Gruene and Shows.

Well, The Texas Clay Festival was amazing. I made art connections across the state, got new glaze recipes, and made new friends. The experience was great, I got to talk with Gary and Daphne Hatcher, Bonnie Lynch, and more! They were all fantastic. I can't wait to go back.

I got into the show at the Hill Country Arts Foundation, will be showing at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene, and the ACU Gallery! Things are looking up. I have also started to narrow down my choice in Graduate Schools. It is crazy to think that I will soon be leaving McMurry and starting new somewhere else....Holy Cow! Anyway, I am sure there is a reason for everything.

~Z. Miles

Greune: Texas Clay Festival

Hey! Today we are heading out to Gruene, TX to the 17th annual Clay Festival. This year the clay fest will feature 60 Texas based artists that specialize in throwing, hand-building, Raku firing, sculpture, and more! This is my first year to attend so I will let you know how it goes.

Recent Work: Most recently I have started work on a new wall piece that is based on a photo I took while visiting the Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth. The photo of pebbles was taken through glass and water so the color is amazing in the shot. I am very excited!

My hunt for graduate schools is going well. I am interested in programs located from New York to New Mexico. It is hard to break it down to what schools I should apply to but I am making progress. It seems that time is my biggest enemy but I know it will all work out in the end.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Z. Miles Mayfield

Window Display

Come to Hamlin, TX this weekend to see my series Blood Lines on display next door to the Hamlin Herald building. This includes some abstract ink botanicals on paper and non-functional Raku fired ceramic pieces. I will have a few functional bowls for sale!

Thanks for your support,

~Z. Miles Mayfield

Simple and Clean...Why?

I used to love the simple and clean style for my functional pottery. As this fall came I read an article and it asked, "Why do you choose simple and clean pottery with little altering? Is it because it is what you like? If so, why do you like it?" I found that I could not answer why I loved my simple and clean pottery. Actually, as I thought of it more and more I found it boring. I now try to alter every functional piece I create. This, to me, seems to be more interesting and brought a new element to my "simple" functional pieces.
So, if you are a functional pottery who likes his/her simple and clean functional pottery tell me why. I'm not saying stop making it as I almost have but I do ask, why? Why make something a certain way if we don't know why we are making it that way?
Just a thought. ~ Z. Miles

Eddie Krieger

Today (10/6) I went to Eddie Krieger's home and workshop. Eddie is a local potter and pharmacist for the Abilene and Buffalo Gap areas. He had took the time to show the group I went with how to throw pots with lids and pitchers.
I took the chance to look at pricing. He is very reasonable with small bowls going for $18 and small mugs going for $14. He and his wife are great people who always make us seem like we are at home.

~ Z. Miles