Posted 12 years ago
agoodworks
(18 items)
It started off simply enough. A $5.00 purchase at a garage sale. The large vase, by California Potter Amy s. Donaldson, was filled with very dirty dried flowers. But I saw the vase. I loved the lines and the color. I brought it home and found out who it was by. I treasure it.
Now it has blossomed into a passion, collection, and dare I say an obsession. I love enamel. I love pottery. I enjoy collecting from mid
century Californian artists.
I love researching and learning from others.
My favorite book ... my bible is Painting with Fire - Masters of Enameling in America 1930=1980 by Bernard Jazzar and Harold Nelson!
I came late to this game but....
I have only begun to scratch the surface.
Wonderful! Do you continue to find them in the wild?
Love enamels myself but don't have many but always on the look out.
Thanks for the book reference, I wish more of us would share "bibles".
Love the Amy Donaldson vase!
AmberRose & Vetraio50,
Thanks for the comments. I really study. I buy old books on ebay written by some of the folks in the "Painting with Fire" book. I then I go on google images and type in the name of the artist. UP comes photos of the pieces. I check out new ones that I have not seen. Buy going to the sites attached to the photo I learn so much. wI I have found some amazing pieces on Etsy and other sites at good prices that way.
I am also on Estate Sale lists in Los Angeles Westside area... where I live. These neighborhoods are filled with people who really lived the modern 60's - 70's life style. Now that they are dying the family doesn't recognize the value of what their parents had. Estate people are slow to recognize enamel and pottery. Mostly because pottery is hard to research artists marks. So... I trust my eye and my reaction to pieces and buy them. Then I research.
I found a incredible pottery piece that is listed in The Smithsonian Permanent Collection. This potter plate is by Raul Coronel. Found it for $10 at a really great estate sale with mostly American antiques.
Here is the Enamel Arts Foundation site: http://www.enamelarts.org/index.php?home
This is the collection of the men who wrote Painting with Fire... my bible.
Amazing amazing collection.
I was lucky enough to have an email for Bernard Jazzar. He encouraged me to buy only pieces that are in excellent condition. On occasion I buy pieces of enamel that I love.. that are damaged. These artists are long dead so I feel that anything that I can get I will treasure.
Can you tell me who made the "ashtray" in the picture on the right? I have one just like it and always wondered. It looks like Raul Coronell but is a little to thick.
Yes it is Raul Coronell. No one wanted it at a garage sale. Lucky to have it.
Thank you for your reply. I also picked mine up at a garage sale. The sale had many Raul Coronell pieces. In fact I picked up a "jeweled village" wall hanging/plaque. The ashtray/dish is not marked though so I wondered.
Good for you and I am so completely jealous!
chilireyno, would you post your pieces? I'd like to see more Coronell.
Here is a great link to read more: http://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t5623p45-raul-coronel
katherinescollections, I just posted the two Raul Coronel pieces I have. Just click on my name and you will get to it.
wowza!! i love these pieces! i'm a big fan of california design, particularly enamel and pottery too - from northern california - oakland. i don't have enough of it, but i keep my eyes peeled. welcome to the cw!
pete