Studio Open House

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Swirly Spiral Goddess

This large icon box is SO much cooler in person
(or maybe this is just proof that I am, very much, not a photographer)
....anyway..... I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out and I'll definitely make more...although they'll be different...

Studio Open House

I had my first studio open house this past weekend!  It was lovely....everything came together so nicely.....the weather was perfect, I got to see lots of friends I don't see very often, my art looked amazing on the walls....I really had a great time!
Now, it's time to concentrate on the shows I have coming up.  The first one is the 2010 All Saints (perfect...right?) Episcopal Church Fall Festival on November 6th and 7th.  If you happen to be out and about in Atlanta that weekend please stop by.....the address is 634 W Peachtree Street, Atlanta GA 30308.

My Favorite

I really, really like the way this nativity turned out!  I used the new glaze I've been playing with...it sort of looks like hammered copper...very shiny... and the colors are pretty amazing....and best of all... all the pieces made it!

You Can Spit Later

Here's the thing......it's not that I hate glaze day...it's just that I have to stay SO focused....

Which reminds me...

A couple nights ago, while parking at the grocery store, a car pulled in next to me and a very tired mom got out.....this was her mantra as she turned to open the door for her son......

"Focus John, focus,
focus on getting out of the car,
focus,
focus on getting out of the car,
focus........

you can spit later".

SO, my glazing chant is...
Focus, Jenny, focus....
you can spit later.....
and the reason for all this angst?
See the paintbrushes in the picture?
Well, the top one is small, so small that some would question it's even calling itself a paintbrush... do I use this one...
NO!
I use the one below it...
which is basically eyelashes on a stick.
And the glaze?
Is it like water colors?
Nope....
It's like Silly Sand...all glumpy and dry but still wet... do I think about how I'm going to put three coats of glaze in the tiny little spaces I leave when I'm making the piece....
NO!
so, there is angst........
and, sometimes, the urge to spit.....

Now you know.

At Last! A Complete Nativity!

I think that part of what draws me to raku is it's unpredictable nature.....the humidity, temperature, dew point and tides can all effect the outcome......well, maybe not the tides and dew point but who knows?
But then, the little miracle of digging through the ashes and finding not one but three (5, counting baby Jesus and the angel wing) pieces that made it!
That sort of go together in color!
That didn't crack!!!
That's my favorite part....the part I really have no control over...oh, and the smell. I absolutely love the smell....it's sort of like lapsang souchong tea...which I've been told is an acquired taste.
Go buy some and just stick your nose in the box....lovely!
If you're the brave sort.... have a cup.  It tastes very different than it smells and it's best with nothing added.

Rare Before and After

I seldom do before and after
photos
...mostly because I never have my camera handy
... or I have too much clay on my hands..... or I'm just not thinking clearly....anyway  I spent today with my daughter (the beader)....she added drift wood and beads and charms to this tree of life icon box.  I think it turned out really nice and it's hanging on my wall at the moment!