This summer Is fast on its way out the door and that realization has kicking me into gear. So far this summer I have been working on commissions, carving vases, and getting my fill of silk screening among other things, so strap in for an update!

I just finished a two sets of 12 dishes for Chris Lorenz at Taste, so now they have left the nest and are the backdrop for some amazing food!

I started the summer by starting on this set of dishes, sewing away my free time, and organizing all the notes i took last semester in my sketch book. 

This summer I also finished my first dress, which lead me into the excitement of more sewing projects to come, including skirts,and ringmaster pants. 

seeing the opportunity to explore fabrics further, I applied for the Contextural Fibre Residency that takes place at ACAD, and to my joy I was accepted for the three month residency. Which means I get my own studio space and free reign of the studios in the fibre department!

I've had lots of ideas coming to mind of things I could print, however, I started fleshing out an idea that has been at the back of my mind for quite a while.

I knew that this summer I had a lot of projects that I wanted to work on, including a set of carved pots, so I started throwing steadily larger pieces , and practicing my carving on them. 

Once the first set was fired, I experimented with some of the glazes that the studio had to offer, and I plan to further explore with the next set of pots, which are much bigger than the first set.

If you would like to purchase any of these pots, send me a line at jennifer.hartley42@gmail.com

I am currently making props and printing patches for a story surrounding a gang and their rival. The props will be shown through photographs that will resemble film stills of a film that never existed.

This project will focus on gang culture, youth rebellion, and the absurdity that follows. Some of the props and branding will include made up products like Charades Candy Cigarettes, Yellow Belly Root Beer, Jennifer H's Quality Apple Juice, and Travesty All-Stars Sneakers. Temporary tattoos will also be making an appearance.

If you want to join my gang, drop me a line at jennifer.hartley42@gmail.com I would love to have your help!

I have been posting a lot of photos of ceramics, sculpture and more projects from this past semester, all of which are now up in my portfolio.

This semester was a tough one, where I was transitioning from project-based learning to self-directed studio work. I also had some personal hardships that presented themselves in my life, making it harder to complete school assignments for a number of weeks.

But over all things have gotten much better and I look forward to the new year!

This past semester I sold my work at ACAD's Show and Sale, where I sold 15/20 pieces so THANK YOU for your support and patronage! I had a great time volunteering for the show and it was nice to see so many people attending from outside the school.

I was approached by the Edmonton Potterwatch about a charity silent auction, and they asked If I could make a few Harry Potter props to donate. Harry potter, charity: that is my jam. So I said yes and made the Elder Wand complete with a custom box and certificate, in addition I made a Deathly Hallows Necklace. 

I was then approached by an aquaintence who wanted their own replica wand, which I made and sold to him. 
If you are interested in buying any replica wand, please fill out a Commissions Form. Standard price is $120.

On June 28th 2014, Muse Restaurant and Lounge retired.  Under the watchful eyes of Heather Wighton and JP Pedhirney, Muse saw growth and inspiration that I had the opportunity to witness firsthand over the course of over a year and a half.
I started working there the first week of October 2012 after I had to quit my previous job due to health complications and a week in the hospital. While I was a bit nervous about running back into the working world I needed the money to pay for my education, and I am so happy that I did. I found an ever-changing family at Muse that was bright, passionate, sassy and caring. While washing dishes there for a number of months, I learned about how the kitchen ran smoothly, adopted the chef lingo and started making Vines, Instagraming, and Tweeting a lot more that I had planned!
A few months in I began helping out MacKenzie on the garde manger station, plating salads, charcuterie, hamachi, tartar and shucking oysters, I even learned how to prepare Foie Gras!

Fast-forward a bit and JP asked me to join the kitchen staff, so I grabbed my apron, they hired a new dishwasher and behold I became a cook! I was learning more on that station then I thought possible; it involved a LOT of memorization and muscle memory and I spent a long time trying not to take my mistakes too personally. Mac was patient with me but pushed me hard, which I will be forever grateful for. Life on the Line led to my numerous haircuts (the latest is the closest I will get to the customary fade, promise), and an appreciation for the hard work involved in making a restaurant work.
Working for so long at Muse gave me a pool of inspiration to draw from, and my first piece that entered the restaurant was a pencil crayon drawing I made of JP.
My ability to "Art" in the professional sense soon turned kitchen famous and I was pulled in to do a photo-shoot of the November Truffle Festival tasting menu. I did two sets of photos In total and I was so excited to practice my photography in a comfortable environment.

For Christmas 2013, I had a bunch of extra bowls from a throwing class, so I bought some candy, poured some in each one, wrapped them up and gave them to the kitchen staff. They all loved their bowls so much, that 4 of them were commandeered for the kitchen and they started serving special orders out of them (which I didn't know until much later). The echos of the handmade bowls lingered in the air...
It started with hints and questions, then a sit-down meeting with JP and Heather. A budget was given and I started researching. Lots of hours and a stress-induced IBS flare later and Muse restaurant had 22 custom plates to serve their food on. Plate making continued and I got some studio space at the Northmount Pleasant Art Center as a result.
I was almost finished 2 sets of dishes that Garrett Martin had asked me to make when I got the news that the restaurant was closing.
Needless to say, I was a little heartbroken that our family was going to be split up, however I know that this change is for the best and it will open new doors and opportunities. I can only speak for me, but I am looking forward to what lies ahead.
So what's next?
I am currently dishwashing at The Chicago Chophouse where the plates that I have made are being safely kept until Starbelly opens in the south. I am making a set of 50 dishes for Starbelly at the moment, and I plan to have a ceramic sale in a few weeks at the Triwood Community Center (updates will follow).

Being part of the Muse family has been a blast and I love everyone there to death. The inspirations I gleaned from the atmosphere will influence my future fine art in ways that I can and cannot predict, and I am happy for the friends I have made. You all have been a huge support to me, a thousand thank-you's.