WHAT'S UP

Upcoming Events

Art Mart Winter Sale I Ames, IA I November 29, 30, and Dec 1 I 10-5, 10-8, 10-1

Thanks Morning Bell Coffee for giving me the caffeine push to get these pots done! 9/26/20

Added some more Tamaskan art to my Etsy! Thanks @lupa.the.tamaskan for sharing my stuff with all your friends 😁 You can search for specific things on my Etsy page, so if you type in “Tamaskan” all the Tamaskan paraphernalia will come up 😆 9/25/20

I took my mask off only to take this photo and sip some coffee ☕️😷 9/18/20

Support provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts. 9/18/20

Got my paintings up on display at Morning Bell Coffee Roasters today - middle of October Thanks Art Vacancy 🎨☕️ 9/18/20

Plabowls galore! 9/14/20

Going full ahead with some new candles! Check them out on my Etsy page. 9/7/20

Muta likes to be wherever I'm working. 8/27/20

My Etsy is finally back up and running! Pottery, pillows, stickers, coloring books, etc. Check it out. Start thinking about Christmas ;) 8/26/20

Property Portrait at Hillcrest I did this symbolic acreage portrait of my parents farm, the farm my brothers and I grew up on. This way we can always remember the farm the way we see it. Where the pasture is, the pond, the alfalfa fields, etc. It’s better than an aerial photograph because it captures everything the way we pictured it. Acrylic paint on canvas 24”x30” 8/15/20

The painting I did of my cousin's adorable cat has to be the first this on display in their new house! 8/14/20

Iowa derecho knocked our power out for 30ish hours, but that didn't stop me from painting late into the night! 8/10/20

So true xD 8/8/20

Adding handles to mugs. 8/7/20

Muta has found a sleeping spot on my business storage shelf. I find him there often. 8/6/20

Developing a clear finish to put on my paintings to help protect them. 7/28/20

Testing out a new candle! Hopefully have some available soon. 7/21/20

Thanks to Z Magazine for sharing my photo on Instagram! 7/10/20

Sometimes I just throw colors in when I'm mixing, no thought, just impulse. 7/9/20

Some new greeting cards available! $3 each 7/6/20

Berry bowl in use with some homegrown blueberries! 6/20/20

Testing how hot my tumblers get with coffee in them. Not too bad, might need a little crochet koozie, haha. 6/14/20

Always love getting photos from people using my pottery. Those strawberries couldn't look any more delicious! 6/7/20

In-process cat painting. 6/3/20

Pillows are still available on request. Send me a message and I can put any of my paintings on a pillow. Three sizes available. 5/26/20

Made this special bowl for my disc golf guy. Still love doing special stuff like this outside of my regular work! 5/23/20

Handmade postcard swap through the Octagon Center for the Arts. Fun time making this colored pencil Totoro! 4/30/20

Fun contest to participate in on social media. Keep an eye out for another one in the future! 4/11/20

Even though most of my shows this summer have been cancelled, I'm still making pots. Message/email me if you're interested in a custom order! 4/10/20

Cute canvas prints of all my cat images for the super cat fan out there. 4/2/20

New jar style available. Really loving this design, and can't wait to glaze and decal them. 3/30/20

Very fitting for the time, plus I love Edward Hopper paintings. 3/25/20

New sticker designs available! Message/email me to place an order. 3/14/20

Octagon's Business of Art Conference at the beginning of March before everything went down, so glad we still had it. It was a great opportunity to learn, share, and network. I participated in the ISU Workspace's Throwing Challenge, judged by the great Jonathan Castro. I made it to the final round, but did not walk away with the win. Hope to see this conference and event happen again next year! 3/7/20

I put up a display at the Indianola Public library for the month of March. It got cut short due to a certain virus, but still glad some people got to enjoy my work. 3/1/20

I was the artist of the month at the Octagon Gallery Shop in Ames, IA for the month of February. All of my work was 15% off, and I even did a decal application demo one night. Great opportunity to share my knowledge thanks to the Octagon. 2/20/20

Just a great quote from my Grandma's bulletin board. 1/15/20

I have pillow available! Message/email me if you're interested in ordering one. I can put any of my images on the pillows. 1/10/20

Beautiful cat!! 12/25/19

Iowa State University student, Emily, displays her senior work at the CASA gallery. 12/9/19

My friends laid goggly eyes on the painting of their dog. They fit perfectly, too funny! xD 12/8/19

CASA's winter Holiday Sale and Open House! 12/8/19

Great little piece on local Indianola artists, including me. Thanks for the support! 12/1/19

CASA celebrates December birthdays at Taste Place. 11/14/19

I am in love with this vase. 11/9/19

I am at the Waterloo Arts Center for their annual Holiday Art Festival. Come check it out this Saturday and Sunday. 11/9/19

My finished vase from Ruben's class. 11/7/19

My favorite paintbrush. 10/30/19

Anna demos throwing to the students from Gilbert Highschool. 10/29/19

CASA is hosting the Ames High School art class. Demoing a raku firing with some of the students work. 10/24/19

At the Des Moines Pet Expo this weekend, and Molly got a participation ribbon for eating a treat. xD 10/20/19

Taking a hand building vase class from my studio-mate, Ruben. 10/18/19

My baby boy Muta turned 1 and he got a special portrait done. 10/17/19

I get to do a personal ceramic project every now and then. 10/14/19

Ames Artists' Studio Tour Gallery Show at the CASA Gallery. On display from October 4-6. Showcasing all of the participating artists in the studio tour. 10/4/19

West Elm Pop Up set up, can't wait to do it again. 9/28/19

The coloring books are in and will be sent out to everyone that got their orders in early! 9/24/19

I will be at West Elm in the East Village of Des Moines on Saturday, September 28 from 10 am - 2 pm. 9/23/19

I am at the Octagon Arts Festival. September 22, 10 am - 4 pm. 9/22/19

Just had to share. 9/20/19

I will be at the Des Moines Pet Expo for the first time! Bring your dogs! 9/13/19

Get your order in for the new Felidae Cats Coloring Book. Special deal available now! 9/11/19

Process: planning out my Llama painting. 9/10/19

Process: trimming berry bowls. 9/1/19

My pottery made it on the cover of this local Ames magazine, promoting the Octagon Arts Festival in September. 8/30/19

New Brown Tabby Cat stickers. 8/5/19

Doing sticker inventory, sticker, sticker, sticker. 8/5/19

Muta is helping me with greeting card inventory. 8/2/19

New greeting cards available. Love, love, love the strawberry. 7/31/19

30% off table at my annual Pop-Up sale in Indianola! 7/23/19

Marshalltown Art Festival Little windy this year, but excited for next year! 7/20/19

Anything can be a planter in the eyes of a plant enthusiast. 7/15/19

NEW Berry Bowls!! Cat Face, strawberries, and crows, all available upon request. 7/13/19

Artfest Midwest at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Great two day show, this was my first year participating, and I will be there again next year. 6/29/19

First time in Burlington, IA 6/16/19

Downtown Ames Art Walk. I was at the Chocolaterie Stam again for the 4th year in a row! 6/8/19

First time at the Valley Junction Art Festival. Little rainy, but turned out to be a great show. Love the old historical Valley Junction. See you next year! 5/19/19

Market Day Sale set up. First official show of the season. Next Market Day Sale is in December. 5/11/19

Come check out all the new junk! 5/8/19

"Now I just have to Decal all of that in the next 2 days" 14 hour work day 5/5/19

In the photo booth. 4/30/19

Have a small set up at the Johnston Library for the month of May. Really beautiful and modern library. 4/30/19

CASA Gallery All Member Spring Show set up. Thanks to all the CASA members who helped get this set up and looking so good! Great show! 4/27/19

Just messing around in the studio. 4/26/19

First showing of my Claire painting. It was very interesting applying my painting technique to a portrait. 4/26/19

The premier of my new pottery series. Lots of pastels and a touch of yellow! 4/26/19

Just finished getting everything set up. Can't wait to see you all there this Friday for the reception. 4/24/19

Decal firing in process. 4/19/19

Get the new series all figured out. 4/11/19

How I feel every time I start a kiln. 4/4/19

Watching Jeff Oestreich and Aysha Peltz demo at the National Ceramics Conference in Minneapolis. 3/29/19

Snooping around the ceramics department in Minneapolis with the Iowa State ceramic's students. 3/27/19

Working with the Iowa State Ceramics department, testing a whole bunch of glazes! 3/10/19

The advantages of being a potter: lots of dishes laying around to be used. 3/2/19

The first round of stuff thrown this year. 1/30/19

Great day at Ichibancon in NC, meeting Steve Blum, voice of many great characters. I got to meet Blum and have him sign this painting I did originally back in 2009 (redefining it in 2018). Now this painting has to be worth something, right? haha 1/12/19

Market Day Spring Sale announced! I will be there! 1/7/19

Late night in the studio. 12/29/18

So glad people like the new stickers! 12/27/18

Thanks to my supportive customers who post about what they've done with their Caroline Freese Designs products! 12/7/18

Getting wood at Hutcheson Lumber. Getting ready for more paintings. 12/14/18

It's getting festive in the Freese house! 12/8/18

Set up at the Thieves Market in Iowa City this weekend! 12/1/18

Setting up during the winter Art Mart Sale at the Iowa State Memorial Union 11/29/18

Love seeing what my friends do with their pots! 11/23/18

Well this decal ended up a little demonic. 11/21/18

Art on the Prairie in Perry, IA. 11/10/18

Help! We're drowning! #decalprocess 10/23/18

Decal application demo at the Ames Area Studio Tour. 10/6/18

Plabowl throwing demo during the Ames Area Studio Tour. 10/6/18

Family and friends visiting during the Ames Area Studio Tour. 10/6/18

Ames Area Studio Tour 2018, October 6 and 7, 10-4pm and 12-4pm. I'll be located at CASA (Creative Artists' Studios of Ames). 10/3/18

Edina Fall into the Arts 2018. Great show, beautiful location! 9/8/18

Iowa winter is coming. 9/4/18

Stickers? I think yes! 8/20/18

Mugs mugs mugs 8/15/18

Just an example of my coloring page/decal creation process for flowers. Taking photos from my mom's garden or photos taken at botanical gardens. Then creating the outline of petals and other details using illustrator. Then just a fun example of coloring it back in! 8/14/18

Just hanging out in the studio! Count down to Edina 8/13/18

I will be teaching a Paper Sunflower Class at the Workspace this fall, September 4 and 11, 6:30-8:30pm! 8/13/18

Spoooooooon rests, one for me pleaze..... 8/10/18

What a beautiful day 7/29/18

Pop up sale on my parent's front yard! Any purchase comes with free tomatoes from my mom's garden! 7/29/18

Waukee Art Festival 7/14/18

Succulent Planter 7/12/18

Sneak peak of a future project?? 7/8/18

Reiman Garden Art Fair, next to the butterfly room. 7/8/18

Some new decals, ready for application. 7/7/18

Before and after glaze fire. Amazing what 2175 F will do. :P 6/16/18

Doing a lot of glaze testing before I glaze my big pieces. (Featured on cart behind.) 6/15/18

I look so hip when mixing glazes. haha Safety First. 6/14/18

I'm really into making plabowls, if you couldn't tell. 6/7/18

Love seeing my family enjoying my pottery! Tea Time! 6/2/18

Adele Clay Festival, first real booth set up. 5/12/18

Giant Mugs for sale on Etsy. 5/11/18

You have to love that nice ochre color. 5/7/18

Get your mug on. 4/29/18

Just sitting here waiting for spring to come. 4/15/18

Decal firing ready to go. 4/4/18

All I have done is glaze, glaze, glaze. 3/29/18

Loading a bisque firing is the real life Tetris. 3/23/18

I have always been inspired by Miyazaki's work. I couldn't help myself with this Totoro cookie jar! 3/13/18

Paper flowers for days! I'll be selling paper roses at my spring and summer sales. $4 each or 2 for $6 3/8/18

All the teapots lined up on the top shelf, ready to be glazed. 3/4/18

Thanks to Erin Carpenter for demoing to the ISU ceramics department. It's always refreshing to see the success of a fellow Ames potter. 3/3/18

Tea anyone? 3/1/18

Ready for a bisque load. 2/28/18

I think something came over me. ha 2/24/18

My new tool. 2/21/18

CASA is busy, busy, busy. Everyone is getting their teapots ready for the CASA All Member Show, "Tea Time." Reception is Friday, April 13 from 5-7pm. 2/19/18

Working on making steins, also known as large mugs! 2/8/18

Makin' teapots 2/3/18

My first glaze firing here at CASA, more to come. 2/3/18

My first teapots, ever! 1/25/18

And I'm officially back in the ceramics studio, finally! 1/16/18

Paper flower bouquet for my mom. 1/19/18

Working on a new project: Paper Flowers. I will be teaching a class on them at the Workspace in Ames. Check out the Workspace's website to sign up for classes! 1/9/18

My donation of $97 to Kiya Koda made it into the Indianola Record Herald! 12/20/17

I am so excited to announce that I have successfully published my very first coloring book, based on my original paintings! It is available to purchase on Amazon, and can get to you before Christmas! It will also be available on my Etsy page after Christmas. I'm hoping to make more coloring books in the future, yay! 12/9/17

Finally got them in, just in time! 11/24/17

It's amazing to look back on my growth over two years. 11/15/17

Maybe I should have gone into costume design, haha! My Sansa Stark costume from Halloween this year. LOVED IT! 10/31/17

10/7/17

Photographing my new greeting cards. I'm even impressed with myself today. 10/1/17

Vase to planter in one swift motion. 9/30/17

Fashioned these family license plates for display. 9/23/17

Designed and painted this baby room, and oh man I am in LOVE! Inspired by Miyazaki's fabulous animated movies, and Avatar the last Airbender, all the characters are on removable canvases. Hoping I can design something like this again! 9/15/17

A dog is always part of the family. 8/9/17

My current studio space. Something is about to happen! 8/4/17

Hello from the Midwest! 7/4/17

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see me at the Ames Downtown Art Walk. I was graciously hosted by the Chocolaterie Stam again! 6/2/17

The Indianola Veterinary Clinic has a new addition to their Caroline Freese Designs collection. Dog Animal Boards are also still available for purchase in the main lobby. 6/6/17

The jewelry project is now on display at the Indianola Vet Clinic. 6/6/17

The vet clinic cat has claimed my button basket! Buttons and magnets for sale at the Indianola Veterinary Clinic. $2 each with 50% proceeds to Kiya Koda Humane Society. 6/6/17

Made my first donation to the Indianola Humane Society, Kiya Koda. For the past couple months I have been selling buttons and magnets at the Indianola Veterinary Clinic with 50% proceeds to Kiya Koda. This venture exceeded my expectations, and I'm so great full to everyone who bought one, and to the employees at both the vet clinic and Kiya Koda! This is a photo of one of the many wonderful cats at the shelter, and the youngest volunteer there! 6/6/17

Finally made it back to the blue skies and green fields of Iowa. My car is loaded with my spring collection! 5/29/17

A new project? 5/24/17

Made these critters for my favorite critters! 5/21/17

Getting to know one of my clients here in Cali. 5/5/17

Beginning of the Chroma Grove series, more to come in the future! 3/14/17

Bring a little nature into your home! 3/11/17

Painted the Delay logo on this giant old saw. Always something new! 2/15/17

See the resemblance? 2/7/17

Buttons Galore! $1 each 2/8/17

My project, Life Experience, was on display at the 49th Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood, National All-Media Exhibit. 1/27/17

Learning how to use an embroider machine with my aunt Verna, in Sherman, Texas. 1/17/17

Love seeing how people display their Animal Boards. Send me your photos! 2/3/17

New animal boards for sale at the Indianola Veterinary Clinic. 1/2/17

Working on orders over the holidays. 12/31/16

I finished a portrait of my best friend earlier this fall, and finally got to show it to her and her family! Titled: Life Experience, made out of old jewelry. It's amazing what wonderful inspiration Lauren Engley gives me. 11/23/16

Just playing around. Meow 11/19/16

I'm celebrating the completion of my 100th Animal Board! Many more to come! 11/13/16

I've been working on a series of Animal Boards titled the Endangered Species Series. They're animals that fall on the list between Least Concern - Extinct. Each painting has an information card on the backside with fun information on the animal. The series was inspired by one of my favorite shows, Planet Earth. 11/12/16

Order your own Animal Shadow Box. LIMITED time only, so message me with your animal request! Exotic or pets, I can do anything, and they make great gifts. Prices start at $90. 10/11/16

I love being able to give personalized gifts to family. Happy 21st birthday!

A hedge hog for my cousin's August birthday, so glad I could be there!

I have officially started my post graduation traveling! I will be in Maryland, North Carolina, Texas, Colorado, and California for the next year. My goal is to visit schools, companies, artist, and most importantly, family. If you have any recommendations of places I should visit (art related or not) please let me know!

Sold work at the annual Ames Downtown Art Walk, June 4, 2016! Chocolaterie Stam was a great host, and I hope to do it again.

Here are some process photos of my most recent project made of magazine pieces. Personality Check.

Skittles Self-Portrait Focus Grant project funded through Iowa State University. Completed in July 2015, this 5' x 5' portrait is made up of over 20,000 Skittles. The project was on display at Iowa State's Memorial Union in April 2016.

© 2020 Caroline Freese Designs   I   Ames, Iowa

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Spoooooooon rests, one for me pleaze..... 8/10/18