I came into my studio to clean it.
Suddenly, I have clay all over me and my studio is messier.
Trying to decide if this is productive or procrastination?
September 30th
I didn’t do pottery every day this month. I did more than I posted…but I didn’t do it every day.
And I’m okay with that.
Because I didn’t give up. It just hasn’t been realistic to do it every day. And daily blogging and instagram updates were just a little too ambitions, I think! 😉
But it’s been so good for me! I am back at it, so to speak. I have definitely thought of it every day. Clay has become part of my life again, and I’m so happy about it.
I started this month moving enough stuff out of my studio so that I could work in there. I snapped a photo as I left my studio tonight, on the last day of September.
It’s a mess, but it’s growing, and I am hoping that by the last day of October, I’ll be able to show you a photo of my studio the way I want it set up…an actual, working space for me with adequate shelving and none of the unrelated stuff.
Loved doing this challenge with you, Mom. I’m excited, and more determined than ever to keep this going! Shall we keep going?!?!
Look at this painting she did!
Ready or not, October…here I come!!!
September 19th
I didn’t do pottery Friday or Saturday…and I was SO busy that I don’t even feel badly about that.
But today I had a little time, so I trimmed the three most recent vessels.
I’m beat. I’ll try to post a few pictures and then I’m going to call it a night.
Next week should be a little more productive! ❤
September 16th
Last week when our friend came to “do clay” with me, he told me I should “make something fun.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Something fun!” he said.
“I don’t know how to do fun.” I said.
But I do…cause I think my utilitarian vessels are fun to do.
But I don’t…cause I am not an artsy person.
As much as I would like to be…I’m just not. That’s probably why these simple, utilitarian pieces are so appealing to me. I am not crafty. At all.
Tonight, just before going in to do pottery, I found out that same friend’s grandmother died today. Of course, he was in my thoughts as I tried to decide what to do with the clay I had in my hand. He had asked me if I’d ever tried to make a “venetian vase”. I don’t know what that is. I searched it online…and I still don’t really know what it is.
But I decided to throw him a vase. And then I tried to do something “fun” with it. And when I couldn’t do that, I decided to just settle for something a little different.
Sitting there…staring at the vase form I had made…I pretended I was an artsy, fun person who could do cool stuff.
This is as far out of my comfort zone as I could get myself.
Maybe this is something I need to practice more often. Or…maybe I could just stick with plain ol’ utilitarian. I’m okay with that too.
September 15th
Pottery is messy.
And I love it.
Had a full day at work today. My fingers are worn out from sanding woodwork and prepping for paint. I was so tempted to skip pottery tonight. But I know that if I did, it would be easy to skip tomorrow…and the next day…cause I’ll be working then too.
So I forced myself to go into the studio and do SOMETHING…even if it was nothing.
I’m so glad I did.
September 14th
I didn’t realize how much I was struggling.
Have you ever made sugar cookies? You make the dough and roll it out and then cut shapes out of it, till you’ve used all the available dough. Then you squish the dough together and roll it out again and cut more shapes. Goes pretty well up until here. But then you have to do it again. And again. Till finally you’ve used up almost all of it and there is usually one awkwardly shaped cookie from the tiniest bit of leftovers. Or maybe…you just eat it raw and be done with it. Either way, you’re so ready to be done with that dough!
That’s how it’s been with my clay. I’ve been using it, wedging the scraps together, wetting it or drying it (as the case may be) and then using it again.
For a very long time.
But today….
New clay. So lovely and smooth and easy to work. So much different than my clay routine of late. Such a joy!
I made a bowl. Maybe tomorrow I’ll try a bigger bowl. Cause the clay is lovely.
I just didn’t realize how much I was struggling! ❤
September 13th
All was well! I was so grateful to hear that distinctive “ping” and to feel the strength of the vessels when I checked the kiln this morning! What a relief!
I had a lot of hours away from home today, so I didn’t do any pottery, aside from unloading the kiln. But that…is good enough for me! ❤
September 12th
I didn’t do pottery yesterday.
Instead, I spent the day celebrating my sister Sarah’s 236 page beautifully illustrated book “Penguin In The Post”. She had a wonderful book signing party at the glass gallery where the idea of the book all started. So many lovely people came to support and celebrate her. It was a good, good day.
Back at it today though…trying to figure out why my kiln didn’t fire properly!
It didn’t reach temp for the bisque fire, so I unloaded it and stuck a strip of paper on each coil. They all burned when I turned the kiln on, so that was good…I hoped!
I reloaded the kiln and started her up…and after 7 hours, she had shut off correctly. I feel pretty confident that when I go out in the morning, it will all be well.
We shall see…
September 10th
Learning how absolutely spoiled I’ve been to have taken lessons from The Guthrie Art Center for so long. I buy clay from them and pay a monthly fee, and then I can go in and throw clay and focus on what I want to focus on. They fire the pieces, provide support and so many glaze options. They’ve made it so easy for me! I am grateful.
And…I am way out of my comfort zone doing this on my own. But it is SO good for me!
Took a “field trip” for my pottery time today…headed into Oklahoma City to The House of Clay. I picked out two clay bodies to use, one familiar and the other new. And then I got completely overwhelmed by the glaze selection and almost walked out without any.
But the kind ladies were patient and instructive. They were there when I had a question and left me alone when I needed to think. “Relax. Take your time.” More good advise.
And so…I’m stretching and growing. Bit by bit. I hope.
September 9th
I loaded the kiln today. Only the second bisque fire I’ve ever done. Silly how nervous and uncomfortable I am. I mean…worst that can happen is a fire. That spreads from the kiln to the little house then on to my house then to…
Scratch that.
I loaded the kiln today. It’s firing as I type. I’m sure it’s all going to be fine, and tomorrow morning, I’ll go out and open it up and see what happened in that intense heat for all those hours.
And then…I’m going to go buy some glazes!
Something Sage 