All of our lives are more or less drastically changed by Covid19. My work practice has not changed that much in many ways, since it was solitary to begin with. My regular firing place, Continental Clay, isn’t available right now though, and that brought about a change in the appearance of my latest work.
I have been experimenting with pit firing in a charcoal grill and a fire pit in our backyard, and all my new work that will be available in my online Art-A-Whirl shop (Art-A-Whirl is happening online from May 15 to 17!) is finished in that technique, paired with some bright splashes of color provided by acrylic paint.
See below some pictures of the work process and the results. The small busts you see are my ‘escapism’ series – an idea I had in the beginning of the year, even before the pandemic hit.
The people portrayed are dreaming themselves into a peaceful, serene state of mind by focusing on comforting and iconic imagery – like superman, milk and cookies, a love note, or a unicorn!
These busts and the small wallpiece heads will be available in my online Art-A-Whirl store.
Stay tuned for details!
My newest finished piece for ‘Dappled – growing up with shadow and light’.
I got my piece back from glaze firing last week. Will call it ‘stories’, I think. The painted portraits commemorate classmates of my mother’s. She often talked about her middle school class, and how many of her friends’ lives were cut short by WW2. My mother passed away last year, so this is a monument to her, her friends, our closeness and the stories she shared with me.
Amazing press for ‘La Doña’!
Basking in one of the best compliments I’ve ever gotten for ‘La Doña’:
“Its ubiquitous Day of the Dead branding gives La Doña the feel of a playful sacred space, and perhaps most significantly in terms of good vibes, the brewpub is blessed with the 24/7 presence of the stunning sculpture “La Doña,” by sculptor Kordula Coleman, which is surrounded by candles and serves as something of an altar, perfect for gathering round with a pint and contemplating all this life and death.”
Thank you , Jim Walsh , for this shoutout in your article in @minnpost for my favorite brewery in town La Dona Cerveceria and for this dizzying, bask worthy compliment on my sculpture ‘La Doña’. This really made my day.
Photo by Jim Walsh
Holiday Sculpture Sale!
My annual holiday sculpture sale is here! All pieces shown will be 20% off until Jan 15 2020, which will put some of them well below $600. See titles and discount prices in photo captions. I accept credit card and payment plans! Email me if interested.
Ceramic head making class at Dock6pottery – taught by me!
The class will be held on Thursday nights, October 3, 10 and 24 from 6:30 to 9 pm.
Participants will learn the basic principles of working with clay, and how to shape and glaze their very own small low relief head sculpture.
Learning this skill might open up your way into sculpting with clay, and the joy of creating something completely unique, new and durable – to keep for yourself or to pass on as a gift. All skill levels are welcome, including beginner!
Participants will leave upon completion of class with a finished, glazed and fired head sculpture – or several, depending on each person’s pace of work. These pieces make for excellent wall pieces, but can be displayed on any flat surface – even outdoors in a bird bath! Just make sure to take it in before it freezes.
This class is meant for participants 16 years or older. For more information, see the official flyer below (note that the dates are the old ones and not accurate) and click on the the Dock6Pottery Facebook event page. You can also call them at 612-327-0429 to reserve your spot and pay over the phone.
Would love to see you there – let’s make art together!
My third time in the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Show!
Artist’s preview night yesterday at the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Building! Standing next to my piece ‘Rebirth’ – I am in mighty company and thrilled that this piece made it into the show! I highly recommend seeing the show when you’re at the fair – an incredible, large and versatile array of local art.
#goals – being interviewed by Classical MPR’s Steve Staruch for ‘Music with Minnesotans’!
I had the great honor to be interviewed by Classical MPR’s Steve Staruch for his program ‘Music with Minnesotans’! The interview was aired Friday, June 14, at 3:30 pm CST on Classical MPR. Steve had invited me to be on the show after seeing my work on my website and, in his own words, being ‘captivated’ by it. This was amazing for me to hear – Classical MPR has been my companion for many years, and Steve Staruch’s voice in the afternoon has been a constant presence. To be featured on ‘Music with Minnesotans’ and to have met Steve in person was so immensely gratifying. He was wonderful to talk to – an empathetic and supportive listener, which made my initial nervousness dissolve, and enabled me to freely share my thoughts.
So, if you want to hear a few things about my history – growing up in Germany, how I started loving classical music, how I ended up in Minnesota, and my three favorite classical pieces, which were incredibly hard to pick – have a listen! The interview is available online at Classical MPR – Music with Minnesotans, together with some pictures of Steve’s studio visit at our house.
My work at Brookview Community Center!
All set up @brookviewgoldenvalley community center! It was so fun installing my sculptures in this beautifully designed and brand new building! I love the integration of plenty of daylight into the architecture. My pieces, all from my animal series, will be on display and for sale for three months – stop by, take a look and grab a bite to eat at the restaurant! That’s exactly what I will do soon.
My current project!
I have decided to take the plunge and investigate my childhood and that of my four sisters through sculpting. This new body of work, tilted ‘Dappled – Growing Up with Shadow and Light’, will be shown at Lanesboro Arts in the early fall of 2021 – stay tuned for details.
This show will give insight into my early life growing up in Germany. Like many of my generation, I have been raised by parents with varying, often severe levels of trauma from living through World War 2 and it’s aftermath (in my father’s case, direct combat followed by forced labor in a Russian interment camp).
My father’s trauma was more severe than my mother’s and never treated, which was common at the time. He still took on the role of father and husband, full of good intentions. My parents didn’t understand that not shielding us from their emotional turmoil, but instead expecting us to carry it with them, deeply affected our mental wellbeing. Working on this series is emotional, but it also helps me to recognize habits to unlearn, darkness to release, and accepting and loving who I am because and not despite of my childhood.
Sharing my motivation to make these pieces has led to some invaluable and touching conversations with friends and acquaintances that have similar experiences with loved ones who have been affected by war or trauma. People from the opposite side of WW2, whose families have been traumatized by Nazi Germany’s brutality, have opened up to me. Feeling forgiveness, and openness towards my story is humbling and very healing.
My hope is that this sculpture series will draw attention to the fact that all wars have a tremendous human impact and affect generations of people long after the war itself is over – whether you were on the ‘winning or the ‘losing’ side. I hope it will compel the viewer to offer compassion rather than judgment when they see a person struggle, transcending borders, races, religions and nationalities. Let’s help each other, extend comfort and acceptance, and make each other feel safe to show our scars and share our stories. This makes healing possible.
I am part of NCECA 2019!
It is amazing how a well designed show can maximize the impact of a piece! The bright, bold red of Carleton College ‘s show ‘Sin – seven deadlies in clay’, adds a violent passion and suspense to my piece ‘Drama’ that I had never perceived in quite that way before. This show is one of the most beautifully designed shows I have ever been a part of. Engaging, beautiful and thought provoking. See above and below impressions from the opening of ‘Sin’ on February 8, showcasing the work of 24 clay artists interpreting the seven deadly sins. My piece ‘Listening ‘ (representing Wrath) was placed on a specifically designed shelf high on the wall to show the facial expression to its best advantage. Thank you to Teresa Lentzen and Jeff Rathermel for the exquisite setup and design! If you are in the Northfield area, you should go check it out. This show will also e a destination for NCECA 2019! NCECA – the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts – will hold its annual conference in Minneapolis this year! Many ceramic exhibitions will be happening all over the metro area from March 27-30, 2019. I am so proud to have a piece in one of them! Also pictured are amazing works of @attilaraydabasi and @kellyconnole .
