Handmade Wood Fired Pottery – by Tonky – Coming Soon

Friday, May 27th, 2011 | Tonky Hand Made, Tonky Hardgoods, Uncategorized | No Comments

Hello all,

I have some new hand-made ceramics to show you. Recently unloaded a wood-fired kiln up in Cold Spring, NY. Did a little photo shoot last weekend and will share those images soon. Everything will be available for purchase at my ETSY store and also in person this summer at the Brooklyn Flea.

Ceramic sculptor, Tony Moore, fires his two-chambered kiln four times a year. The first chamber is called the ”Anagama” and the second the ”Noborigama.” The kiln burns 3.5 cords of wood over 4 days and takes 12 days to cool. The resulting pots are mind numbingly delicious.

In Moore’s own words:
” I wood-fire my works to give a natural wood ash patina and fire color to their forms. In orchestrating and running a kiln for a community of ceramic artists and potters there is a comaradery and exchange of information which brings a collective dynamism to the whole process. One’s labor and insights are exchanged for the good of one’s art and the kiln. ”

Shown above we see Tony Moore stoking the kiln and  the pyrometric cone packs (BEFORE and AFTER ).

Pyrometric cones are calibrated to bend then melt at different temperatures so these packs are placed throughout the kiln so Tony can carefully monitor conditions. If parts of the kiln are underfired the glazes won’t melt properly; if overtfired the glazes can run and pots can collapse. Firing a kiln correctly is an exacting art and a poetic science.

Stay tuned!
-Tonky

Salivating In Seattle

Saturday, April 16th, 2011 | Pop Culture Notions, edibles | No Comments

If you find yourself in Seattle, let me suggest two destinations that will maximize your gustatory pleasure.

Shown above :
1) Grapefruit Parfait topped with wasabi dots and grapefruit glass
We finished our meal at Canlis with this scrump-cialescent creation of Chef Jason Franey. Canlis is a 60 year old Seattle institution that has been taken to new heights with Chef Jason at the helm. In fact, his hard work was just recognized with Food and Wine’s 2011 “Best New Chef” award.

2) Guanciale – (unsmoked, cured pork jowl)
From Salumi Artisan Cured Meats in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square district.  Salumi was founded in 1903 by Armandino Batali, father of the world famous chef Mario Batali.

On site, we enjoyed grilled cotto salame sandwiches lathered in a spicy and oily garlic puree. I brought the Guanciale back to my friend’s house and cooked it the next morning. Fried it crispy like bacon and enjoyed along side parmesan reggiano strips, scrambled eggs, sourdough toast, fried cherry tomatoes, coffee, and fresh OJ!

YUM,
-Tonky

Tonky Art Show @ Tea Lounge | Opening Party Monday, March 7th 5-8 PM

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 | Events & Openings, Tonky Limited Editions | No Comments

Citizens,

It took five days, but I’ve finally bounced back from an all-night push to finish some killer new work and to install it at the Tea Lounge here in Brooklyn.

Come check it out and celebrate the end of the weekend this Monday from 5-8pm and stay to hear the SIXTEEN PIECE jazz ensemble led by Russ Flynn at 9pm. From what I’ve heard it should be new, groovin, and loud!
(www.russflynnmusic.com/live/)

The Tea Lounge has a full bar and transforms into an event space after dark. Lots of room and tons of comfy couches.
$3 Beers | $4 Wine

WHAT:
Tonky’s Art Opening

WHEN:
Monday, March 7th  5-8 PM
Live Music at 9PM

WHERE:
Tea Lounge (google map)
837 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Hope to see you there!
-Tonky

Thanks to Ben Toht of the Saline Project for help with the poster.

Justin Beaver | Limited Edition Print

Friday, December 3rd, 2010 | Contemporary Art, Pop Culture Notions, Tonky Graphic Design, Tonky Limited Editions | No Comments

Just in time for your holiday gift giving, I’ve completed my limited edition Justin Beaver Print.

Little is know about the North American Justin Beaver other than:

- He has beautiful hair
- He sings purty
- He chews down trees to build his sub-aquatic home
- His last name rhymes with Bieber

Supplies are limited and priced to sell at $30. See more pics and purchase online here:
Justin Beaver Limited Edition Print.

thanks!
-Tonky

The Nature of College by James J. Farrell | Milkweed Editions

Thursday, November 4th, 2010 | Pop Culture Notions, Power & Politics, Tonky Graphic Design | No Comments

Check out the cover I designed for the book The Nature of College by James Farrell.
The Nature of College | $16 | Milkweed Editions
It’s a very nice read and especially worth buying for people in or entering college.

I pitched various ideas to the publisher Milkweed Editions and they went with the “Modern Day Vanitas” concept.

Each chapter sheds light on a different aspects of college life: The Nature of Parties, The Nature of Sex and (Sometimes) Love, The Nature of Politics, etc.

So I created an allegorical still life, much like the Dutch ‘vanitas’ paintings. In this modern day example, each object symbolizes a different facet of the book’s contents. Special thanks to Ward Yoshimoto who photographed the still life for me. The raw hi-res image is simply gorgeous.

enjoy,
Tonky

The still life wraps around the spine and back. Here is the full spread sans text and title.

New vs. Old and Consumer Loyalty

Thursday, November 4th, 2010 | Pop Culture Notions | No Comments

I recently purchased identical new versions of two products that have served me well. Both were durable and exactly what I needed in terms of style and function.

- New Balance 990 Sneakers
- Perry Ellis Bi-Fold Wallet

The New vs. Old picture is fun and so I  wanted to share it.

Let’s also think for a moment about good design vs. planned obsolescence. Many companies sell new product lines by focusing on how the old version is no longer worth owning. In truth, innovation doesn’t happen as fast as they would have you believe. As consumers become more and more savvy, I hope corporations will focus more on research & development as opposed to the smoke and mirrors of marketing.

-Tonky

VOTE Today – Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 | Power & Politics | No Comments

Civic Duty Y’all. Get on out to the polls!

The image above is a crop from a much larger image I made for the cover of a newly published book called “The Nature of College” by James J. Farrell. Just $16 at Milkweed Editions: The Nature of College

I’ll post the full cover design this week if you promise to VOTE!

-Tonky