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.  

The Magic of Museums

The magic of museums. Here I am in front of the display of old books at the Clemenceau Heritage Museum in Cottonwood, AZ, not too far from Sedona, AZ, where I  live and create my art.  For years I have passed this building, but never went in. Finally I opened a door to the history of  the Verde Valley. The hours are different and admission is by donation.                         This building was the original school for the town of Clemenceau and surrounding areas.  I never even realized there was a a town by that name!  Apparently there were too many towns containing  the name Verde, so Mr.  Douglas, Jerome mine magnate, named it after his  WWI  friend, French premier Georges Clemenceau. In 1960, the newly incorporated Cottonwood took over this area.                          Inside the museum is an original classroom with all the desks and books. There are displays of useful items from the turn of the century onward: farm implements; medical and dental tools; kitchen objects; old washing machines; toys; eyeglasses; ladies outfits and jewelry, just to name a few included items. There is a room on  Jerome mining, and  an entire room with a miniature railroad.           What fun to see  the pictures of graduating classes during the 1940's and 1950's.  These names are now on  streets in this area. There was Ms. Anne Jordan of Sedona, wearing the snazziest white shoes  with her cap and gown.  Scrapbooks  of historical events in all the surrounding towns intrigued me, especially Sedona.        What magic there is in this local jewel of history.        

                                      

The Art of the Small Pitcher

Here is a fun little pitcher from my latest firing.My hand shows the relative size. 
As I went to the icebox this morning to add milk to my tea, and I had to lift up the whole carton, I thought " a pitcher would be a handy thing about now". But not this pitcher, this one goes up to the gallery.
All around the base are the hand carvings of the red rocks of Sedona, AZ, that I see outside my studio. I have also incorporated this design into my mugs , with the turquoise glaze, and the oxide to color it.This is high fired porcelain clay so it can go into the stove of microwave.I used a clear glaze inside so the  contents are visible . It is actually the clay itself with a clear glaze over.
Of course it is totally food safe. Standards are very high in our country for glaze materials. Who knows what you get in a store or which  country they are made in and what are their rules? 
Since this is our Veterans' Day holiday, I would say "Support 
our service people... and your local artists! "

The White Pueblo

I just unloaded my kiln and  found  this little jewel, my
"White Porcelain pueblo".  It is made from porcelain,
This style of my handmade bowls came from my artistic imagination and the environment I live in.The color you are seeing is actually the clay itself, with a clear glaze over. I like the smooth, modern feel of this basic image. 
As I say in my description tag, "...This is the view from outside my studio here in Sedona, AZ. I see our town, or pueblo, red rock silhouettes , cactus, and critters .The outer stain is the red iron oxide that colors our red rocks."  There is a bit of artistic license here, but truly this is what I see all around me. The critter is a little snake, which lives somewhere around  here, even when we don't see him. 
 I find with clay, it often tells me how to shape it. I make this style in three sizes. All fit so nicely in your hand,  and the clear color shows off  food or other items one might hold within. Although there is a similarity in my style within  this series, each pot is totally a one of a kind, signed by yours truly, V. Norton.

Beach Creativity

 Beach Creativity is a good theme for all artists. For me this  is going to the beach for a week in the hot summer days of Sedona, AZ. Here I am in California,   mesmerized by the hypnotic quality of the endless waves. They start way out under the sea, then crash in by the shore, engaging all my senses. 
You see it. You can smell it, and certainly you can watch it endlessly. 
 It is also finding the perfect wave, and riding into shore on my trusty boogie board. Hopefully I don't wipe out too badly, step on a sting ray, or swallow the ocean. Then it is a good run. 
Why do I call it Beach creativity? For one thing, you focus on the "now" right in front of you, as you must when starting into your creative work. Also, I think we all need a break, a vacation  from living  in our minds. These sights and sounds often help forget all the " shoulds " we tell ourselves to be doing. We  are only present in the nature before us.
And finally there seems to be clearing of the mind , a readiness to go on, when this beach is only a memory. Is there inspiration drifting in my mind as I return to my ceramics or calligraphy ? I hope so.