Adopt the pace of Nature

Adopt the pace of Nature: her secret is patience.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

With any new artistic medium there is the learning, the doing and most importantly, the waiting. There should always be a waiting part but I am not a very patient artist. After three kids I have learned to be a very tolerant and patient person, though not when it comes to creating. An inspirational fire burns within me and can be unstoppable, even during the necessary “waiting” time of artmaking.

Knowing how I like to explore new mediums, a couple of years ago the Gallery gave me a glass kiln for Christmas. A most wonderful and generous gift that left me a Bullseye fanatic for a few short months. However, I soon learned that I am not glass worthy. I kept pulling my pieces out too soon, under slumping, over heating, cutting and creating furiously all trying to cut essential temperature and waiting time corners. I keep a small, beautiful glass fish I made, hanging in my studio that has a sad fracture at the wire as a reminder of my impatience.

The clay fish and sea tiles I have been working on have had sufficient time to dry, only because of the delay in getting the kiln installed. Now that the kiln is ready to be loaded, I am nervous for the new clay projects that lie ahead. The waiting time for drying is paramount to success as is the firing, soak and cooling…

Metal is a good medium for me, not too fragile, needs a lot of muscle, bends back and takes a beating. As my husband lovingly tells me, I cook like I weld, HOT and FAST! A few metal sculptures are silently weathering and gaining beautiful patinas in the garden. That is a good place for them, patiently waiting for Nature to add her beauty.

The dog at my homework...

Yes, I should have been welding, or technically it was a (plasma) cutting day. I needed to start on new work and finish up a piece I’m donating to the KAKM Art Auction. We are a PBS kind of family and enjoy being able to support public television at the local level. The reason I wasn’t in the shop working, was that the Meadows called…

The Alpenglow was so spectacular we needed to be out and revel in it. For a brief time the sun warmed and illuminated the whole valley. We skied in winter’s wonder. I took (way too many) digital images to use for future inspiration trying to capture Nature’s miracle. While I paused to take in the surrounding mountains I thought of how my friend Steve would be able to capture the magnificent light and colors in his paintings.

Wanting to feel the creative heat

Primarily as a metal artist working in steel, it was exactly a year ago I dreaded layering up in my Carhartt’s, slinging the frigid 4x8 sheets of steel up onto the cutting table, firing up my welder and plasma cutter and create some art. The concrete floor was as cold as the metal and I could see my breath, even in the heated shop. My creative mind romanced new thoughts of working in warmer “indoor” mediums when the North winds blew and the temps dipped below zero. I had been wanting to work in clay again, especially after an incredible Raku experience I had with Gina last Fall.

Combined with Alaska’s weather challenges that exist in my artmaking and wanting to add some sculptural elements to my steel pieces has lead me back to the medium of clay. I admit, working with a red-hot kiln and feeling warm clay from the earth has always appealed to me. Though it has taken a year to get set-up for the new medium addition to my studio, it has been worth it. I purchased a slab roller this last summer, a kiln this last fall and miscellaneous glazes and clay along the way. With the recent addition of an electric kiln being hard wired with an electronic temperature controller, additional exterior power and professional wiring in the shop I’m ready for the new creative HEAT!

One of the first loads in the kiln will be the clay fish sculptures I made from the press molds created this summer with Bill Sabo. The clay fish and tiles have been on the drying racks for over a month waiting for the kiln install. I’ve included some images from the Sabo-Shake mold making project. Bill is dad to the famous and talented Agnes Barton-Sabo or better known as The New Adventures of BettyTurbo at Etsy. Bill and I made molds using potters plaster and semi-frozen fish. I went on to make various seascape themed tile molds from starfish and sand dollars I have collected over the years and shells I found beach combing in Homer.

I will probably wait until after the New Year holiday when I’m back in the studio full time to have a couple of uninterrupted days for my first firing.

Sharing this beautiful Holiday Eve

On this special eve, the Luminaria I made of ice, shines bright tonight.

The mountain lights are lighting the way for the night skiers on Mt. Alyeska.

Wishing everyone peace of mind, good health and love this Christmas Eve.

“Visit Me Oh Creative Spirit" Shrine-a-rella

“Visit Me Oh Creative Spirit”
I designed this original "Shrine-a-rella" as a call to the creative spirits. The small box containing the “wish” is a vintage keepsake box with the message of “visit me oh creative spirit.” The open arms represent my willingness and openness to be guided by the gift of creative inspiration from somewhere outside of myself. The Milagros of hearts, keys and wings are symbols of my desire to be true to the creative spirit, wherever that may come from. The pink shell and small iconic ballerina are symbols of my girl self atop of the desires of the alter. There are used paintbrushes and hand painted enamel finishes.

Above Left: Shrine-a-rella's from my Show in June at Half Moon Creek Gallery. The image at the left shows “Visit Me Oh Creative Spirit” in progress. I like to start with wood bases of reclaimed pine and thrift store finds of small boxes or frames. Liquid Nails works well for construction, but my new Bostitch Finish Nailer with compressor ROCKS!

December is a good time for reflection

November was a good time for giving thanks and as the busiest time of the year approaches, I always feel that December is a good time for reflection. I am thankful for the hard work Half Moon Creek Gallery family is putting in for all of the talented resident artists. Thanks Girls!

"For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson