It's Marc Rosenthal's Blog!

I’ve been pretty busy over the last several months and the blog has been rather quiet. After a five week trip this summer exploring the Rockies, I’ve returned with many photographs, drawings, and much inspiration. In 2017 my focus was on the Texas Wildflower series in which bud vases and plates figured prominently. This year I’ve had more opportunities to explore back roads around Texas and embrace the roadrunner muse who visited our place last winter.

The back roads will always draw me and each time we take a drive a new one brings excitement. We’ve also been out in the back country with two trips to Big Bend, earlier in the year to the Ranch (now known as a state park) and just returned last week from backpacking in the Mule Ears area as well as a nice hike on the Window Trail in Big Bend National Park. Some of you (you know who you are) are saying that there will be more plates and platters coming from these photos. Yes, that’s true but there are some other ideas besides plates I’m working through and you will just have to be patient for them.

It’s the ninth of December and I’m up to my own “ears” in work in the studio with many new projects in progress. I’m back to work on lots of functional ware but I’m also working on my sculptures. I might post a photo your way as these progress. The Raku kiln will finally be up and running, hopefully before end of December, a perfect time to be firing.  It’s getting cold! Also, I’m looking for another larger used electric kiln to convert into a high fire gas kiln, so that hunt has begun.

Last year I almost completely sold out all items in the Texas Wildflower series but there are still a few left. There are also new plates for the ongoing series, Texas Back Roads, and more bird plates. By the way, if you’re scratching your head wondering what the word “scgrafito” means it relates to the technique of carving through layers of glaze so that the surface color of the clay is revealed. A very interesting and challenging process!

Please note prices shown do not include shipping. If you’re out of state, there’s no sales tax. I ship all over the US but may take a little time for an international shipment. If you wish to visit the studio to purchase, email me for an appointment. Purchases of my work are not done through the site. In future I may open an Etsy shop to allow for a secure payment online but I’m just not there yet. I can take a credit card over the phone using square. For further details, make a comment as to interest in what item on the blog in the comments section. First come first served!

Happy Holidays to you all!

 

 

 

 

 

I recently completed a very successful firing of twenty five bud vases and several decorative plates (chargers) based on Texas wildflowers.  You will also see another series I’ve started called Power Animals.  Check on the Pottery page for closer look and pricing. Questions? Post at the bottom of the page.  These usually take a day or so for me to review and answer.  Thanks to all of you for interest and support!

Here are some recently finished works.  All works dishwasher and microwave safe.

Many of you have already seen our posts on Facebook about the loss of our son Josh Rosenthal.  He passed away peacefully in his sleep on  January 21, 2016.  He was only 31. Far too soon for him to leave us.  His loss was unexpected and I still can’t believe I will never see him again, at least not in this world.  He would have been proud of how many friends and family honored him  by coming to his funeral in Houston.  I think also he would have been genuinely surprised as he didn’t believe he had that many people who cared about him.  My first wife Ardis, my wife Mary, and I each wrote eulogies we read at his funeral.  I won’t add them here but I can only say they touched upon the story of who he was and what he had always dreamed of, but sadly could not have:  a normal life.  I find solace in knowing that he isn’t hurting anymore and is probably having a great time wherever he is now.  I will  remember the camping trips, the movies we loved, the jokes we shared, and the pleasure of his company.

The recently installed sculpture, “Standing Figure”, is a tribute to Elie Joshua Rosenthal.

 

Hello again friends,

With most of  the holidays behind me I’m continuing rapid progress on new works  in my studio.  My “Walking Man” series is in full swing as I explore figurative subjects with an abstract approach.  Sculptures I sketched out as early as 1988 are now on my radar and I am very excited to bring these into my new body of work.

While my mind continues to move along like a racing engine with multiple stations that lead to many paths in many directions, I remain focused on the inventory that must be made.

If you are interested in purchasing work in time for the holidays there are a still a number of artworks available through the Pottery, Drawings & Prints, and Paintings pages. Painting sizes are approximate unless noted otherwise.  All prices include shipping USA. For questions about any of the works please leave a comment on the appropriate page or email me at:

walkingman.rosenthal@gmail.com

All the best to each of you in the year ahead,

Marc