Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkha, Kwanza Greetings & Happy Festivus! That should just about cover it all…
Hope you, your families and Friends have a peaceful holiday season,
Cynthia
I have…
Crabapple jelly
If you’re seeing this photo and nodding your head up and down in acknowledgment, or you’re shaking your head side to side and tsk-tsking, either way, you’re right – I’ve got nothing right now, at least not in terms of pottery or anything clay related and it doesn’t seem like the situation will be ameliorated any time soon. I couldn’t bear the thought of writing a blog post without an image though, because I am such a visual person myself. As a child, I always digested the pictures before reading any text. Even after reading passages from a book, I would have to back track and make sure that the illustrations supported the text.
I can’t seem to find a rythym. It’s not like I’m sitting on my duff either. I’m volunteering, being a mom, designing a business card for the Colorado Potters Guild, helping my F.I.L. configure a wordpress site for his high school classmates and alumni, am embroiled in “math-gate” at my daughter’s school and yes, have even made crabapple jelly – something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s about time the squirrels weren’t the only ones to benefit from the bounty that our crabapple tree produces every year. The recipe is pretty simple – a ton of crabapples, water and sugar. Just google crapbapple jelly and pages of recipes appear magically.
In the meantime, I have agreed to substitute teach at my daughter’s school for the next 4 days, while the 5th grade students (my daughter included) and their teachers go to sleep away camp till the end of the week to bond. If I sound bitter, I’m not – I’m actually grateful for the distraction.
Just today, I was out walking my dogs in the park and listening to a podcast featuring art coach, Bruce Baker and I had to laugh. He mentioned how artists can often times get lost in ideas and that when the monkeys start chattering too loudly in our brain, it’s time to shut them up and just go to work – creative people have a tendency to over think stuff. Luckily, the park was empty today since it was a rainy and drizzly one, so when I laughed out loud embarrassingly at his remark, no one was around to hear me – except my dogs and they love me unconditionally. I’ve become lost in my head right now. That’s a true confession and I feel totally distracted. I need to learn to compartmentalize events as they occur and I’m afraid that I have been unable to do that recently. I feel everything acutely and often the need to react is just as strong as the original stimulus.
Sigh…. This is not a “oh woe is me post” either. It just is and so am I.
~Cynthia
Finishing Work & Taking a Workshop
Chicken
I’m almost finished adding the final touches to the 20 porcelain hand-built boxes that I’m making for the Summer Art Market which takes place next week. Only five more to paint – and then I plan on bisque firing on Tuesday and Glaze firing on Thursday. That will leave me Friday to inventory and price my work and otherwise get organized. The art market is open at 10:00 am on Saturday – with a preview sale for Art Student League VIPs at 9:00 am.
The crow might be my favorite right now
I’ve finished listening to Eckhart Tolle and Oprah discussing The New Earth. It was a so relaxing and thought provoking for me. I have the book – now I just have to find the time to read it. I love being read to though because I always seem to be short of time and when I do have the time at the end of the day, I can barely keep my eyes open long enough to get past 3 pages.
Frog – from tadpole to full grown
Each side of this one has the basic evolution of a frog’s life from tadpole to grown frog. I was just too lazy to photograph the other side for you. I’m going to enjoy getting feedback from people in person next weekend.
Goldfish
Meanwhile, I decided to treat myself to a one day workshop. I’m going to be visiting the studio of local Denver artist, Annie Chrietzberg, otherwise known as “Earth to Annie” the weekend of June 21 for a hand-building workshop. I’m looking forward to meeting her and learning some new techniques.
It’s a gorgeous day in Denver, so with nothing further, I bid you adieu!
~Cynthia
& Inspiration">New Jewelry & Inspiration
I have worn the prototype of this necklace for about the last 6 months now, and get a ton of compliments and requests for duplication. I have a problem though, I have a high amount of breakage during the making and firing of the piece since it’s so delicate. Anyway, 2 survived my last firing and I may have figured out the secret to making these successfully.
The original necklace was inspired by this sculpture that I made in college my last semester. I love the organic shape and have been meaning to do more work in this direction but wince when I recall the cracking and baby sitting of this piece during the drying process. I never did glaze it, because I couldn’t decide how to do so – but have some ideas now. I just need to do a little sanding and will most likely glaze it the next time I fire to ^6. I don’t know about any of you other ceramic people out there, but glazing doesn’t come easy for me. Sometimes I need to think about it a few weeks – sometimes years.
Meanwhile, I’m recovering from a nasty cold that struck the state of Colorado and am feeling much better today. I am also not scheduled to sub this week and will most likely turn down all offers. I really want to spend some QT in the garagio this week. Because of my teaching affiliation with Anderson Ranch Arts Center this coming summer, I received an invitation to submit work for possible inclusion in a fall show at their gallery. I need to get cracking – the deadline for application is fast approaching and I’d really like to submit something new.
Have a good week everyone,
~Cynthia
