Play Days

I always carry around a feeling of guilt anytime I don't spend my extra time in the studio. Yesterday was a GORGEOUS Savannah day in January. The skies were bright and blue, it was a warm and spring-like 62 degrees, and there was no possible way to spend my time in a room with no windows. It's not yet warm enough to move back into my studio space at home, so I left SCAD and caught up on a few errands. I got groceries, cooked lunch, developed my sour dough bread recipe (hope this one works!), and my sister and I FINALLY took down the Christmas decorations/tree. I also just sat in front of my large bay window in the sun and read a book. It was so delightful and a much needed day of rest.
However, today I am struggling to leave my house again. Sometime this happens to me. I've been on such a great creative streak, spending most of my time in the studio. I realize that I need a break every now and then, but I also know that I have a show coming up in March. I want to have my best work on display. I have pots to glaze here, but I also know that I need to finish working on some greenware on my shelf. I can't get my mind in the right place to get up and go. I have pieces in a glaze and bisque kiln, so I'm hoping those will spur me to create more. Yet I can always do that tomorrow. Hmm...it's only 10:30am, so perhaps I will find it in me to go and at least finish one piece before the day is gone. :)

Before leaving here are some of the pieces that are currently in the bisque kiln:












The vase is a late, very late Christmas gift for me sister. I made the teacups earlier, and they were in the kiln when I made the saucers, so hopefully that will all work out. :) The forms with lids are going to be jars, and I'm going to made beaded handles for them.

Terra Sig and S.P.A.C.E. show

In undergrad, all of my work was high fire. Since being at SCAD, I have transitioned to using terra cotta/white earthenware. Recently, I have been admiring work from Amy Sanders and Elise Pincu, and decided that I should try my hand at making a terra sigillata. Terra sig is a mixture of the finest particles of clay and water. When you add it to greenware, burnish it slightly, and fire the clay, you have a satiny shine. I like the softness that terra sig gives a piece over the high intensity shine of a clear glaze. So I did some digging and found a fascinating article by Vince Pitelka detailing the ins and outs of terra sig, so I set about to work.

I found that I was very impatient regarding the setting time, but I left it alone for approximately 4 days. I will soon test the result in a kiln firing coming up to see if all my hard work paid off.

I have been at SCAD using the ceramics facilities because my studio has been freezing. I can't wait to move back in during the Spring, but for now SCAD works. I have found that I am very prolific when I come in and focus on the weekends. I've been investing about 25 hours each week, while maintaining the 40 hr job at SCAD. I've been trying to prepare for a show at Savannah's Place for Art, Culture, and Education (S.P.A.C.E.) Gallery in March that is rapidly approaching. Meanwhile, my work that is in The Gallery has been selling, so I need to restock. :-O!