Like Molasses on a Winter Day

That's about how fast I glaze my work, for one reason: I hate glazing! Coloring between the lines to get nice crisp color definition is as tedious as it is important for my work. I have a friend who works with cone 6 red stoneware, and she simply gives her work a red iron oxide stain to make them come out beautiful. Alas, I am partial to whites with hints of bright colors.

Yesterday my to-do list was a mile long, and as it turned out, overly ambitious. What I actually got done was: organize my glazes (I got a new Ikea shelving unit that I love, because my cheap bookcase was bowing under the weight of the glazes); make some tests of new low-fire Spectrum glazes I bought, with white underneath and overtop; glaze a dragon (this took 60% of the day); load the kiln; and finish up some small slab wall sculptures.

Sticking

Yesterday I poured a two-part plaster mold for one of my double-owl designs. When I went to separate the two sides after pouring the second one, it wouldn't come apart. I don't know if I was in more of a hurry than usual and didn't give the mold soap enough time to dry after the last layer, but they were stuck. Normally I can just pull them apart or pry them apart with a metal rib.

I did eventually get them apart, thankfully! It took me several screwdrivers and metal ribs, but I finally leveraged them apart without breaking the mold. My biggest problem was that the plaster kept crumbling and chipping when I was trying to pry it apart (I insert a screwdriver/butter knife/metal rib into the seam and pivot it to push up one side and break the seal), far more than usual. It must have been because of the way I mixed it, but the mixing had actually gone really well this time. My proportion of plaster to water was 10 lbs plaster to 6.6 lbs water. In the past I have mixed it thicker (more plaster) but this time I kept to the directions. I will have to see how the plaster performs in the slipcasting.

If any of you use plaster, what proportion of plaster to water do you use?

Reactions

I get so many different reactions to each of my types of work (I'm sure most artists get that, if their friends are honest!) that it's often hard for me to follow my own sense of aesthetics. As most people do, I love compliments and aim to please, but that becomes difficult when no one is around with my same exact sense of what is beautiful-- even my twin sister! My husband likes a more modern style of art with geometric shapes and bright colors, while I like flowing curves and hue subtleties, so his feedback--while always welcome and valid-- is often contrary to my own style.

Some comments come from the observer's personal idea of what they like, and some comments are good objective reactions to the line and form and color. I am getting better at ignoring the first type, since I need to make work I believe in rather than what I think will sell or what I hope other people will like.

However, I have found that almost anyone, no matter their personal style, can give insightful feedback as to form and whether something "works". My current problem is that I don't get enough regular in-depth feedback on my work since I rarely have visitors. I am able to bring my visions to life, but without the feedback I doubt I will improve as fast as I did when I could ask someone to take a look twice a week.

First Juried Show

Good news last week-- Callie and I got into our first juried show!

We will be at the 2009 Artsfest at Annmarie Gardens in Solomons Island, Maryland. I have been to this show several times in the past and dreamed that someday I would be among the artists rather than the guests. Callie and I applied together as a joint entry because we doubted that we would have enough work to support separate booths. Plus it's more fun with a friend!

This means, of course, that Callie and I have two shows this year! I need to get to work-- I need twice as much artwork as expected, and three months earlier than I thought!

Dogs in the Studio

Having someone in the studio with me usually helps me get more work done. Even if they are working on their own projects, their mere presence and industriousness inspires me to work harder. Or we can chat as we work, which Callie and I have been known to do for hours on end.

My studio in Huntingtown, however, comes with two inhabitants that aren't so helpful in getting work done. To the left is Bandit, who loves to be under my feet, or as close as he can get. He also has the uncanny ability to tell where I am going to want to walk next, and lays down in the exact spot that creates the maximum obstruction. But he's cute so he gets away with it!

To the right is Freckles, who prefers to sit at the top of the steps (my studio down a 3/4 flight of stairs from the rest of the house) and supervise from on high. This way she also gets petted whenever I go up or down the stairs.

I have to admit, the studio would be even lonelier without my companions! When I am stuck on a project, they take me for a walk in the wildlife area nearby. They keep me relatively clean, since I don't want them tracking too much clay, dust, and plaster all over the house. And while it is irritating at times to always be yelling "Bandit, MOVE!" when I have a heavy bag or sculpture in my arms, it is uplifting to be around two blissfully content creatures :]