I’ve spent the last two days playing with clay in the studio, and it’s all because of Lorna.  She, Andy, and I are going to go into an Arts ‘n Crafts show in October-November.  Lorna’s making crosses of all shapes and sizes and materials, Andy is using PaverPol as her medium, and I’ll be doing clay .. um…  things……  Not quite sure WHAT things, yet…

Lorna has been sending us updates on what she’s making, and the materials she’s finding, and her joyous enthusiasm has Andy and I chomping at the bit to get at it as well!

Yesterday, when I was in the studio, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected to.  In fact, I couldn’t sleep last night, I was tossing and turning and realized that it was because  I was putting too much emphasis on the Marketability of what I was making, rather than just enjoying the process of being Creative.  Sure, I’d like to sell some of my stuff, but I don’t “make a living” with art.  The small income I get just goes toward more art supplies.  Sooooooo, since I got THAT clear in my head, today has just been fabulous F  –  U  –  N  FUN!!!

I made two more “Talking Sticks”.  I hate ’em both, but I’ll still fire them and see if they look better once they’re painted.  I think I’ve got to let this idea go, I just don’t seem to be nailing it.

I found this one in my drying area; I’d forgotten I’d made it, sheesh.

I also made a vase, which I totally love.  Three simple embossed tubes, tied with string.  Once it’s fired and painted, I’ll wrap wire around the vases where the string marks are.

And then I found these vases, which I’d also forgotten that I’d made.  They’re still greenware, but I painted them with UnderGlaze.  I have not yet used UnderGlaze in my kiln, and haven’t a clue what I’m doing, so this’ll be an interesting experiment.

And a couple with no glaze:

The next one is pretty big – 10″ tall; I LOVE the niche in it, with the asian text.

I’m also going to create a bunch of Wall-Hung pieces.  The first two are Hearts.  I put the pen by them so you could the size.  The first one is big – 11″ from top to bottom.

I’m intend to paint these with REALLY bright colors that pop….

What a great day……..I am SO lucky to have an art studio……….