It’s been cold! And so I’ve been hibernating in the studio with the heaters on. Whenever I think I’d like to go somewhere warm, I just can’t bear to leave this fabulous space - full of clay, half-baked projects and wonderful Bakehouse patrons. Here’s a work in progress I’m getting ready to enter in the Greenway Prize. I am still working on the leaves and the base.
Rainbow Banksia Work in progress
Last weekend a very creative group of mostly returning Bakehouse workshoppers came to explore banksia - related forms and flowers. The four hours flew by and I can’t wait to see these little beauties come out glazed in a couple of weeks time.
Banksia seed pods waiting to be glazed.
Last Saturday morning I attended a banksia workshop - what a fabulous and friendly creative space! We all had fun making clay banksia seed pods. Can’t wait to see our bisque fired pods and glaze them next week. Lisa inspires us all with her work as well as providing us lunch and coffee. Highly recommended.” Lyn
Tatiana will soon be joining us at the Bakehouse Studio
This week we welcome Tatiana from Switzerland, to the Bakehouse Studio. Tatiana is a ceramics graduate who won a travelling scholarship to come to Australia and work with me for three months from August till October.
I will be very glad to have her help and share the workings of our little Bakehouse ceramics business.
Thanks to the lovely Sara Buchner for running yet another Light House workshop last month. I love how this workshop has inspired my 22 year old daughter Eliza to go on and make so many more. You can book your place for Sara’s next workshop to be held on September 15 here.
In keeping with our new monthly spotlight of Bakehouse artists, meet the work of Deb Wilkes. Deb is an integral part of getting this Newsletter out and our workshops publicised. Deb also enjoys sculpting figures and faces, a group of which draw inspiration from the characters she met and lived with during her early years growing up in the East End of London.
Deb’s latest addition to the Eastenders collection.
The best part of creating these characters is seeing their expressions come to life, everything from great amusement to sadness. I never have a particular person in mind when making them, but they end up emerging from the clay reminding me of someone in my early life that I met at the local market or even within my own family.
I love collecting them from the Bakehouse kiln after they’ve just been fired and adding them to the collection of ‘The East End Crew’. It’s hard sometimes to part with them, but I’m very happy that so many of them have ended up going to people, including some of my Bakehouse artist friends, who can recognise someone in them that they relate to.
You can see more of Deb and her work at https://www.instagram.com/debwilkes8719/
I’m very happy to have been selected as a finalist with two works, for Sculpture in the Vineyards, The Wollombi Sculpture Festival, Hunter Valley . The Festival opens on September 14 and runs till September 29. Feel free to join me on the first weekend to wander through the many galleries and vineyards on the sculpture trail.
Sydney Ceramics Market
Don’t forget to save the date for the Sydney Ceramics Market to be held this year at Carriageworks on October 19-20. Bakehouse Studio members who will be exhibiting their work here include Eliza Brunsdon, Sara Buchner, Vicki Klay, Lise Mellor, Deb Wilkes, Cally Winter-Bruer, and Sally Steele.
Kickstart your creative 2nd half of the year with a 5 x session pass now available for Open Studio. $150 for use before Christmas.
Contact me here if you would like to purchase the pass.
New work will continue to be exhibited at the beautiful Winmark Art Gallery at Winmark Wines, Broke. Other work for sale is also visible in the online gallery shop.
The last Totems I workshop for 2024 at the Bakehouse Studio will be held over three Saturdays on November 9, 16 and 23
The last Totems II workshop will be held over two Saturdays - August 24 and 31 from 10am - 2pm focussing on proteas and wildflowers. Book your space here.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Bakehouse Studio soon!
Stay warm,
Lisa
The Totems II Workshop will focus on Australian native flowers.
Totems II: Australian Native Flower Sculptures
This workshop over two Saturdays is suitable for those with some experience, or who have already completed the Totems I workshop and would like to develop their skills in creating more sculptural work featuring Australian native flowers.
August 24, 31
Light House
This 4 hour workshop with Sara Buchner, will teach you slab building and cut out design techniques for the creation of a tea light house for decorative mood lighting suitable for inside or outdoor use.
September 23
Totems I
This popular workshop over three Saturday sessions introduces basic hand-building and glazing techniques, as well as composition and design.
Get in early as places fill fast!
November 2, 9, 16
Ceramic Birds
This fun workshop will teach you bird making and glazing techniques. You will take home two or three hand-made beauties to put in your garden or home.
November 29
Christmas Goddess Candle Sculpture
This is the annual festive end of year goddess candle workshop. Come along and explore sculpting the feminine form while creating a goddess which will also hold a candle to light up your Christmas table and beyond.
December 11
WEEKLY OPEN STUDIO SESSIONS
Monday Mornings
10am - 1pm
Thursday Evenings
6pm - 9pm
Friday Afternoons
2pm - 5pm
BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE
Studio Induction / Orientation sessions:
If you have not yet completed your studio induction session and you are planning to continue coming to Open Studios, please organise 30 minutes with Lisa ASAP. Contact Lisa here
Contact Lisa if you would like to know more Contact lisa here
Scott is always ready to help out with a project.
Looking for a shared woodwork shed in Sydney?
You’ve found it!
The Bakehouse Shed in Marrickville is a space for people with a woodwork project but no space
Or machines, or tools.
It's even for people with no skills and a vague idea about what end of a hammer to hold.
Get in touch with Scott at to discuss your project: thebakehouseshed@gmail.com