· -Recover from the busy holiday season
· -Help my husband recuperate from surgery
· -Take time to have a good old fashioned cold and baby
myself completely, and
· -takes notes, write down ideas and sketch
It has been a nice luxury,
minus the coughs and fever.
I am excited to get back into
the studio and put some of these ideas into action. I just loaded a kiln full
of test tiles and experiments. I am as excited as I was when I fired my first
pot 10 years ago!
I promised myself to sit down
today and write for the blog – something
I had no time for October – December.
Right before I sat down, I read a Facebook Post from an old instructor
of mine from Charlotte North Carolina. Ron Philbeck posted to the effect, he
would love to make bakeware that folks use at home everyday, casseroles, mugs, bakers
etc. He commented on the “repetitive “
nature of such work and how some would find this boring or monotonous. His parting comment, was that it would not
have to be that way.
It got me thinking about the
work that I have been doing and what I want to do in 2013. I do enjoy greatly making work that is used
in everyday life. Pieces that not only invite use, but demand it! Everyday bake ware, crocks, mugs, chicken
roasters, platters and such that folks will use in their daily kitchen
routines. I find great joy in making these useful, functional pieces. Pieces
that become part of family traditions, celebrations and nightly meals.
I think I will always make
such pieces because of my own love of cooking and my ongoing goal of having all
handmade ceramic work in my kitchen. I
have to admit though, that come September - December of any given year….I have
been known to say, “If I make another Chicken/Veggie Roaster, I may slit my wrists!” I admit that I do tire after just so
many.
That being said, I agree with
Ron’s comments. It does not have to get monotonous. I find that this time of the new year, I am so excited for the
possibilities, the new ideas, the new glaze combinations and new forms to make.
My plan is to keep with some
of my basic forms, but explore new shapes, handles, surface treatments, and
glaze combinations. I love this art form
so much because literally the possibilities are endless. I do want to explore some more decorative
treatments and sculpture this year, but it all can be applied the basic
functional forms that I love to make as well.
So off I go back to the
studio, to explore, create, learn and express myself in new and exciting ways
for 2013!
Hope to see you around to
discover how it all turns out!
