Class schedule before winter break

It's getting colder. We only have few workshop left before the winter break. Don't miss it! Of course if you have more than two people, you can sign up for a group hand building class, too.

✿Ceramic Christmas ornament

Let’s decorate your Christmas tree with lovely ornaments you make this year. 

Saturday, Nov. 15th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Candle holder

Get cozy in the house with candle lights. Your hand made candle holder will make an even richer atmposphere for your intimate gathering. If you have a fear of flame, no worries, there are things called flameless candle.
Saturday, Nov 22nd 
9:30-11:30 

✿Piggie bank

Do you need to save money for the Holiday gift shop? Maybe it’s too late for this year, but this should work for next year! This will be a great gift, too! 

Saturday, Dec. 6th 
9:30-11:30 

Here is more detail. Art Farm Autumn class schedule

New Article!

I was in an article from Maryville Daily Forum today! Here is a link to the online newspaper. Maryville Daily Forum. Thank you Katy Barth.

Knitting bowl class

We had a knitting bowl class. I actually haven't used one myself, but I always wanted, since I have a cat, and a boy.

 

They explore to make patterns using stencil and brush stroke.

Finished!

Extra: Our cat Hina

Leaf pattern class

When out side was getting prettier everyday, we had a leaf pattern class. We used molds to make a shape from slab. I usually don't work like this. So it was fresh and fun for me, too. 

I wish if we could keep this leaf colors on clay, but we can't. So we painted colored slop, then wipe them out.

So only the patten could catch the color. I like this rice scoop patten on the back, too.

Finished!!

Workshops

Treasure box class. We made them from slab of clay. We explore the patten from rough cloth, lace ribbon, crochet, and stamps.

And here is a Pitcher class. We all made a good size pitcher from one ball of clay each. 

Art Farm group classes

Group hand building class have no theme! You can make whatever you want! Don't think too hard, just come to play with clay!

Online store for Holidays!

Our online store is expanding for the upcoming holidays!

J.W. Cotter

MOMOtime!

And more!

Article on St. Joseph News-Press

We got another article again, this time on St. Joseph News-Leader!

セントジョセフ　ニュースプレスから、もう一つ別の新聞社に記事がでました。

My family were on the cover, and the article continues on 3ed page.

第一面に家族写真と３枚目に記事が続く。

Online store

Now, we Joshua W. Cotter and Momoko Usami each have an online store.

Visit cartoonist J.W.Cotter's store.
You can get his first book "Skyscrapers of the Midwest", and second book "Driven by lemons" here. He also posts original art to sell each week. It's not only you can purchase original directory from the artist, also fun to look at every week!
ジョッシュの "Skyscrapers of the Midwest"、"Driven by lemons"、また、毎週一枚ずつ新しくアップされる原画やフランスで限定販売されたシルクスクリーンプリントが出品されてます。オリジナルが直接作家から購入できるだけじゃなく、毎週新しいのが見れて楽しい。

By the way, "Skyscrapers of the Midwest" is actually a story about him growing up in this country side of the Midwest where we built a house together.
ちなみに"Skyscrapers of the Midwest"は私たちが二人（とジヨッシュのお父さんの手伝い）で家を建てたこのアメリカ中部の田舎町で生まれ育った話です。

Visit ceramic artist Momoko Usami's MOMOtime!
You can get some of the works I made here. Whimsical functional and sculptural ceramics and metal works.
この新しい作業場で作る、遊び心にあふれた土とメタルの作品達の一部が購入できます。

Autumn / Winter Artfarm class schedule

Holiday season is coming soon! Lots of ideas to welcome your guests with one-of-a-kind hand made items! I am happy to announce the Autumn/ Winter session workshop schedules from Art Farm! Do you have something else you would lke to make? Our “One day handbuilding class” is open for you, too! No experience necessary! 

One day group handbuilding classes 
September 1st ~ November 24th/ 2014

You can make an unique handmade gift that you never be able to buy in the store for some- body special. You can use your very own tableware to prepare for the holiday dinner. You can decorate your house with art piece you make. It’s not only what you make is special, but the experience itself will be priceless! A great activity for family and friends. There is no theme, just bring your ideas!

Monday-Friday 9:30-11:30, 1:00- 3:00, 3:30-5:30 

Saturday 1:00-3:00

Minimum 2 people, 6 people maximum $25 per person
2lbs of clay, glaze, firing fee included $10 for each additional 2 lbs of clay

Please send me (Momoko Cotter) an email to register including your name and two choices of what date and time you would like. I will let you know if your requested time is open or occupied, and get back to you as soon as possible with more information. 


Handbuilding Workshop

We also offer workshops! But don’t wait, the table is 6 people maximum! 

✿Pitcher

Hot days still remain for a while. Make your own pitcher for water, lemonade, ice tea, and sangria! Guaranteed to be the center of conversation at your table! 
Saturday, Sep. 6th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Spoon rest

Not only functional to catch any drips and spills from spoons or ladles being used while cooking, it’s also a decoration on your stove or counter top.
Saturday, Sep. 20th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Soup bowl with cracker holder

It’s a good season for a bowl of hot soup! We will make a soup bowl with cracker holder attached. So we don’t need to prepare a plate for crackers!
Saturday, Sep. 27th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Leaf pattern

Beautiful fall leaves start to get color. Before they all fall off and dry out, let’s use them to decorate your pot!
Saturday, Oct. 4th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Knitting bowl

Are you ready for the knitting season? Of course you can use it in all seasons!
Saturday, Oct. 11th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Ceramic trivet

The trivet is never the center of a dinner table, but you can’t go without. If you don’t want to put hot casserole on your precious trivet, you can also hang it on the wall.
Saturday, Oct. 18th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Spouted bowl/ Batter bowl

You can use your own gravy bowl for the Thanksgiving table this year! Spouted bowl is good for mixing dressing, eggs, etc.
Saturday, Nov. 1st 
9:30-11:30 

✿Salt and pepper

Small, but important on your everyday table. Plugs are provided.
Saturday, Nov 8th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Ceramic Christmas ornament

Let’s decorate your Christmas tree with lovely ornaments you make this year. 

Saturday, Nov. 15th 
9:30-11:30 

✿Candle holder

Get cozy in the house with candle lights. Your hand made candle holder will make an even richer atmposphere for your intimate gathering. If you have a fear of flame, no worries, there are things called flameless candle.
Saturday, Nov 22nd 
9:30-11:30 

✿Piggie bank

Do you need to save money for the Holiday gift shop? Maybe it’s too late for this year, but this should work for next year! This will be a great gift, too! 

Saturday, Dec. 6th 
9:30-11:30 


Workshops will run if 2 or more people sign up. All classes are $25 person and include 2lbs of clay, glaze, and firing fee. +$10 for additional 2 lbs of clay.

Please register by a week before the class is scheduled to begin.

**classes are for all ages** 
**Cancelation may occar due to inclement weather.** 
**kids ages 8 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult** 
**Please allow a month to finish firing and processing. If you intend to make your piece as a gift, please keep this time schedule in mind. ** 

Registration and questions:
email: artfarm.barnard@gmail.com (preferred) 
phone: 660-652-3065

Instructor: Momoko Usami (Cotter)    

After this session I will continue update new workshops/ class schedules on this blog: http://albinoleviathan.blogspot.com  and Facebook page: “Momoko Usami Ceramics”. 

Art Farm was on the news paper!

Art Farm was on a local new paper "Nodaway News Leader"! One page with full colored images! 

Here is a link to online article.
Nodaway News Leader

Thank you for coming to Artfarm!

So, we started Art Farm Ceramics from end of June! Most of times, we are pretty concentrate to make our ceramic piece. So I miss a lot of photo chances. But here are some of them I can share.

さて、いよいよArtFarm Ceramic、６月から始まりました！なかなか写真を撮るタイミングをつかみにくく、数少ないのですが、こんな感じ。

Planter class. We use this low fire red clay to build. Then everybody colored their own pieces they just made. After they get completely dry, I will apply clear glaze, then fire them.
これはプランターワークショップからの写真。低火度の赤土、テラコッタで作り、色を付けてもらいます。何日か後に完全に乾いたらこちらで透明釉をかけて焼成。

They will be really cute with plants in them!

いろんな形で、植物が入ればもっとかわいいだろうな〜。

This is from one of the group hand building class I had. Each had specific things they wanted to make. Little boy made a treasure box with key! His sister made a fairy house. It even has a tiny bowl, pancake, and ice cream to go with! They did a great job with a lots of patient! Their grandma made three set of beautiful small vases. Looks great!

これはグループハンドビルディングクラスからの写真。みんなそれぞれ作りたいものが違ったので、このクラスにはもってこい。おばあちゃんが孫を二人連れてきてくれました。一番下の男の子は宝箱とそれを開ける鍵。後はちっちゃな友達をいろいろ作ってくれました。お姉ちゃんは小さなお椀とパンケーキ、アイスクリーム付きの妖精のお家。反対側には窓もあり、二人とも細かいところまで頑張って仕上げてくれました。おばあちゃんは、孫二人を手伝った後にでも、しっかり小さな花器をセットで三つ仕上げてくれました。

They are making nice size mug cups. We decorated with handmade stamps! It was a really nice morning. We worked outside on the porch. 

別のクループクラス。この日はマグカップを作りたいとやってきてくれました。なかなかのいいサイズ。形を整えた後はアートファームお手製のスタンプなどを使って模様をつけました。この日はすごく気持ちのいいお天気だったのでポーチに机を出して、外で制作しました。

These are photos from Fairy House workshop. We used more clay than usual to work a little bigger scale. We constructed from slab of clay. They brought small old crochet and lace to transfer beautiful patterns on the clay. Too bad it's hard to see from the photos.
これはフェアリーハウスのワークショップから。いつもより多めの土を使って大きく制作しました。今回は板状の土からの成形。それぞれ持ってきてもらった、小さなレース編みやレースのリボンなどを使って土の板に柄をつけて行きます。写真では細かいとこまで見えなくて残念。

They made stepping stones to go with. 

妖精のための、飛び石まで作ってくれました。

Cut out the doors, then finish! I like these asymmetry organic shape! Perfect for a corner of lovely garden!
ドアをくり抜いて完成！アシンメトリーさがいい雰囲気。お庭の片隅にぴったり！

There are more classes coming up! Don't miss it! If you already have what you want to make, just send me a email to artfarm.barnard@gmail.com !
もうじき秋冬セッションのスケジュールアップします。興味があればartfarm.barnard@gmail.comまでお気軽にご連絡ください！

Japanese tradition: Koinobori 鯉のぼり

In Japan, May 5th is a holiday called "Tango no sekku", also it's a Children's day. We celebrate both boys and girls nowadays, but actually it's a day for boys. The girls day is March 3ed called "Hinamatsuri". My parents in Japan sent this Koinobori" to our son last year. Finally we got them up.

去年、息子の生まれた年に両親から送られてきた大きな鯉のぼり、５月も後半になり、やっと挙げることができました。日本では鯉のぼり用のポールが簡単に手に入るのですが、こっちではあるものでなんとかするしかない。この辺りは風力発電の多いところ。強風でも大丈夫で経済的な旗竿を探しまくって、結局だめならだめでしょうがない、もうこれでいいわと購入したもの。旗竿の先につける粗い作りの金の玉はついてきたものの、つけたいのはやっぱり矢車。旗竿と矢車のチューブの幅の差が合わせるだけでいいと思ったものの、旗竿に水が入ったりするのも嫌なので、滑車は旗竿についてきたのを使うことに。ホームセンターで滑車の先っぽに合う大きなコーティングされたねじを探して、矢車をつける方法を考える。結局、屋外用の木片をいくつかチューブに合う形に抜いて、ねじとチューブをシリコンで固めて出来上がり。矢車も鯉のぼりもみたことのないみんなは、旗竿を立て、矢車が回りだしてワクワク、鯉のぼりがふわっと泳ぎだして、歓声を上げたのでした。

Josh says Japanese have meanings for everything. Yes, we do.
日本人は何にでも意味をつけたがると、いつもジョッシュは言うのですが、その通り。日本人は知っているけれど、こっちの人用にちょっと説明。

This fishes on flagpole swimming in the sky is called "Koinobori". This is from an old Chinese story about fishes tried to climb up the big waterfall in the Yellow River, and only carp had succeeded and became a dragon. People let these carp kite up in the sky hoping their son would have great success in his life by trying hard like the carp did in the story. Black carp is a father carp. Red carp is a mother carp. The blue carp is  a boy carp.

The one on the top is called "Fukinagashi". Five colors represent Five elements, earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. In old Japan, samurai era, people put this up after the war ended to hope a war would never ever happen again. …Well, so you can say this doesn't work, but it's the thought that counts…. This is as a protection for children in a well balanced peaceful world. The top windmill charm are shapes of arrow quill that has a same meaning to protect children.

So this should protect our son, we hope.

Most of our house in Japan don't have a space like we do here. So only the place that have big Koinobori are schools and in some festivals. I would like to see this thousand of koinobori swimming in the sky someday with my boys. 

日本では学校の鯉のぼり以外は、ベランダ用の鯉のぼりしか見たことがない。いつかうちの男の子達、ジョッシュと虹児を鯉のぼりフェスティバルに連れて行きたいな。

We also display samurai helmet, and eat rice cake covered with oak leaf called "Kashiwa-mochi". Cerebrate the generation continues in your family as old oak leaf doesn't fall off until the new buds come out. Maybe I will try make Kashiwamochi (like thing) next year. 

この小さな兜はおばあちゃんが虹児にと、送ってくれたもの。私たちの小さな家にぴったりのサイズです。ありがとう。庭に柏の木があるので、来年は柏餅もどきでも作ってみようかしら。

ART FARM Ceramics! Class schedule.

Hello everyone! We are happy to announce that we will finally start our art class "ART FARM"in here, Barnard, Missouri! Eventually, we would like to have all kinds of art class. But for now, we only offer CERAMICS class.  Here is the class informations from June to August 2014.

One day group handbuilding classes  
June 16th ~ August 6th

School is out! Time to make a work of art in our one day group ceramic class! A great activity for family and friends. There is no theme, just bring your ideas! The art piece you make can be for somebody special, or of course for yourself, and the experience itself will be priceless!

Monday-Friday 9:30-11:30, 13:00- 15:00, 15:30-17:30
Saturday 13:00-15:00
Minimum 2 people, 6 people maximum $25 per person
2lbs of clay, glaze, firing fee included $10 for each additional 2 lbs of clay

Please send me (Momoko Cotter) an email to register including your name and two choices of what date and time you would like. I will let you know if your requested time is open or occupied, and get back to you as soon as possible with more information.

Handbuilding Workshop 
We also offer a workshop! But don’t wait, the table is 6 people maximum!

✿Mug and Cups

Let’s make a special mug for a special moment.

Saturday, June 21st 
9:30-11:30

✿Planters and Vases

Make a unique planter and vase and get ready for picking flowers.

Saturday, June 28th 

9:30-11:30

✿Pitcher
Make your own pitcher for water, lemonade, ice tea, and sangria! Guaranteed to be the center of conversation at your table.
Saturday, July 5th 
9:30-11:30

✿Ceramic colander / Berry bowl
Time to harvest berries? Let’s make a pretty ceramic colander to go directly on the table.
Saturday, July 19th 
9:30-11:30

✿Fairy house
Every garden needs a house for the fairy to live in while she works her magic. Create a clay home with the slab building method.

Saturday, July 26th 

9:30-11:30

$35 per person 4lb of clay, glaze, firing fee included

✿Ocarina (ceramic wistle)
The ocarina is an old instrument that has been around for 12,000 years. Make your favorite shape from a pinch pot out of clay.
Saturday, August 2nd 
9:30-11:30

✿Bowls
Cereal bow, salad bowl, soup bowl? You name it.
Saturday, August 16th 
9:30-11:30

✿Treasure box
Use handbuilding methods to create your own special box to hide your treasures.

Saturday, August 23ed 
9:30-11:30

Workshops will run if 2 or more people sign up. All classes except “Fairy house” are $25 person and include 2lbs of clay, glaze, and firing fee. +$10 for additional 2 lbs of clay.

**classes are for all ages**
**kids ages 8 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult**
**Please allow a month to finish firing and processing. If you intend to make your piece as a gift, please keep this time schedule in mind. ** 

Instruator:  Momoko Usami (Cotter)


Please register by two days before the class is scheduled to begin.
Registration and questions:
email: artfarm.barnard@gmail.com (preferred)
phone: 660-652-3065 

After this session I will continue update new workshops/ class schedules on this blog: http://albinoleviathan.blogspot.com  and Facebook page: “Momoko Usami Ceramics”. 

Hallway light

 This is the light we can turn on and off from three places. We were looking for a cool sconce light for a while, but couldn't find a thing that grab our mind. So I decided to make it by myself.
この２階廊下の電気は三カ所から操作できる実は割と重要なライト。いいのがないかいろいろと探してみた物の、グッとくる物は見つからず。ようやく重い腰を上げて、自分で作ることにした。

I made a shape with clay, then cover it with resin. After the resin get dry, wet the clay and take them out. I have used resin for my work. I thought it would be a pretty simple project.

...However, there were thousands of walls that break my courage. It will be too long and too boring to blah blah explain what I had go throgh. So I won't. 

粘土で形を作り、樹脂を塗り、樹脂が固まったらもう一度粘土を柔らかくして型から外す。何度か作品作りでやったことがあるし、小さめの簡単なプロジェクト、の予定だったのに。やはり予定は未定、かくかくしかじか、やる気をくじかれてはもしかしてまだいけるかも、、、の繰り返し。

 Anyway, this is the hallway that connect our movie room to our master bed room/ Josh's studio space. Often when we are watching movie, he want to pause it, and run into the studio to write down his ideas before it fades. So I thought it would be nice to have a eureka moment light hare. After all light make every thing magical and beautiful. Finally I like it.
それはさておき、この廊下はジョッシュの作業場とムービールームを結ぶ廊下。よく映画を見ている途中に「いいこと思いついたから、ちょっと映画止めて。」と言い、いそいそとアイデアを書き留めに行く。そんな状況でもよく使う電気なのでユリイカランプがぴったしのところ。やっぱり光があるといろんな物がマジカルに見えて、いい！