Virus

Not, not the dreaded computer sort, this one is creeping up on ME. For the last two days I've been holding it at bay with ColdEze and Zicam. If it were a workday, I'd be going back to bed. But clay waits.

Fall

My Second Piece

And now I am looking at torches. There is a freestanding butane that gets to 2500 degrees, that is not very expensive, that I am going to purchase and try out - even if it's too small for metal to metal, it should do for small welds and jump rings.

This is MINE and I adore it. It feels fabulous.

Fig Visitor

The Raku Crew

Raku is firing bisqueware to 2000 plus degrees until it glows red and then literally smoking the glazed pots in sawdust, newspaper, leaves (flamable material) while reducing the oxygen. That's why you see the potters working in teams here to cover, completely, the red hot, flaming pots. It can result in cracks and burns and all sorts of excitement. It can also result in some of the most metallic and interesting results. It's decorative and not food safe. But it sure it fun. Here you see an unsuccessful result:

Janice at Sertoma didn't think so - even the blown out wall looked good to her, so it has a happy home!

Mom Says This is Me

Raku!

Beautiful Morning

I love this time of year.

Thanks Mom!

A particularly lovely birthday present - the hollyhocks are beautiful. And the orchid in my office STILL has blooms.

This Fine Morning

Foggy Morning

I got back from our walk with wet hair and dew on my lashes. And every single web in the yard was festooned with diamonds. Here's one:

Lola

Rabbit Rocks

All apologies to John Updike.

Oh, Mum

Outdoor Fish

Bolted Lettuce

I can't pull it up for compost - it's too pretty.

Sunday Night

BLUE. Deep indigo.

While I have metal class to look forward to - I have to put the mud in the box (locker, shelves). I need more clay time.

How long until retirement?

*sniff*

My Indoor Fish

I think I like this camera. : )

On Making Art

I've been giving this a lot of thought in recent weeks - and months. Where does "art" come from? Maybe I should use capital letters instead of quotes.

I've always felt that the artist was a conduit for the creation, and that no matter the skill set the artist had or worked to acquire, that the work came through that person from the universe. We're not islands. We're not alone. We're taught our various skills - and we're affected by our teachers and those we admire whether we want to admit it or not. The spiritual "we're all one" taken in yet another way. And the personal belief that I've always carried inside that true creation can only truly come from the original creator. There are no atheists in the art studio - even if their "g*d" is just their muse - or their drive to MAKE IT.

Now I do think that there will always be people who take their admiration of someone else's output to the extreme - copying to the point that more folks than just the copied artist can perceive the product as outright theft. Probably this is conditional, inspired by a lack of confidence or belief in one's own creative voice. It may even be as base an impulse as "this person's work sells - I can make the same thing and sell it cheaper." And with the Internet, it's far more likely that the crafts person doing the "inspired" work will be caught out as an imitator.

I love Jillian's take on it - (links to the right) her unwillingness to expend the energy - or allow the negativity to effect her (as more than a momentary irritation). I can also understand the outrage of the artist who has spent years developing a style and a voice when presented with work that can't possibly be anything but a copy - especially when even the signature seems to be "inspired."

I'm reminded of the comment a very good Buddhist friend once made (Mike is now a form of energy and spirit I can no longer touch).

"Don't make it about you and it can't possibly hurt you." And "it?" Can be almost anything.

We can only control our reactions to people and situations. Try to react with love and empathy always and it will be the larger part of what you receive in return.

And I'm not saying there's not a time and place for righteous indignation and rage. Even Jesus tossed tables around like a New Jersey housewife when he was really pissed - but it was on behalf of the exploited, not in his own defense.

Can I do this? Not even close. According to some faiths, I'm set for reincarnation. I'd rather try to learn it now than redo junior high. 

Ivor MACRO

Giveaway!

Here:

http://adventuresincolor.blogspot.com/

Future Jewelry?

I have been imagining these as centerpieces for breastplates - not quite that large but necklace doesn't do as a descriptor - with their own jewelry, headpieces and other stones and chains. It may be years before I dare to tackle the images in my head.

Joy

A Little Bird...

New Bowl

This bowl warped a bit and has a few unexploded (thank the gods of mud and sand!) air bubbles. Mixed leftovers that really needed more wedging. Bad potter! I love the look and will make another like it. Two new glazes (galaxy blue and rutile green) with copper carb on the rim and a touch of snowflake matte on the rim and bottom.

Da Pups

GOOBER!

The Bobbypin Turret

In transit. It has three glazes and melted glass on the bottom of the inside! I tried to get the glaze all the way to the rim - mostly succeeded but won't try that again. In the transfer from the shelf to the kiln the lid touched glaze and stuck - so there are two small buffed bare spots near the rim inside and a couple of shallow (but smooth) spots on the lid's lip. Live and learn.

EPIC Teapot

For my bestie. She has a teenager now, poor thing.

Inspiring Doctor Cherry

I love Tim's pieces. He teaches handbuildiing and used to teach children - I do get the impression that he's really very good at it (and that there's not a lot of difference).