Tango in the Art of Ceramics

Here is another form of Tango.This ceramic box is in my current show entitled " Spirits", at the Jerome Artists' Cooperative,  about forty miles from where I live in Sedona, AZ.
It stands about seven inches tall and four and a half across. Large enough to store a treasure or more.
I've always loved to dance and started studying Argentine Tango some years ago. Tango colors are red and black.Here the couple on the top are very well matched.They dancing in what is called a " close embrace."
Tango is really a very disciplined dance. When you get good enough you can play more with your style. 
I knew I wanted to do something to celebrate my dance for the show. I guess it is part of my " folk art" style , which are often containers.
This container is made of porcelain clay, which is  fired to a  lower temperature in order to use these bright     colors. Afterwards, it goes into a primitive firing to get that nice crackle and patina. One always must hope that the delicate dancers stay standing, which these two did.
The art of ceramics always involves the unknown, just as the tango has that element of surprise.

Animals as our Artistic Inspiration

 I often tell people how similar the Verde Valley is to the savannas of east Africa, without the baobab trees.This photo was taken in the  theme park named
" Out of Africa", not far from my home here in Sedona, Arizona.
 I spent six months  travelling by bus and by thumb around east Africa back when.It was always my dream to see the animals that were usually in zoos, in their real habitat.
I did take two " official"  safaris, one in  Kenya and the other in Tanzania. There I was able to  photograph the animals in close proximity. For me, it felt like coming home. While that was years ago, I don't think the wild animals have changed their life style too much, except to accommodate we humans. 
Here I am with a 17 foot python, which is actually from South America. Still, it is a wild animal. The audience  gets to touch the snake. I think that fear of  animals may be  an acquired trait. It is not that we do not have to protect ourselves, but we are all part of the planet.Besides, they are so beautiful.
I have been drawing snakes in the abstract on my ceramic platters,and I always put at least one of those creatures on each porcelain pueblo. I also like "critters", as I call them, such as cats, birds, and horses on my clay work.
 I like our connection with animals. I believe they inspire us to be creative as we include them, not only as symbols, but as our fellow creatures on this precious planet we all call home. 

First blog

Lots of white space, isn't that what is the most daunting thing about writing, or life? So , what I do is to just start writing. That's what this art biz is all about. Just start doing it.! I remember a very nice man with a Russsian accent asking me " How you become artist?". My response was, "just do it" I felt touched when he sent me an announcement of his first show. Wow. My words have impact. So that is my thought for today. Don't let fear, or intimidation, or laziness stop you from doing anything. Oh yes, Never listen to those who say" you can't do that" Oh yea, well just watch me.