I heard from the gallery that this turquoise colored vase was just sold. It stands about a foot tall, and is adorned with genuine Arizona turquoise stones. How nice that someone wants to own my vision of this handmade vessel. It has a clear white interior, which is actually the porcelain clay covered by a high fired clear glaze. Thus it can hold water. Oblong in shape, it feels modern to me, almost architectural in form. The vertical strips of clay on the front draw the eye up and down. The turquoise pieces add some fun to it!
Perhaps it was appreciated mainly for its style and color, and will be used for decorative purposes. I like to think of it holding a colorful bouquet of flowers. As I came down Oak Creek canyon tonight, I saw the bright yellow blossoms of summer's last wild flowers blooming. What a nice vision - colorful blossoms emerging from my vase.
Last night I was awakened by the sound of hard rain coming down. I also heard the sound of hoof beats on the deck. It was a herd of javalina, technically a collard peccary, that hog like creature that wandered from South America to the cliffs of Sedona.
They were looking for a place to get out of the rain. I asked them to leave, rather emphatically, and they lumbered off.Then they returned, using the stairs again, no less. I clapped my hands, made noise, turned on the porch lights and finally they departed, again.I saw the silhouette of a very small young one.
This was not my first sighting, having lived here so many years. I remember how funky they smell close up. I have observed how pointed are the tusks on the dominant male. He has to protect his whole harem of females and young.
However it was a very dark and stormy night, with the rain coming down in torrents. Awakened as I was from dreamland, this was not my idea of fun.
We can almost forget for a moment, living in our civilized town, just how close to the wilderness we really are. But in the night, all creatures great and small emerge.It is their land, but we do share it.
Perhaps I will be drawing a peccary on an art creation in my future!
Lettering on clay, I love it! Here is my latest porcelain plaque entitled "Speak the Truth", spoken by a well known Native American,we know as Chief Joseph.
I write using a small, natural bristle brush.That seems to have some flexibility on this surface.The white of the clay shows off the blue of the cobalt oxide.Covered in a clear glaze, fired to a high temperature, it can last forever.I even make the bead that decorates the hanger. This is definitely an original!
Chief Joseph was the leader of the Nez Perce tribe. Despite a treaty with Washington,his tribe was force to leave their beloved lands in northeastern Oregon. I admire his writings. I have used his words in my more traditional calligraphy pieces.
This quote seems so relevant to me.
How often have you noticed how people go on and on when they are avoiding the truth? Perhaps they assume you will forget the question as you drown in verbiage?
Lesson to self. Less is more.
I
Just give peace a chance. That'a a start.We're all in this together.
These feelings inspired my latest creation in ceramics. The title is " Words of Peace". A fourteen inch plate that hangs on the wall like a canvas, or stands on its foot on the table.I made the letters big and bold. I want the phrase to stand out and grab the viewer's eyes and heart.
This is an experimental approach to both ceramics and calligraphy for me,as I use my own interpretation of the Uncial style alphabet. Who says letters have to be all in a row? I like engaging the viewer's attention in what they are seeing.
After many years as a pen and ink calligrapher, I am enjoying the medium of clay on which to write my letters. It adds a dimensional quality to the piece. Using low fire glazes insure that bright, almost poster like quality I am seeking. It's an all new direction. What do you think?
Since I went to the racetrack in my last blog, I thought it would be fun to share my vision of one way I like to portray my four legged friends in clay. This platter is titled " Horses of Courses". It measures about ten inches high, by fourteen wide, and is both decorative and also food safe and functional .
I love using brighter colors and having the ability to paint in more detail. I use low fire glazes on most of my masks and folk art pieces, and then fire the kiln to a lower temperature. It takes a long time to paint in the spots on the pinto, and make their manes and tails fly in the wind as they gallop along to who knows where off into the wild blue yonder!
I think what I like best is the sense that I am using my clay as a canvas, something I have written before. I like the feeling that I am painting an abstraction of my equine friends.Recognizable in form, yet somewhat mysterious.I want my viewer to see their own story when they look at my work. What do you see in this ceramic image?
Here I am at the the Del Mar Racetrack, checking out the ponies before the next race begins.
It is a warm summer day near the ocean in California. I needed a break from our hot Arizona summers. How nice to be near the ocean in such a lovely location, participating in one of the oldest sports there are. Horses are so sleek and beautiful.This is about as close as I could get to them before the race.You can almost feel a certain tension in the air.There is money riding on these beauties. The excitement is almost palpable.
I attended with my friend who had never been to a race. Being a former California girl myself , I had gone to Del Mar, way back when. We about broke even.
So I always like to bring my art into my blog. Included in my "critter series" is a ceramic platter with horses running, and a bowl, and even a horse box with a mane. I do love the equine silhouette. What a fun day to refresh my appreciation and inspire my next creation.
Since I have been writing about my "critter" art work, as I call it, I thought it was appropriate to show my piece entitled " Red Cat Platter". Here you have two kitties checking out that little creature in between them. I wonder if they are thinking ," Now there is a catch".
I have recently become acquainted with some felines. The older cat often lets out a howl of victory as she drags up an object of prey to her master. No matter that it is a wrapper, she is still the huntress. I'm pleased that these animals still have a wildness within their domesticated selves. I remember many years ago seeing a pride of lions in the wild. My main thought was how similar they are to our house cats.
I like painting cats with their recognizable silhouette. Dog owners want to see their specific breed. Since this is a low fired ceramic piece, I can use brighter and more unusual colors.Who says cats can't be purple?
My platters are fairly large, measuring about fourteen inches across. A nice quality here is that not only can you hang it on the wall as decoration, but it is functional as well. How much fun to get to eat up all the finger food and see these creatures looking at you.
I enjoy making art that makes you smile.
