Kathleen R. Jensen
Morning Star Ceramics has been in business for 39 years. I started out as a starry eyed grad student recently married with a wheel and kiln to my name. The desire to “make something” has always followed me. Make a garment, make bread from scratch, sew a quilt, build a cardboard house for the kids, or make a useful ceramic item. I have taught ceramics at the college and high school levels for 20 years. Currently, I teach at Walnut Creek Civic Art in Walnut Creek, California. I enjoy “throwing” at the wheel to make basic shapes, letting the slippery clay glide through my hands to mold some hollow form. I usually do not keep the original form but rework it by cutting, darting, stamping, adding and altering so I end up with something new and full of texture and life. I especially love to hand build so that the form is not symmetrical and a little wonky. Add texture to all of that and you have my work.
A Green Machine
Morning Star Ceramics is a green business. I recycle all clay scraps (the hard way-with patience and sweat), I fire the kiln using solar energy and at the lowest therm rate times. I use recycled bags for my customers and a paperless payment system.
EDUCATION:
Single (Art) & Multiple Subject Credentials, CLAD and supplemental in Life Science, Home Economics and Social Science.
Chapman University, Concord, CA. June 1997
California Lifetime Junior College Teaching Credential May 1976
M.A., California State University, Fresno, CERAMICS and ART, May 1976
B.A., California State University, Fresno, 1973
EXPERIENCE:
2015-present Instructor at Walnut Creek Civic Arts
1998-2011 Instructor in Ceramics at Deer Valley High School, Antioch, CA
1994-1998 Substitute Teacher, Antioch Unified School district
1976-78 Ceramics Instructor, Clovis Adult School
1976-78 Ceramics Instructor, Sanger Senior Center
1978 Ceramics Instructor, Kings River Community College
1974-76 Ceramics Instructor, CSUF
1975-76 Lab Technician, Ceramics, CSUF
1971-72 Teaching Assistant, Ceramics, Kurs Verksamheten Skolan, Uppsala, Sweden
SHOWS and GALLERIES:
2015
Delta Art League show LMC February
Treasure Island Show April
WCCAC Spring Show May
2014
Bedford Gallery Walnut Creek 100 Exhibition, vase and teapot (purchase award)
Orinda Library Gallery, Clay Arts Guild of Walnut Creek, Gargoyle, vases , platters
2008
Lynn House Gallery, Celebration of Art, Tea Pot and Vases (purchase awards)
Los Medanos Art Gallery, High School Instructors Show, cups and bowls
2006
Antioch Historical Museum, Celebration of Art, Gargoyles (purchase award)
2005
Brentwood Business and Technology Incubator, Diego Rivera show, Raku Tea pot
1976
CSUF Art Gallery, Faculty show, Sculptures
CSUF Art Gallery, Masters Show
CSUF Art Gallery, Glass of ’76 blown glass pieces
1975
Fresno Art Center, San Joaquin College Arts Awards
CSUF Art Gallery, Faculty show, Self Portraits
1973
Fresno Art Center, San Joaquin College Arts Awards
San Mateo College Art Gallery, Art Competition (purchase award)
Oakland Museum of Art, Design ’73