I had a GOOD week of clay.
I completed and installed a new custom-Totem project. I like taking on a challenge of creating something unique and special which often means creating work I’ve never made before. In this case, the new shape I made were letters to stack and spell out the word LOVE. I’m pleased with the results!
The placement and message of these totems were made to encourage the proper 'chi' to this home and garden.
It's great when the image in my mind works out in the final results!
This past weekend, I participated in a workshop lead by Lana Wilson at the Lee Arts Center in Arlington, Virginia. It’s an incredible clay studio that has been around for eons – I had some of my early classes there back in the 70’s. This is the second workshop I’ve participated in at the Arts Center recently. One of my favorite parts of workshops is the lively group dynamic that develops along with new friendships in the clay world.
Lana began talking and demonstrating at 10 am on Saturday and kept going strong for two full days. Between stories of her life illustrating her own personal clay journey, she shared endless techniques, tools and wisdom from her 40 ‘odd’ years of enjoying what she made. My head is still spinning with this bounty of new direction! This is what I LOVE about clay – it offers me endless possibilities and continual opportunity to evolve, change, discover, renew, recharge, reconnect and be Happy!
Here are some more photos of the workshop.
Lana layers a variety of colorful underglaze on wet slabs. (Note the colorful tape on her tools. It's helpful for finding them quickly!)
Layers of the color are scraped away with sharp tools to reveal the colors below.
The slab is used to create a form.
This Box with working drawer was created with leather hard clay. Lana not only demonstrated her process of making this signature piece, but also her decision making process during creation.
This non-functional teapot is another signature Lana Wilson creation. She reminded the class frequently to observe what she demonstrated, listen to her suggestions and then most importantly learn to use that as a jumping off point to discover our own clay voice. I'm excited to get back in the studio this week and play!