Every now and then I get into production mode and I enjoy the feeling of an efficient process along with that brisk feeling of accomplishment with the shelves filling up so fast!

Somewhere in between that continuity, I remembered to take this picture of my table full of mugs and cups that look like a little army...heading to fill the world with caffeine!

Ontario Arts Council grant

I received an OAC grant a few weeks ago! I'm still pinching myself! It's the Access and Career development grant, my first!

As artists, we often go through phases where we question if what we're doing is the right thing, if the struggle is worth it at all...

This grant has given me so much encouragement to continue doing what I do and renewed the belief that it really 'IS' worth it!

Thank you OAC for your continued support of the arts and us artists!

Here's someone you might recognise from months ago! The Spark auction party is fast approaching and even though I loved this little guy I have to let him go...
I decided after much contemplation to create a home for him in a glass dome...as a ring! This is it in progress... I made the silver band ring with help from my fantastic jeweller friend Adriana McNeely, check out her work at http://www.adrianamcneely.com/

At the Gardiner Museum gift shop

I am absolutely thrilled that my functional work is now available at the Gardiner Museum gift shop! I remember my first time at the museum, I was in awe of the place. An entire building dedicated to clay! To have my work in that building is just wonderful :)

I was commissioned by Sarah Richarson Design to create two great big lampbases. They are wheel thrown and I was thrilled to take on the challenge of these pieces that stand almost 3 feet tall. The biggest lesson I learnt was to 'remember' to measure the height of the kiln before I started work on them!
After I loaded them into the kiln came the panic attack with the delivery deadline fast approaching, they were about 4mm too tall... I managed a little trick while the kiln God's laughed!

At Bookhou..

Last month, I was the featured artist at Bookhou. It's a lovely space on Dundas street west and really speaks to the artists, Arounna Khounnoraj and John Booth', aesthetic.

This is a picture of the front window after I just set up the work. I love how, if you stare at this picture long enough you'll see the work of 3 artists, the store name in shadow and (part of) me taking the picture in the reflection!

Mark and Tanya's beautiful studio barn, where 'Sparks' flew!






Fish, our mascot, who loved hugs and warm laps! He's a damn good reason to make that trip to Kingston!

What Katherine painting?!?!!!! :) I chewed her brains till she picked up that paint brush....after 3 years...?

Caitiln Erksine-Smith, in a dungeon, on her knees, doing penance! Some people just work better under pressure!

Kaya, our skunk sprayed fine furry friend, who had to live outside. I sneaked a hug whenever I could hold my breath! Who doesnt want to hug that face?!

Happiness(in a can!) and yes Katherine spent most of her time in front of that laptop to keep the blog updated.

Mark Lewis gave us a demo and then suffered through the heat with all the things we made him make for us. Thanks Mark!

Carolyn Scandiffio, Mark Lewis and snow peas!!

My first flame throwing class with Nadia Tasci, it was a great class! And Shannon Kennedy made the perfect bead like a pro, I on the other hand, made a blue, cock-eyed fish with a large tumor.

Jim Lorriman, our epoxy king!

Katherine and Fish watching the road.

Objects in the mirror....are probably in your car!

All the garden treasures that I was trying to immortalize, using Precious Metal Clay. It was a great workshop that Shannon organised for us!

After the bee, this guy would have been my next immortalization victim, fortunately for him, he was alive!

Spark 2009

I was selected as one of eleven artists to participate in Spark'09, a fundraising event organised by the Ontario Crafts Council.
For this event we were locked in at Beaver Valley Glassworks studio in Kimberley, Ontario, for 72 hours and created collaborative works that are to be auctioned off in the fall to support the OCC.

I was thrilled to be a part of this event and be with ten other gifted crafts people working in various media.
Besides getting the chance to learn from each of them, I got to experience the country for the first time!

My First Blog Entry

I'm Aneela, a ceramic artist, orginally from Mumbai, India, currently living and working in Toronto, Canada. I am currently a resident at Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto.

I have been working with clay for the last 10 years and it won't leave me!

I derive inspiration from my environment, my experiences and the people around me.

My first picture is one of myself packed into the back of a van with my pots, driving to set up for a show. I thought it would be a great picture to start my blogging journey!

I look forward to sharing my work and thoughts and welcome ideas, suggestions and comments!