Studio inspiration

For some reason, I wanted to go to a Fine Craft show in Brunswick this past weekend. Once there, I realized why. I have no contact with other people who are as compelled to Make Things as I am. It was a delight to talk to other such people. The covered vessel in the image above is prettily seated between a couple of my old pieces from the Botanically Correct series. This piece was made by an artist named Mark Wheeler, and it is a wonder. Made from maple, he turned it, then carved it A Lot, and then colored the work. I can't tell you exactly why I was so taken with this piece. Maybe it was the number of processes employed, as well as the aesthetics of it. . .and certainly the maker to maker conversation was much appreciated.

I haven't been doing much in the studio, though I am taking an online workshop on Throwing Large. Sort of like living large but different. My first attempt to follow Bill McGibben's techniques was an abject failure, but that's not surprising. Among other things, I knew going in that my clay was likely too wet for this endeavor. So I'll go back to the video, dry out some clay (no easy task to get it just right), and then try again. Failure breeds learning. Learning breeds less failure. Ha. Always the optimist. 

In the meantime, here are a couple of my latest pieces. I'm thinking a lot about metalsmithing and enameling these days. . .tempted to retreat to that which I know best. (!)