Title: Finding Center 36"x 36" Finding center......that place of peace and grounding, the authentic reservoir from which we draw our essence.
This was built using the coil method from the ground up. I need practice....I learned a lot about proportions textures and clay versatility. I need a critique so feel free to chime in. From my perspective the head is too large, the hands look arthritic, in general it needs to be taller and thinner etc...etc...etc...It's about 23 inches tall. So much to learn....uuuggg!
What do WE know? This is a collection of women, confident in their ability to recognize truth and having the courage to claim it.
Gaia- Earth Mother “ The earth is what we all have in common” it is the tether that holds us together. It will be our home, until it is not. The universe doesn't care what we do to it, what we destroy, what we waste. We are the keepers of our future and only we can save ourselves.
Blue-- I know who I am from the acknowledgement of my favorite color to accepting the complex structure of my lived experiences, I know what I feel and what I need. This is my truth...... what are you pretending not to know?
Astraea......Enlightened innocence Astraea is a Latinized form of the Greek aster meaning "star". Astraea was a Greek goddess of innocence and justice. After wickedness took root in the world she left the earth and became the constellation Virgo.
Hypatia...... I wonder? Hypatia of ancient Alexandria circa 350-415 studied and taught philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.She has been followed throughout the ages by women who continue her work and exemplify her courage and thirst for truth and knowledge.
"Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." - Hypatia
I really don't know enough about the glazing process to be confident in finishing my first bisque fired pieces. I decided to paint a couple and see how that turns out. I think it's ok...... but, I'm hoping to figure out glazing soon. What do you think?
A new technique to building a bust! Coiling from the ground up. This experience was like trying to stand on my head underwater. It's possible but not easy..... very counter intuitive from anything I have ever done. Not my favorite technique but I learned a lot.
A play day just having fun.....
She just appeared ...... sometimes I don't know when it's going to happen, but I just keep going until the figure awakens.
Not sure where this is going..... but, I'm hoping to be able to add interesting features with found objects. Wish me luck?
Adding hair to a sculpture is kind of tricky. This bust was hollowed out before the hair was added because I knew the curls would not add too much to the overall thickness of the head and I didn't want to disturb the curls by slicing through them. The curls were randomly added and it was a little scary to do but really fun too.
There is so much to learn about the human head..... the skull, muscles, different planes etc. Facial expressions are a challenge too, along with adding texture to add interest and all of the incredible properties and limitations of ceramic clay. It's very exciting to be stretching into another art medium.
I've been nostalgic to return to my college days of working with organic ceramic clay. It's been a real out of box and out of body experience. I love being in this space..... the clay is just like butter, so free and expressive. I'm in love....
I am a very pragmatic realist, but I do love the idea of magic. Here are a series of process photos of this winters obsession. Title: Enchantress
Title: Keep Circling size: 4' x 4' Keep circling........keep searching for that space and place that gives you meaning and purpose. You are the only one that can recognize and identify your center as home.
Here is a studio visit showing snippets of a new creation I'm working on. It's so out of the box for me...... crazy fun!
Yes.... just when I thought I was going into my studio to produce a plethora of new work, life had other plans. My grandson was born tiny and frail and I made the decision to give him the best care I knew he needed while his reluctant mama went back to work. He was my gift for eight months until I was handed another challenge in the form of a much needed hip replacement. Oh how privileged we are to experience life at all! The good, the bad and the surprises. I stole minutes from here and there to complete this piece. It took ten months but it kept me in the groove while waiting and waiting to return to the studio full time. I'm almost there....... If I Were Queen
Privilege is a tricky subject. Is it the talent you were born with or the money you inherited? Some of us just got lucky genes or were in the right place at the right time, or were born into the favored gender, color or social status or plopped down in a country brimming with opportunity for all...... or not. We don't get to choose our beginnings for good or bad and that realization alone should stun us with a good dose of humility and compassion for our fellow humans.
(sorry for the poor photos..... I'll be getting better ones soon!)
