A new story is unfolding…

As I read my last post I see that it was from the end of December. Boy, time sure does fly. SO MUCH has been happening lately. To summarize- the circumstances in my life along with some timely inspiration from my kids has steered me towards new joyful work, I rolled my car in one of our many snow storms and walked away with a closer eye on the quality things in life, and I have joined in an inspiring and invigorating partnership with fellow artist Dawn Fessenden.

Whew!

Dawn and I will be opening an etsy shop within the next six weeks called OH! Only Handmade.  Initially we are focusing on ceramics work, but plan to expand to include Dawn’s felting and my metal work. Keep you posted as to when the grand opening is!

As part of this venture I am launching two new lines of work that I have been exploring. The first line focuses on unusual planters, pinwheel dippers, vases and other pieces in this glaze combination.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I am also really excited to dive into a new line of giftware. Inspired by my amazing children, I can only say right now that making these new pieces is pure joy and I cannot wait to share them with you! Hopefully over the weekend I will be able to share images of the first test pieces that just came out of the kiln.

artist seeking art

I am constantly looking for inspiration around me including the work of other artists. Currently two fellow potters (one of which was a professor of mine) Francine and Frank Ozereko, have a wonderful exhibition at the Fuller Craft Museum.

Additional images from the exhibit can be seen on Francine Ozereko’s website.

meditation in the doing

Today I went to Hadley to do returns and get a birthday gift from the kids for Mama. On a whim I drove by the new arts building at UMass and decided to take a look around. During my wandering I ran into one of my mentors and previous professors, Nancy LaPointe. We had such a wonderful chat. It was inspiring to see her again.

In talking about clay, the idea of throwing as meditation really resonated. In that moment I let go of needing to make anything in particular and to just immerse myself in the joy of making, and making, and making.

That comes nicely on the heels of striving for repetition in tall tumblers yesterday. 3 inches by 6 inches was the goal as well as consistent form. Here is an image of the vessels to date…

Bubbles

A lesson learned yesterday…bubbles. I have been wedging as though I am a right handed person and low and behold, I am not! Therefore no matter how hard I tried, my left hand was overpowering my right creating a funnel on the right instead of a ball of clay. DOH! I am back to rams head wedging and the bubbles are much less or nonexistent.

Ah, something so simple!

Perhaps today I can get back to being centered so I can center. Clearing out my head and getting back to the core of simplicity. Last night with the kids was a joy and finding why I stress and worry and figuring out how to let it go can be so easy when I watch them in their joy, just being. Amazing, brilliant little creatures.