Blooming.

I look out my window and the whole world seems to be blooming. Bright red flowers cover my Camilla. Small pink blossoms scatter around the plum tree. Here and there daffodils I planted long ago add a pop of bright yellow. 

Inside, I’m working in my studio and recovering from health issues. I work a little slower but even so, new things are popping up. Like this silly, google-eyed bird. Where did he come from? I don’t know. Where will he go? Again, I don’t know. 

Experimenting. 

I used to have a schedule: throwing on Tuesday, handbuilding on Wednesday but that’s not happening now. I notice that I’m less interested in throwing functional pieces and more interested in handbuilding and sculptural pieces. 

Not sure why this is happening and that’s ok. I started out doing sculpture and learned to throw when I was gifted with a wheel. In the last 10 years, throwing has been the focus. But now, the focus has slowly shifted again. I have to say, I’m having fun with these quirky little figures that are popping up. 

Recovering. 

I’ve had health issues this year that I’ve never had before. I’ll admit, it’s been scary. Seeing different doctors every time is weird, too. But this week, I had my first virtual doctor visit and I have to say it was wonderful. The doctor truly listened to my concerns and offered support and solutions. I’m grateful. 

I see flowers blooming all around me

And it gives me hope

My body recovered and strong

New work crazy and colorful 

Everything moving and growing.  

March Forth!

It’s March. The month of trees budding, daffodils blooming and St. Patrick’s Day. And time to move the clocks forward in my part of the planet. And the first day of Spring is this week!

With all the changes in and around my life, I’ve struggled a bit to keep going at times. But when I saw someone post, “march forth” on March fourth, I took it as my ‘marching’ orders. It’s time. Time for me to quit looking back in sadness and fear and start moving forward. 

Marching Forth in the Studio. 

In the last blog, I had a picture of a cone 6 kiln load. Even after all these years working in clay, I can’t predict how pieces will turn out in the final glaze firing. In that firing, some pieces cracked, some stuck to the kiln stilts and a piece warped. I did get 3 beautiful new red Lily Vases. 

Last week, I glazed and fired some big black and white leaf platters, 3 little polar bears and a new cat figure. I’m so glad this time, everything came out perfect! Whew!

Springing Forward.  

This year has had many challenges and the last few weeks have been no exception. My darling Darby got into something when I let him out for his last potty break. It was raining and I couldn’t see what he was doing but a trip to the vet was necessary. He’s fine now, but it was scary. 

I’ve been doing a lot of experimenting in the studio this year. Instead of throwing functional pieces, I’ve been doodling with sculpture again. Sculpture is where I started with clay and now I’m back to doing it again. This time, bigger animals with more detail. Where these will go? I don’t know. And that’s ok. 

It’s time to claim my new life chapter

Is throwing out and hand building in?

Work taking a backseat to fun?

I’ll take a clue from the daffodils,

Let it bloom