Christine Pike's Web Log

The Sculpture Lounge

Christine Pike — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:36:00 GMT

Well, flushed with success after the AP summer show - at which I sold four pieces of sculpture - I hot-footed it to Yorkshire for a week-long course in figurative sculpture.

The Sculpture Lounge is just outside Holmfirth (where Last of the Summer Wine is filmed), a lovely corner of the Peak District, and I had been looking forward to taking a course there for ages. Brendan Hesmondhalgh, our tutor, is a very talented sculptor and I have admired his work for ages so I was eager to learn all I could from him. He has a very free and 'sketchy' way with clay, that I love, and I hope to be able to use a similar approach in my own work.

The course subject was farm animals, and I chose to make a goat. I have written a long feature about my adventures with this beast for the Anglian Potters' magazine and I will put a link to it once it has gone to press. For now, though, here is a picture of my completed goat, sculpture at the end of the four days - I am really pleased with him (I think it's a him!):

Anglian Potters' Summer Show in Cambridge

Christine Pike — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:33:00 GMT

Last night I helped out at my first Anglian Potters' show - and I sold one of my sculptures at the private view!! This was my first sale in a gallery environment and I was so surprised and delighted! It was really great to see my work displayed professionally and the AP organizers have done a wonderful job of setting out everybody's work to its best advantage.

The private view was incredibly busy and I didn't move from the wrapping station for over an hour. Apparently they are always like this! It is heartening to know that so many people are keen to support ceramics in Cambridge.

The show runs until August 31st and entry is free, so, if you are in the area, why not pop along? I promise you, the standard of work is very high and all kinds of ceramic work are represented, from wood-fired bowls and mugs, to raku, to slipware, to sculpture, both figurative and abstract. You can find more details here: Anglian Potters

Here is the piece that sold yesterday:

Paul Young, king of the slip trailers!

Christine Pike — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:22:00 GMT

Two weeks ago (yes, I know, I should have written this up sooner!) I went to my first demonstration day as a member of Anglian Potters.

I was keen to attend this one as it was being given by Paul Young, who specializes in slip decorated ware and 17th century-inspired pew figures, like this one:

I first came across Paul's work at Cambridge Contemporary Art gallery, where I work occasionally, and was intrigued that a contemporary potter should be interested in reviving this old English folk art style. In fact, his interest was first piqued when, as a student, he discovered the collection of slipware at the Potteries Museum in Stoke on Trent - "Even now, to see it makes me want to weep", he says.

This visceral reaction to such homely and humble pieces of pottery inspired Paul to create his own work in this style and carry on a tradition that is fast dying out.

It was fascinating to watch Paul at work, deftly building up a design using nothing except an acient slip trailer bound with gaffer tape, and a cocktail stick!

And the finished piece before firing:

Paul is well-known for his candlesticks in the shape of stylised trees and he made one for us at the demonstration:

It took up most of the afternoon and was incredibly detailed, with birds perching in the top of leafy branches. Paul has very steady hands and a lot of patience!!

All in all, it was a great day and very informative. One useful piece of information I picked up from Paul is that he uses a 50:50 mix of white earthenware to grogged stoneware and fires to a maximum of 1120 degreesC. I might try this myself, instead of 100% stoneware, so that I can experiment with all those lovely bright earthenware glazes.

Spring Celebration and First Firing!

Christine Pike — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:12:00 GMT

First of all, let me say a big 'Thank You' to everyone who joined in my latest web update - Spring Celebration. I am delighted to report that all but one of the bears have found new homes. and the little LBS-challenged chap (Last Bear Syndrome) will be going with me to Stratford in June. It is odd how this so frequently happens - I think human beings are often reluctant to buy the last one of anything because they have a psychological fear that there must be something wrong with it - unless it's an Hermes handbag, that is, haha! Fortunately, bears are slow to take offence and are content to wait patiently for 'their' person to come along...

My second piece of news is that I have FINALLY fired my kiln!!! I can't believe that I took delivery of the beastie last October and that it has taken me this long to get enough pieces together to fire. Anyway, I was relatively pleased with the outcome - predicatably, my best piece got ruined by a crappy glaze, but a few things came out ok and I shall not beat myself up too much for a first attempt! I present the best bits for your viewing pleasure:

'Blue Dog', stoneware 7" 'People Watcher II', stoneware 5 1/2"

These next two are in various stages of being finished; 'People Watcher I' is fired but has not been fully glazed yet, and 'Winglets' has not yet been biscuit fired.

'People Watcher I' stoneware 6" 'Winglets', stoneware 14"

If she survives the flames (!), I will post more pictures of Winglets and explain the story behind her title. At the moment I am in bird mode and am wrestling with a cockerel with saggy knees!! I am also working on some cute little birdies which will have a bit of sparkly bling added post firing. They will probably make their debut in my Etsy shop, so watch this space!

New Bears and an Announcement...

Christine Pike — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:31:00 GMT

New bears just delivered to Abracadabra Teddies!! I have always wanted to create a group of bears in just black and white - so classy! These little chaps will be arriving at Abracadabra in the morning - probably with snow on their toes, judging by the weather outside my studio window! Anyway, there is more information about them on my website: www.christinepike.com with a link to Abracadabra.

AND.... I am very proud to announce my first collection for Charlie Bears!!! Charlie Bears is a relatively new, British manufacturer of extremely high quality plush and mohair bears and is currently taking the world by storm. At Spring Fair last week they were singled out for praise as being a great British success and a company to watch for the future - well done Charlotte and her team!!

I have designed five bears for the Spring 2009 catalogue and they are all featured on page 17. The first deliveries should be hitting the shops next week, hurrah! I shall be putting up some pictures on my website shortly but, in the meantime, grab yourself a catalogue and have a drool over all the gorgeous bears (and the odd rabbit, kitten, and puppy).

New Year - New Bear design!

Christine Pike — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:31:00 GMT

I had been mulling over an idea for some time, and then a collector's birthday request gave me the perfect opportunity to try it out:

Meet Harvey - my first Moon Bear with a fully sculpted muzzle and a double neck joint: He stands just shy of twelve inches and is made from a gorgeous black alpaca - his ' crescent moon' insert is mohair. My collector has very kindly said that I can go ahead and make some similar bears to sell, so watch this space - I hope to be taking some to Hugglets next month!!

Mini Mania has one more day to go!!

Christine Pike — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:55:00 GMT

My annual Mini Mania web show has been running all week and almost all of the bears have found new homes.

I have no idea why this gorgeous panda is still looking for his special someone, but maybe he will find the right person before the show ends on Sunday, November 23rd, at 8.00 pm UK time. If not, I will just have to keep him for myself! He will not be offered anywhere else this year, and I will not be putting any more bears up for sale this side of the Hugglets show next February.
So... this is your last chance to adopt a bear before Christmas!)
Seriously, if you want to take a peek at the bears, go to: Mini Mania

Christmas is coming!!

Christine Pike — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:20:00 GMT

Yes, I know it is still only October - but, when you work with shops, you have to start thinking about these things earlier than most mortals and I have already begun on my Christmas orders.

My first official Christmas bear is 'Ursa Major' - 20 inches of pure winter fun and delight. He is off to Bath shortly, to grace the window display at House of Bears...

Abracadabra signing - report!!

Christine Pike — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:01:00 GMT

Oh my goodness!!!!! I have just about recovered from yesterday's signing - which was exhausting, exhilarating, frenetic... and very, very successful!

I was joined by Vicki Allum (Humble Crumble Bears) and Anjo Noija from Holland for this special event and I think our different styles made for a really great mix and provided collectors with a super choice of bears.

I was able to take a few pictures before the show started, but, by the time the doors opened at midday, there was very little chance of doing anything except stand back! I think we were all amazed at the number of lovely people who had queued patiently in the rain, eager to see what we had created for them. Some people knew exactly what they wanted and headed straight for that special bear (or bears), while others preferred to take stock of the whole display before making a decision. And, because the show went live on the internet on the dot of twelve, Marsha was kept incredibly busy tackling the e-mail orders that came flooding in.

We all agreed that more people came to the signing than last year - and it was so nice to have time to chat to people and talk about bears all afternoon. I really feel that special events like these are SO important for connecting artists and collectors and sharing our passion for teddy bears. There really is nothing quite like being able to see and touch the bears and talk to the artists who made them. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Marsha and Malcolm for making the signing happen, and to all the collectors who came to the shop and who logged on to their computers - you made this a wonderful day for everyone!!

Anyway, enough talking - here are some pictures from the signing:

Amixture of some of my minis (left), some of Anjo's and some of Vicki's bears. Nearly all of these bears found new homes!

Mine and Vicki's bears

More of Vicki's bears, with two of my 'smalls'

Marsha checking the e-mail orders as they came in!

One minute after the doors opened!!

More minis - with only hours to go...

Christine Pike — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:41:00 GMT

Before the Big Day!!

I waved off the last of the bears this morning, before they are put on display for tomorrow's signing at Abracadabra.

Here are a couple of them:
This is Morton - another 5 inch bear made from gorgeous Sassy long pile!

                                                                                                                    Love that profile!!!

                     Rory, 4 inches



                                                                                  Victor, 7 inches

I have been asked by several people to make more little bears for this event, so there will be six minis, some smalls, and a couple of bigger bears.

See you there tomorrow!

The Abaracadabra Annual shop signing is nearly here!!

Christine Pike — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Yes folks,
It's that time of year again - and, for me, it's one of the high points of the summer!
For the past three years, Marsha Davison has organised this very special and exclusive signing event; entry is by invitation only and you can sign up for one here: ABRACADABRA

What is unique about this event is that an online 'virtual signing' is run concurrently with the actual signing in the shop. So this means that, if you can't physically get to to the shop, you can still participate and adopt a bear or two - the only thing you can't do is to join us in a cup of coffee and biscuits! When you sign up for your invitation, you will be issued with a password and instructions on how to log in on the day. So get your invite and put the date in your diary: Saturday, June 21st 2008

We like to put out little teasers of some of the bears that will be available - you can see work from all three participating artists on the Abracadabra website, but here are a couple of special little guys I have just finished - two brand new designs in gorgeous smoky long pile fabric...

So new they don't even have names yet!!       These sweet little chaps are five and four inches high, respectively.



More information about my new designs in the next blog update - meanwhile you can check out a few more of the Abracadabra bears on my Preview page

New Etsy shop announcement

Christine Pike — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:05:00 GMT

I am delighted to say that I have now set up a shop on Etsy.com! I have called it 'English Eccentric', because I want to be able to showcase all of the quirky and interesting stuff I make - as well as the bears Right now there is some jewellery and a couple of hand-stitched and bound books. There are more pictures of Julius, too.

Later on I hope to put up some more jewellery pieces and some dolls - but that will have to wait until I can find a good secondhand electric kiln...

Anyway, to see what else I do, go to: www.EnglishEccentric.etsy.com

Be warned - you will need plenty of time to look at all the good stuff on Etsy - there is some seriously great art and design work there. So grab a cup of tea and settle down for a cosy hour of happy surfing!

Countdown to Stratford!

Christine Pike — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:56:00 GMT

There are only two weeks to go until the very first Teddy Bear Artist Event in Stratford, England!!

I have been working like mad and now have ten bears finished - which, for me, is a minor miracle, as I can usually only get about six made before a show.  Maybe my new studio is having a good effect on me as there are fewer distractions - like the computer and the temptation to make a cup of tea every half hour!

Anyway, here is a sneak preview of a few of the bears I shall be taking with me on June 8th:

                                                          Jingles: 17 inches

                                                        Millie: 7 inches

                                                        Julius: 18 inches

House-Warming Party!

Christine Pike — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:23:00 GMT

I am just about to send off my latest little group of bears. They are off to Bath for the 'House of Bears' house-warming party. Formerly 'Party Bears' they have now moved to bigger premises.

If you plan on attending the show I hope you have a great time! Here is a sneak preview of the bears I am sending to the event...


                                            Francois, 7 inches                            Araminta, 12 inches


                                                  Claudine, 5 inches                       Chuckles, 5 inches

Flora

Christine Pike — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:08:00 GMT

My mum turned 70 in February so I thought I really should make her something special to mark the event!

Since I have been practising my sculpting skills, I decided to make use of the college kiln where I spend every Thursday evening at ceramics class.

I adore the work of Dutch doll artists, such as Ankie Daanan, who take their inspiration from old portraits by the Dutch Masters, so I thought I would try something in a similar style.

I was very pleased with how Flora turned out - although, of course, I have a loooong way to go before I get to be anywhere near as good as my idols, hehe! For those of you who are interested in the technical bits, I sculpted Flora's head and limbs in paper clay, which were then bisque fired. Here elaborate hairstyle is made out of Apoxie Clay. Her features were painted with artist acrylics, including her eyes, and she is constructed on a cloth body and wire armature.

I found that I particularly enjoyed sculpting the feet, not sure why! But I deliberately left her without shoes, so that I could show them off.

Teddy Bear Artist Event ; Stratford-upon-Avon

Christine Pike — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:56:00 GMT

Gosh, it seems ages since I have written anything! In my defence, I have beeen very, very busy... with a secret project that may or may not bear fruit in the next few months. Can't say more at this stage, so you will just have to be patient

However, I can reveal my auction bear for the up-coming teddy bear event at Stratford-upon-Avon on June 8th.

His name is Marmaduke and he stands at 16 inches. This is a hefty chap, since I filled him with crushed mineral sand (the filling is encased in little muslin bags, so there is no risk of leakage!).

This will be a silent auction, in aid of the British Heart Foundation - a very worthy cause, I am sure you'll agree!

If you would like more information about the show, there is a link from my website here: Christine Pike

New bears have arrived at Abracadabra!

Christine Pike — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:48:00 GMT

Following on from my Eureka Moment regarding the direct sculpting process, I have been quite prolific and am now working on my fourth bear in this style. Two have just arrived at Abracadabra Teddies in Saffron Walden and will be on Marsha's website later this week.

You can find them at: www.abracadabra-teddies.com

Here is a sneak preview of 'the boys':

On a Roll Now!!

Christine Pike — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:57:00 GMT

Well, after creating Otto, I thought I would give myself a really hard time and try to make a similar bear - but only 4 1/2 inches high.

Tadah!!! Meet Harvey - who will soon be off to Abracadabra Teddies in Saffron Walden, along with a few friends.

These pictures show him slightly bigger than actual size.

A New Year - a Radical New Design!

Christine Pike — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:37:00 GMT

People say you should never go back... I agree with this, in principle - UNLESS you can go back and improve on the past!

Well, I think I have finally achieved something I have wanted to do since I began making aretist bears nearly fifteen years ago. Back then, my first bears had faces sculpted from polymer clay, because I was aiming for something that looked semi-realistic but cute - and gave me a perfect outlet for my sculpting skills.

Times have changed and materials - and my skills have moved on and improved. I was never entirely pleased with the way the clay met the fur in an artificial join, but could not figure out a way to make the progression from fur to skin look more natural. But now I have discovered a fantastic epoxy clay that is used by taxidermists and sculptors. After some trial and error, and a bit of research, I am proud to present the first of my newest design:
This is Otto, and he stands around 14 inches high.

I created this much more natural look by making the fur head first, and then sculpting a muzzle directly onto the fur - it takes nerves of steel and some skill to get the clay to go where you want it (and not everywhere else!) and you have to have a very clear vision of what you want to achievem as the poor bear looks like an alien during the construction of the face. Once I was happy with the shape, I let the compound cure and then I painted many thin layers of acrylic paint onto the muzzle to make it look like skin. I added a little more fur here and there, to give a downy appearance - and voila! I am so pleased with the way Otto turned out, I plan to take him to the Hugglets show next month...

Christine

Straw Bear Festival

Christine Pike — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:36:00 GMT

What in the world is a Straw Bear Festival?? You may well ask!
Ever since moving to East Anglia last summer, I have wanted to witness this event - the last remaining straw bear festival in England, which takes place every January, in Whittlesey*, near Peterborough.

Believe me, nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of the 'Bear', which looks more like a moving haystack. Mind you, after a while, you do start to see it as a lumbering, dancing bear, accompanied by its 'handler' and a motley array of Molly dancers, Morris men, and blokes (it is mostly men!) in makeup and strange costumes.



        The Straw Bear in all his glory!                                       Part of the procession of different bands of 'Molly Men'

The bear and his entourage process around the town at various times throughout the day, chased by spectators (and plenty of local press), eager to get their own pictures and lasting mementoes of the day.

The event harks back to the days when agricultural work was scarce in the winter and so farm labourers would beg door to door for money - the various 'Plough Monday' festivals around the country were a form of organised begging. The Straw Bear festival at Whittlesey is the last of its kind in England and the tradition was only revived in the 1980s. Although it no longer provides for farm workers scraping through the winter, it still makes a bright splash of colour and zest for life during the dark days of January - and certainly gives a boost to the local economy, since all the hotels and B&Bs get booked up months in advance and the local pubs and cafes do brisk business throughout the three day festival.


              The German bear, from Walldurn (twinned with Whittlesey), getting decidedly frisky with a bystander!
This year, there were three bears - two from the home town, and the German bear, who was clearly out for a good time!

There is real ale a-plently, good food, a wonderful spectacle, and a great vibe to the whole event - there is story-telling, barn dancing, various styles of Molly/Morris dancing, and the 'bear' is given a final, dignified sendoff on the Sunday, when the costume is ceremoniously burnt.

I tell you folks, it made me proud to be English - this is possibly one of the few remaining genuine rural spectacles to be had in England. this is no 'Disneyfication' of Merrie Olde Englande; this is the real deal, and - believe me - the participants take it VERY seriously! There is no limp-wristed flapping of handkerchiefs and skipping like girlies - these Molly Men mean business and you are never quite sure whether they are dancing or fighting with each other.


            The 'Squire' of Bourne Borderes Morris Dancers - a really friendly and knowledgeable guy!

Having said that - and, given the amount of real ale flowing through out the three days - the atmosphere is extremely friendly and perfect for a family day out. The event is very well-organised and policed, and everyone is exceedingly good-natured. If you have never been to the Straw Bear Festival, and you find yourself within hailing distance of Whittlesey next January, then, beg a car, hitch a lift, buy a train ticket - do whatever you have to, but GO! This is one event you won't want to miss!!

*Although the town is called Whittlesey, the festival uses the older spelling of 'Whittlesea' - if you google this you will find all sorts of information, and the history of the Straw Bear Festival.

** A full feature on the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival will appear later in the year in Teddy Bear & Friends magazine.