Cory McCrory Flower Bird Ring

Hi all--

I featured ceramic artist, Cory McCrory on this blog in January of this year.  Click here  for further examples of her awesome creations on Pinterest.

Below is a ring of hers that I'm wearing.  I think it's super coolio, just like her!

Dreama Johnson Kattenbraker

  

Meet the dreamy, beautiful, edgy work of Dreama Johnson Kattenbraker.  I met Dreama back in '97 or '99 at the Naperville Riverwalk where I fell in love with a woman's ceramic head that she had made.  I wanted it so much, but it was out of my budget.  I have utterly regretted not getting that piece of artwork to this day!! (There's a lesson here of course--if you ever love a piece of art, no matter what--get it!  It's one of those things that beautifies your life and soul for the remainder of your days on earth!)

Years later I asked Dreama if she still had it, but it had been broken in an accident.  Sob!  If only I had sent her bi-weekly checks for $20 for awhile!





It was a little like this piece...hmm, a little bit:


Anyway, Dreama, like her art is beautiful, intelligent, complex, creative, and a staunch animal lover.   The next time I ran into her she was showing her art at the Peoria Art Fair (you may not know it, but the shows I listed are some of the highest-rated fairs in the country-that's how good she is.)

Earlier that day I had just rescued a cat, and as we talked about our day, I mentioned it to Dreama.  What does she do, but sell me 2 beautiful goblets for a hugely discounted price for the good deed!  I have never forgotten her kindness.  I wanted to post the two goblets here, but I have them at my mom's house where we used them as guests at a tea party.  I'll update this post as soon as I get a snap of them.)  Here's a sample of her work:

 

Here's another favorite of mine--so, so beautiful!

I initially only knew Dreama as a ceramacist, but she is a painter as well.  To see more of her work, visit her Facebook page here.

Her son, Scott Kattenbraker, is also an artist, as is her daughter-in-law, Lisa Telling Kattenbraker.  It's a family affair!!  Which....makes me think of this:

Sly and the Family Stone - "Family Affair"

Cory McCrory

An artist friend of mine tagged me on Facebook to show 3 pieces of my art for 5 days.  Instead, I thought I would write a post on her!

I first spotted ceramic artist, Cory McCrory, at a Chicago-area art fair.  Don't you love that rhyming name?  She had won a first place blue ribbon for "Best in Show," an award she wins quite frequently.  I know I completely agreed with the judges--I spent more time at her booth than any other.  Unfortunately I was out of dough by the time I spotted her, and she was swarmed with people so I didn't get a chance to speak to her either.

A year or two later, or local art league featured her as a speaker!  Unbelievable!  My work schedule totally conflicted with her arrival, but I begged and cajoled and finally got my shift switched.

Cory is originally from Connecticut and somehow landed in the Midwest.  She is down-to-earth and generous in sharing her technique.  Cory makes the most amazing, Willy-Wonky-Dr.-Seuss-like-beautiful-crazy teapots you have ever seen!  Here's her Pinterest site to follow her.

Anyway, here's the vase and head that I bought from her that night--I couldn't let it get past me, I loved it so much!  Aren't they fantastic?!?!?

This past November, I went to another Cory show, this one featuring about 5 other artists all showing together in a farmhouse, owned by one of them. (I bought items from 3 or the 5 of them--it was a great show!  I met a lovely English artist, Jane, there as well.) My husband and I had dropped some of my paintings off at a gallery by Chicago, and then we found Cory.  Our GPS wasn't working too well around there...good thing Kennyman knows what I call, directional directions (north, south, east, west...yes, I am incapable of this.  I need people to say, "turn right, turn left.")

If you are familiar with my art at all, I am completely obsessed with eyes.  I don't know why.  Some people collect turtles, you know?  I just happen to love googly eyes, freaky eyes, sad eyes, crazy eyes...well, you get my drift.  Needless to say, I had to have this wall hanging/butter dish of Cory's.

I also wanted to buy a ring that had a coiled bird coming out of it, but it wasn't the right size.  Eventually that will be on my finger! (-:

Here's her fabu business card.

Some of Cory's teapots.