marks, addresses and bits of writing on them. Please nothing new and cardboard only. White or the natural kraft paper type cardboard are all fine. All sizes are most welcome though I am especially in need of the 11" x 9" variety.
Please email me at diana@dianafayt.com and I will send on an address of where they can be sent.
*Thank you, Thank you*

working in the arctic

Okay, so I lied about the temperature of my studio in my last post...it has actually been 47 degrees in there. I finally broke down and turned on my kiln (with out firing anything) to help cut the cold. My fingers get really mad at me when I work in the cold. They swell and my knuckles ache and well it can't be good for me. Who says I don't suffer for my Art ;)

I am posting this preliminary drawing, with some trepidation, of a piece I am about to start. My intention is to have it be two 17" platters, side by side, to make one unit. I was taught in school, that drawings should always accompany the work. Which when making in ceramics, is not always the first inclination. One usually just wants to go straight to work with the clay. The habit was instilled in me and I am thankful for it.

I started the drawing with many ideas and had put in many elements, my usual flowers, etc. and then erased them as I felt they detracted from the piece. I also felt I was leaning too heavily on what I know works and I was not pushing myself. I was using that imagery as a crutch. When I removed all the extra embellishments from the drawing I realised that the simplicity and starkness (the feeling) of the drawing was what I wanted to convey with the the piece. So I have left in unadorned. Now to attempt it with the clay. A completely different challenge. I have anticipatory concerns about what could happen once I start trying to execute the piece. One of my concerns is that it will look trite, contrived, that the medium will scream utility and the sense of the piece will be lost. My gut feeling is that it can work though. The utility aspect is good and sincerely nothing to be ashamed of and can be exploited but needs to be done in a subtle manner. Ahh yes, subtlety, such a difficult thing to achieve in Art. To know when (and how) to be loud by being quiet. I am liking this challenge and really enjoying thinking about my work in this way. Don't worry, the pretty flowers and other pieces are still happening while I am working away on these more serious pieces. More on that later...for now I am letting myself be inspired by the arctic temperatures of my studio.

plastic clouds

See how hard I am working! I especially love the clouds of plastic that loom about my studio (those are covered pieces in progress) Gives it an ethereal feeling, yes? No, just makes my space look messy. My studio is a little cave like. There is a skylight so light does come in but I don't have a window. It makes being in there feel timeless. It could be the afternoon or late at night and I wouldn't know the difference. It can drive me bonkers but most often it forces me to stay focused. See that book...that is one of the many books that I use for visual reference for my drawings. By the way I draw each piece individually. I don't trace or use stencils. All the drawings are done freehand. I have a huge pile of books that I have collected over the years that I use. This one is especially neat because it is super old. I love the yellowed pages and the illustrations in it are drawn so delicately.