Distortion

I decided the vase needed some refining, so I tried to take it off the bat...but it was stuck.  When I finally got it off, it distorted the bottom by pulling the wall away in one spot.  It took some time, but I think I fixed it.  I have to remember to put plastic or newspaper underneath so that things don't stick.

This is Zoey.  She likes to be outside with me when I'm gardening.




In pottery, there are so many stages before you get the final product, and all those stages lend them- selves to destruction!

Like Riding a Bicycle

Work in progress.  This is wet clay.  It will look very different when it's fired.

I started taking a class a few weeks back.  It had been over 10 years since I'd had my hands in clay.  I was hoping it would be like riding a bicycle...that it would only take a short amount of time to regain the skills I had, amateur as they were.  So, I'm happy to say that I actually feel I have slightly surpassed my previous abilities.  I have been learning many new techniques; class has been great.  Now I just need time to practice.  My goal is to enter the 2011 winter fair at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, to help pay for my new hobby.  I have bought a pass for studio time, and plan to spend 2 days a week there this summer. After attending the spring fair last weekend, I think I have some good ideas cooked up for production.
I'll keep you posted.

New Beginnings

Way back in 1970 when I was in college, I took a ceramics class.  I learned the basics of wheel throwing, and loved the process.  But due to many environmental factors beyond my control, I had almost nothing to show for all the work.  So I quit.  Throughout the years that followed, I have always had a creative hobby...I took jewelry classes, drawing classes, then watercolor and oil painting classes, and I learned alot.  But now I'm back into ceramics and I love it!  So for now, this is my new passion.