The Art of Making Books

      What do artists do for fun? They go to art workshops. This is what I created on my recent  trip down to Phoenix from my studio here in Sedona. I have been a member of the Calligraphy Society of Arizona for over 30 years. Every once in a while I like to take advantage of one of the great workshops they sponsor, including this one making a Long Stitch book , hence the name.                                 I like to think that Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals that were made similar to this. A soft leather on the outside with " signatures" of paper , a grouping of pages, sewn into the spine. This is book format and what you read today does this made with machines. But how much sweeter to see it all made by hand, which is where the book artist comes into the picture. Also, instead of just some stitches showing, I tied them together with some red, waxed linen thread, and added a touch to the closure. A little adornment to catch your eye.

I will be teaching Not this book, but an equally fun "Envelope book"   on November 16,2024,  at the Sedona Arts Center, here in uptown Sedona. In only three hours, you will leave with your own magical book. There is still time to sign up, so be sure to contact SAC and enroll in a great adventure! Comments? I love to hear from you.  

Raku at the Ranch

 

It was a lovely day out at the Reitz Ranch ceramic studio in Clarkdale, AZ. a few weekends ago.  Here I am with my hand built  platter, or wall hanger, just  after  I  pulled it out of the Raku kiln.  Well I waited till it cooled off to take this picture!  The ranch  was formerly  the home and studio of well known ceramic artist, Don Reitz. I'd see and talk with  Don occasionally  around Jerome or  Sedona before he passed away. He was fun. Sheryl, with her husband, Ted, are now carrying on his tradition at the ranch, where people can work in clay and use various kilns and firing techniques. 

This day it was Raku, an ancient style  of ceramics dating back to the 16th century. The Zen Buddhist monks would use it for their tea ceremonies. Clay pieces are fired to a lower temperature and isn'

t really meant for function, more for its decorative qualities. Back in the old days , some glazes had lead in them, although not recently. It is a very " hands on" technique, since the pots are taken from the red hot kilns with tongs, then put into a trash can containing combustible material , such as paper or sawdust. It  catches fire, then gets smoking when the lid goes on. Afterwards it is put into water, which can accelerate the crackling effect, so common in this style. 

It was a team effort, with some nice Michiganders who had won a Raku firing at the library benefit. Sheryl was the kiln master, with Jerry, Jo , Dave and I working the kiln and pulling out the pots. That can be a little hairy, reaching into fire. I try to be well covered and use heavy gloves.  Large porcelain  platters like this  can be a challenge. I may yet add some glitter to a hairline crack that appeared. What comes out is always a surprise. I read that the definition of Raku is " happiness in the accident." Comments? 

The Merlot Collection

Why has it been so long since I have written on my blog, I have been asking myself ? Travel was one reason; working in new directions with both my clay and calligraphy another. Let's not  forget that old catch all, writers' block. Anyway, new pictures, new thoughts, new blog for today and a welcome into 2024.                                                                      Here are some of my new creations, all in the purple family.AS always everything is lead free and food safe. A well known teacher of mine once said " Victoria, Practice only creates practice. " So I follow that school of thought and try to create something beautiful with each experimental piece. How will a new glaze go on a curved surface ? Does creating texture on a pot bring a new dimension to what is there? How thick and how thin to apply is still a work in progress. A friend of mine sat around and we decided to call this color my "Merlot Collection". Comments?

Mission San Juan Capistrano

 Here I stand before the ruins of the original cathedral at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, in California. A friend and I went to the ocean and made a visit to this small town north of San Clemente. I had been there once, over 50 years ago, on my first sojourn west. This visit was a whole new experience.                                                        You may have heard of this place because of the festival of the swallows returning  to build their nests here every March, after their long flight back from Argentina.  There was even a hit song about it, way back when. It is a significant part of California history, as it was one of the many missions founded by Saint Junipero Serra , this one  in 1776. These missions were established by Spain to expand their territory and spread Christianity to the  indigenous natives, here it was the  Acjachemen tribe.  But an earthquake in 1812 caused thus great stone church to collapse, leaving only this wall of niches. I seem pretty small in comparison.                                                                                                      I loved all the history that is displayed here. I learned that after Mexico won independence in 1821 the Governor, Pio Pico, sold the land and mission to a Mr. John Forster. He just " happened ' to marry the Governor's sister, who was a 30 year old spinster at the time. Connections are all. But Mexico lost this land  after California  became a state in 1850. The Catholic bishop petitioned the US government to have the mission returned to the Catholic Church. In 1865, not long before his death, Abraham Lincoln did just that.                                                                                   Today the mission is restored to beauty. There is an existing chapel; historical exhibits; gorgeous rose and flower gardens ; and a reminder of the preciousness of life, today.

Lavender Farms Forever

Who doesn't love Lavender? Here I am at the Red Rock Lavender Farm in Concho, AZ. Where , you may ask , is Concho? It is a town, quite a spread out area, to the north of Show Low, in the White mountains, where I come to get out of the summer heat. I have to thank my gardening friend, Daysy, for this tip. We gardeners are always interested in learning  about plants.                                           This farm was started back in the 1990's. It was supposed to be an orchard and vegetable endeavor, however the lavender used for landscaping became a commercial boom. There are now 35,000 plants, of various varieties. I am near a sweet smelling Vera variety. The altitude here is 6,100 feet high, and very windy. Off in the distance are red rock formations,  but not quite like Sedona, where I live and produce my art.  Now they grow grapes as well, producing wine , and following in the steps of Southern France. They have a tasting room, where  I really only liked the Rose variety, but then taste is so individual, and people left with cases of something.                      Their  gift shop tantalizes you with handmade soaps, dish towels, cooking  items, anything to get you to leave behind your dinero. I bought two plants as well, which I plan to use in containers for now. It was an adventure, and who doesn't like that?!

 

 

Calligrapher, Hard at Play

Calligrapher , Hard at Work, could be a good title here. I just spent a wonderful weekend retreat in the Prescott forest. I call it " summer camp for grown ups", although some might debate the label. Here I am copying out some lettering for a small book I am creating.                                                       I have been a professional calligrapher, based here in Sedona AZ, for  decades. I am a member of the Calligraphic Society of Arizona, referred to as CSA, for all that time. Most of the members are in the Phoenix area, and that is where all the monthly workshops and meetings are held. Unfortunately , I really do not attend very often, due to the distance. But this was two nights in a church camp, with bunk beds and the cafeteria. We stayed at Emmanuel Pines, and they could not have been more helpful and accommodating. This was a special occasion, a chance after Covid to gather as a group.                                                                                         The teachers were fellow members, and the variety of  projects  impressive. For example: Making hanging paper "weathergrams" to leave in trees outside or our rustic cabins. Will they be susceptible to the weather?  Of course. Must art always be  " permanent," or can it just exist in the present? Nature seemed to be the theme ,and it was exciting to write on wood for one project, then creating three in a mobile. We  cut out  stencils to apply to a blank page ,and used both the negative and positive spacing. 

Throughout the days, I was working on the technique for a small book, which I actually almost finished. There was a dedicated lesson on making books from envelopes. We calligraphers are a frugal bunch. That was a challenge, but I did wake up early and go through the process in my head, before I got up in the frosty morning. Maybe I will change the title of this blog. It was fun!

Feathered Mystery

 

Inspiration comes in many ways. In these dark and cold winter days, a sale can light up an artist's creative spirit. So it was for me. I recently sold two masks at the Wyatt gallery, here in Sedona, AZ, where I live and work. I  realized it was time to complete  this large  "Feathered Mystery." It  spans some eight inches wide by 20 inches  to the tip of its feathers.                                                    

    I'm not sure people realize all the processes involved in  a complicated creation such as this . First comes the raw clay to form my  dimensional  concept. I usually work in series, so this has some relationship to previous masks of this size and style. I have to think ahead to what will be  the final effect and colors.. Fortunately,  I own feathers of exotic birds that a dear friend of mine with an aviary sends my way. Birds naturally molt, so there is no harm to any creature,                                                                                   Clay is at its most fragile when just dried. Lots of clean up, and sanding is necessary, and it's tricky handling such a large size Next the colors are applied. I do use premade low fired glazes since they wear so well and fire so brightly. Then it goes into the kiln to about 1800 degrees. It will come out strong  enough to go into its last firing. This is a  primitive firing, using natural combustibles. Potters have been using this style forever. Everything turns dark, so it must be cleaned up to show off the decorative  colors.

I have a very reliable way to hang these creatures. Copper wire wrapped in yarns to accentuate and soften the hangers. Finally the feathers. Here I also added some turquoise and coral in among the feathers. This brings up the innovative side of my brain. Lots of hours, days, even weeks to finally complete. Just wanted to spread a little insight into my creative process. Comments?