Falling
So in my last post I was extolling my summer productivity; now, safely into October, I can affirm with at least a bit of smugness that I have continued to be a very busy girl. Last night, sipping mulled wine and basking in front of the second living-room fire of the season, I reminded myself of this dropped stitch — the documentation part — and, ahem, I am here to pick it back up. First both in degree of importance and frequency: clay.
It’s vital, I think, to test these things out before committing to them. Are you a lady who wears glasses? Clonky 1950s frames to boot? Then you want to check your tea bowls before they come home to roost, or something.
In August I went to camp: http://www.menucha.org/. For a week. It was such an indulgence — no cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping (aka drudgery in triplicate by means of compulsiveness). We had 24hr studio time and home baked bread with every meal. My course was Ceramics, and there were six or so others happening elsewhere on the grounds. Near the end of the week we smoke fired our bisqueware in garbage cans out on the well-hosed lawn. The day felt near as hot as the temp of the trashkilns. I think my projects emerged successful.
Above is my bird-head whistle and (I think?) a vase. In the case of the latter, I really just did what the clay told me. I’ve decided the vigor of that whisper — the clay’s I mean — is a sign that I’m doing something right. Here, also, are my stones:
They are not perhaps the most impressive of my projects, but I think they were my favorite. Two pinch pots apiece, joined with a coil, then paddled to silky asymmetrical smoothness, thumbed and coddled, and burnished with terra sigillata. And lit on fire in a garbage can.
In other news, jmags and I have decided we will probably seek larger quarters in early spring. I’m so hoping for a yard, where I can brick out a corner for my own trashkiln.
P.S. I’ve been making strides on the food front, too. Pics soon.