Taking a Break...

For me, leaning is an ongoing process, and I'm proud that I keep learning new skills. 

New Storage

Last year, I was lucky enough to have an advanced art student who told the most interesting story about how his father wanted him to learn how to build a house.  His father bought a parcel of land in Wisconsin, and for a year, my student, his father, and his brother traveled to Wisconsin to build their get-away-home.  They did everything from laying foundation, to plumbing, to electrical, to the finishes.  I was so impressed!  I never heard of such a thing!  And then I put his knowledge to good use.  I facilitated access to the school's woodshop and he was able to use his woodworking skills to build armature, and frames for his artwork.  In doing so, he taught me about the different saws and tools.  

Later, I asked my friend, our theater's technical director, to talk me through building portable shelves for my upcoming art fairs.  Thanks to his patience, tutelage, and power tools, I had new skills.  I highly doubt anyone would ever want to pay me for any of my wood works, but what I make will serve my purposes!

After months of deadline driven ceramic work, I am finally taking a week long break. I use the term "break" very loosely, because I've been making storage for my work space.  And while I'm sawing and hammering away, my mind drifts to my next clay works.  I can't wait to get my hands in my clay again, and I relish this time when, for a short while, I don't have any deadlines and I can take time to play with form and design.

Let go...

I know we're going to see each other in a few weeks.  I know when we do you're going to ask me if I've been throwing a lot. You've asked me before, and quite honestly, I never know how to answer.  I know you want to  throw a lot and I don't want you to feel badly when I answer that I have.  

But you have to remember I'm at a different place in my life than you are.  My kids are bigger and more independent than yours.   And I'm taking full advantage of that.  My evenings are spent on clay, yours, on bedtime routines.  Your time will come. But when it does, don't be so quick to give it away.  Guard your time with your art.  It's as fleeting as your time with your kids. And like time with your children, time with your art needs to be acknowledge as the gift that it is and defended.   

But I can see that's only part of the problem.  Fear also holds you back.  Fear of not being good enough. Fear of having your art open to public criticism. And the most stifling fear of all- the fear of having no excuse for failure other than your own shortcomings.  I see that all the time.  It's why everyone makes excuses about why they don't have time to do their art.  If you really want to do clay, then do it.   Let go do the fear and excuses.   Make the time.  Make art part of your habit. Make art part of your life.  

Spirit Women

I've spent some time creating what I call my Spirit Women.  

Spirit Women I

One day while working with clay, I was in deep thought over the late Professor Marva Jolly and her Old People Say series.  Like Professor Jolly and many people, I think our elders can guide us, even after death.  But once they pass over, their guidance can become elusive or difficult to connect with.  My Spirit Women are about these elusive connections.

Spirit Women II

I made two pots, choosing this form because Professor Jolly made them frequently, although mine are not as large as hers.  The first, pictured to the right, I made while remembering how she told me not to be so concerned with making everything smooth and perfect because I was "taking the character out of it."  The second, pictured on the left, I did in my own vision.  I enjoyed making these pots and remembering.  I know I'll be making more.

Getting the Right Volume

I've been creating cups, and now mugs, for Regulus Coffee House.  Although the process has been really fun, it's been a challenge to get all the pieces to hold a specified accurate amount of volume.  He told me the tasting cups he wanted should hold between two and two and a half ounces of coffee, and the espresso cups between five and six ounces.  My first thought was, "wow, that's not a lot of room for error!"   As anyone with an appreciation for handmade items knows, it's difficult to get all the pieces to be the same, much less to have just a half ounce difference!

So what have I learned from creating two dozen tasting cups, three dozen espresso cups and four dozen latte mugs (and counting)?  Well, there's the obvious... everything has to be measured.  Each piece starts with the same amount of clay, so I've done a lot of weighing.  And the project goes much faster if all the clay is de-aired, weighed, and wedged, before the throwing every starts. 

Then the not so obvious...  how exactly do you figure out the height and diameter of a cup that has to hold a specific amount of volume?   For this, I have to give what may be an unpopular answer to some... with math.  I had to look up the formula for a cylinder, and with the help of a spreadsheet, I figured out the proper height and diameter, remembering to add a 1/4 inch to the height so the coffee had some room, and that the height and width ratio was really up to my aesthetic preferences.  I used a Lid Master to figure out what the height and diameter of the vessel should be before shrinkage, and finally I had my measurements!

Throwing gauge

But it's hard to throw them all the same!  And measuring every one with the Lid Master was too time consuming. So I made a makeshift dragonfly, a small throwing gauge which originated from Japan.  Yes, I could have probably bought a really nice throwing gauge, but my need was immediate and my pocketbook light, so I made one using two bamboo skewers from my kitchen and a hot glue gun. I used the short, top part of the dragon fly to measure how deep I opened, the width of its "wingspan" to measure the opening of the cylinder, and I used the long, bottom part of the dragon fly to measure the depth of the cup.  It worked like a charm and cup production went quickly.  The last point to note however, was that it was VERY critical that the floor of the cup and its wall met and a hard right angle.  If not, I could lose up to an ounce in volume.  Who knew?!

Friends

It's been a very productive couple of months!

The show at Bliss Wine and Gifts went well.  Once again, a well organized show, courtesy of Anne Woolridge.  It was such a good time!

A small part of my display at Bliss Wine and Gifts

Participating in the fairs and the shows lately has made me realize what wonderful friends I have.  It was so wonderful of Karen and Aqui to come out to support me during the Park Ridge Art Fair. And reconnecting with Dan and Chrystie in Ottawa after not seeing each other for a couple of years was really amazing. I enjoyed Vicky's, Paul's, Trishas's and Chris's company last weekend at Bliss. And I'm really looking forward to seeing people I know from Lill Street at Veva's gallery when I participate in her holiday sale in November. 

But what I've also realized is that I'm really fortunate who have friends who let me disappear for a time and then let me back into their lives.  I haven't talked to Owen and Angel in months because I'm busy making cups and mugs for Regulus Coffee House.  And how I would love to take a long weekend to visit Nathan, but I have to stick with my firing schedule in order to make my deadlines.  It so wonderful that my good friends let me be such a bad friend so I can do what I have to do!  They're so supportive of me!

Summer Fairs 2013

It seems a quick summer is everyone's common experience these days.  I'm no different.  

My booth

This summer I returned to the art fair scene, which is why one of last posts dealt with building portable shelves.  All in all, the two fairs I participated in, the Park Ridge Art League's fair and the Ottawa Art League's, were really good. Both were organized REALLY well.  Kudos to Tom Schuler on Park Ridge's fair, and to Sharon Danielson on all her work on Ottawa's.  Both were filled with serious artists whose hard work was really evident.  Best of all, both were filled with patrons who were appreciative of all our hard work.   It was such a pleasure to meet everyone and the feedback received at both fairs were so positive.  Thanks so much to the patrons and artists alike who made both fairs such a wonderful experience!

So where can you find me next?  During the first weekend in October, I hope to participate in the show at Bliss, the wine shop in Wauconda, Illinois, organized by the Artists' Cooperative Gallery.    And I certainly do hope Professor Owens from Chicago State University organizes another alumni show.  I not only look forward to displaying my art and meeting new people, but I also look forward to seeing friends at Chicago State.  And of course, purchasing a nice dessert wine from Bliss won't hurt either!

Oh no! I need a new one!

Of course,you don't make just one...

While visiting a friend in Indiana, I met a wonderful woman named Carol who taught me how to make quiche. When my friend Susan invited me for lunch, I was so excited to make one for us. I bought all the ingredients and delighted in its creation until I pulled out my only pie plate. I was so ashamed of it, and rightly so. It was made from aluminum and purchased at least 20 years ago from a dollar store during my poor college days. How could I go all these years without ever realizing I needed a new one?! As I lined this pathetic thing with tin foil to hide its many years of use, I promised to make myself a new one. But of course, in clay, you don't make just one...