I do think that ceramics is art - maybe it's the craft in "arts and craft". Utilitarian craft can still be artistic. It has an idea, is given much deliberation. Throwing in functional art definitely changes the discussion.

I also had a thought about Rie Munoz (http://www.riemunoz.com/news.htm) (linked for those not in the know). I think that Rie Munoz is in a Kinkade category. I think what speaks to me about her work is that I'm from Alaska and it reminds me - in a colorful way (important in the grey dreariness of AK) of the places and people there. But otherwise it is just whimsy. Nothing wrong with it, but it is certainly lower down on the art scale for sure. It doesn't really ask anything of me.

It was interesting to be mocking Kinkade, realizing I have two Rie's hanging in my apt.