We have lost a dear friend

Beth Ann Freed was a force at our last art show manning the Silent Auction tent and encouraging visitors to view the art and make a bid to support The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center.

She stood out there the entire day in spite of the cold, windy day because she was so sincere.

Beth Ann was a good friend and everyone who knew her will miss her. She lost her battle with cancer. We will find a way to honor her every day but especially at our next show.

2011 Artists of Scottsdale Ranch Art Show

Artists of Scottsdale Ranch 2011 Show

We are hard at work on preparing for the January 29, 2011 show. The same weekend for the 3rd year in a row at Scottsdale Ranch Community Center with some of the old and some new artists. We are happy to be associated with The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Hospital Shea again. Our Silent Auction will be bigger and better and we will be happy to contribute even more money from the sale of our art. Last year was our first attempt and we had an excellent showing. Thanks again to all who bid and won the art!
These are hard economic times, but the community still needs art. Even if you can't purchase, we hope you will attend and support the artists by stopping by. Because we are all local artists, and our art is one of a kind, there are plans for small pieces, too, so everyone can become a collector without breaking the bank. We hope you will take a look.
I have been busy traveling to see family all of the country this summer so when we return mid October I will have to chain myself to my workbench in order to get some work done for the show.
My motivation is, as always, to earn money for Niki's scholarship. The 2010 winner of the Writing and Thinking Workshop is a wonderful young lady who has been very helpful in telling me what she got out of the program and it makes it all worthwhile when we see the results of our efforts. Another thank you to all my supporters. I appreciate all of you!

Sharon's table

Art Show 2010 by Artists of Scottsdale Ranch

We had a wonderful 2nd year with crowds all day and beautiful tho windy weather.
The additon of the Silent Auction benefiting The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center that raised almost $1000 was the centerpiece of our show. Wonderful art was donated by most of our 20 artists who were delighted at the response of the art show guests.

Personally, I was happy that the metalic glazed altered torso shown elsewhere in my blog was the most bid on piece! swelling our donation to Piper for a worthy cause.

Planning is underway for our 2011 show that will be held the last Saturday of January, 2011.

Face Vase

Face Vase 11 x 4 x 4 inches



Before the glaze firing


Functual art reworked from an older piece now that I am fascinated by Raku glaze.

What is Raku?

"Raku is a pottery technique that has it’s origins in 16th century Japan. We are pretty sure that it was developed by Korean potters under Japanese rule but the exact circumstances of it’s development and in what context it was discovered is a mystery. The raku technique, like other pottery techniques such as salt glazing and pit firing, primarily revolves around it’s firing process although involvement with raku often goes much deeper into its philosophy, roots, and cultural significance. Traditional raku and our western version of raku are similar in many ways though there are some significant differences."

To learn more about raku click the link above.

2nd Annual Art Show

One more week! Great coverage in the Scottsdale Republic thanks to Cindy! Penny, Melissa, Sharon G and Sheila have been wonderful in their committment to making this work. Thanks, gals!

Torso - Raku

Torso - back 8.5 x 4.5 x 7.5 inches Ceramic Raku Glaze



Torso - front