In The Studio: Texture

               The more I work in the clay studio the more cognizant I am becoming about texture- the more I realize how inspired I am- consciously or unconsciously - by texture. My paintings have always been really texture heavy- possibly to make up for the lack of technique- it's always been something I am attracted to. With eyes wide open inspiration is abundant and free for the picking- and so I start to record the textures of my life daily.

        Low tide on the sea wall reveals new ideas for glazing- weathered wood inspires a mug- the shape and feel transcribed through the idea of weathered wood rather than a literal interpretation. My work is still very rough and new- fresh hands on the clay- still rather awkward- many chunky plant pots have emerged. Still each time the kiln is unloaded new surprised are revealed- I made these things! Also can I really ever have too many plant pots? Can I ever have too many succulents?!

Year of Making:Ceramics Part 2

          A few weeks ago I wrote about the ceramics class I have been taking- I showed a sneak peek at some things I was working on- those things are now glazed- fired and in daily rotation. Our class has drawn to an end and after much practice and a few successes I have decided to continue on with my adventures in clay. Once I got the hang of things throwing things on the wheel became quite addictive- I love that something that started out as a clump of clay was turned into a functional object- by my own hands. I am now a member of the clay studio- much excitement!

            Over the past month I have learned to slow down- that creating in all mediums does not need to come naturally- some things need to be learned. There were many times in the beginning when I truly thought of throwing in the towel- not going back to class- I was intimidated and didn't want to fail- once I got over myself and just relaxed thing started to work. For me starting a new job this month was pretty intense and so being able to sit down at the wheel and just kind of zone out really helped. Some people jog- I apparently make vessels out of clay!

          Going forward I am excited to start replacing mugs and bowls that have no meaning to me- big box store items that were bought in a moment of necessity- are no longer needed. My plan to fill our home with meaningful- hard working- beautiful objects looks like it is actually obtainable. Slowing down and curating our space in a world that often feels out of control in something I need right now- focusing on the beauty of imperfection- made by my own hand.

Year Of Making: Ceramics Part 1

        I know things have been a little quiet around these parts- my studio updates have all but ground to a complete halt- the good news though is that the radio silence is not all for naught- wait s that a double negative? I don't care- sounds good. What I am trying to say is that most of my "spare" time which to date has been spent painting is currently being spent in the clay studio! This year in my year of making I decided that instead of buying boring store bought plates I would first attempt to make myself some really unique pieces for daily use- bowls and mugs mostly. I had some big plans for some plates but at this point I am realizing just how much skill potters need to trow a really nicely balanced item- so I think I will be sticking to bowls for the moment!

              Perhaps I was overly confident walking into the clay studio- I have never met a craft or art material that is not totally intuitive- I wedged my first piece of clay like no bodies business and then sat down at the wheel to centre the piece- it was then that things got awkward- real fast. This was the first time in a very long time that I struggled to grasp a concept immediately and it was humbling wen my cylinder refused to not collapse. Several classes later I have grown to accept the long journey laid out by clay in front of me- this is something that takes time and a peaceful heart- clay will not be rushed.

           Slowly I am making things- cylinders- shapes- bowls- they look like real things- at the very least I will have several containers to organize my pens and pencils into! This year of making is a long process- my projects are not short ones. I knew this going in but now that I'm in the thick of knitting a sweater and throwing bowls one thing is abundantly clear- I take for granted how easy it is to walk into a store and just buy things. I always thought I knew the importance of and values the cost of stuff- but at only three months in I am realizing I have really underestimated what it takes. So the next time I am at a craft market or artisan sale I will not question why a hand thrown mug is $35- because I know that sometime that artist was where I am now- struggling to keep their cylinder from collapsing!


PS a big thank you to Andrea Walker- Collins for taking my picture in the studio!