Rotary…

February 15, 2010Leave a comment

Main Entry: ¹ro·ta·ry

Pronunciation: ?r?-t?-r?

Function: adjective

Etymology: Medieval Latin rotarius, from Latin rota wheel

Date: circa 1731

1 a : turning on an axis like a wheel b : taking place about an axis <rotary motion>
2 : having an important part that turns on an axis <rotary cutter>
3 : characterized by rotation

Yesterday I had to purchase a new Dremel rotary tool. I think my deceased Dremel was 20 years old. I purchased it after college, an all purpose tool for drilling, polishing… I had concentrated in metals and painting; on my way toward mixed media even then…

Over the last few years the Dremel has become even more essential in the studio. Drill beach glass – Dremel and diamond tip drill bits. Holes for a Coptic stitch book binding? Stitching elements into a collage on canvas – and the wooden stretcher bars are in the way? Reaming glaze from the hole in a ceramic pendant? Grinding a spiral shell into a nubbin to set in a bezel? My new Dremel was initiated today – cleaning up holes in pendants for my Trunk Show at the Shepherdess in March…

Although I selected the word for one reason, it has been rattling around in my head… I had an extremely productive day in the studio today – moving efficiently from task to task, lost in the timelessness of work that is nourishing to the soul… In a way I was the axis, reaching out to the tasks and tools spread around me, completing a shrine, turning to cast new pendants in a plaster mold, then handles on mugs, then turning again…

So much better than the days when you feel you are spinning out of control, or cycling through one thing to the other, without satisfaction, results, pleasure. And there is a welcome routine to a cyclical routine, a comfortable fit of work, chores, play… I for one, treasure the routines I have created for myself, and treasure each day that my work is… what I love.

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” Rumi

Intention

February 9, 20102 Comments

in·ten·tion

Pronunciation: in-?ten(t)-sh?n

Function: noun

Date: 14th century

1 : a determination to act in a certain way : resolve
2 : import, significance
3 a : what one intends to do or bring about b : the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered
4 : concept; especially : a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge

I have come to enjoy blogging. What started as… I should… has become I enjoy, but… I have the best intentions, thinking of things that would be interesting topics, taking phone pix while unloading a kiln… but never posting the blog entry. So I set myself a challenge, a framework for some of my entries this year. My intention is to be inspired by a word and definition once a week, as in this entry. I also have a plan to do an A to Z of entries. It occurred to me: 26 letters, 52 weeks. Subtract January – whoops – and some letters ( X, Z) only need one entry. So, loyal reader – join me on this venture?

When I lived in San Diego I had a teacher/artist/mentor friend, Sibyl Rubottom. She often chose the alphabet book as a format for her artists books. She was a printer, and a bookbinder, and a painter… and makes a mean latte. So I see where the A to Z idea comes from. And no, this isnt a literary blog, but I do welcome inspiration from all directions.

Now – pictures: This weekend we had an epic snowstorm in Delaware. I intended to do a million things while snowed in. I did quite a few, and had a great weekend, except for the shoveling… I intend to do more “play” in the studio tomorrow, as they are calling for another big dump of snow! snow 2.10 This was first thing in the morning; about 1/2 of our total.

To do list – made with all good intentions.

scones Shoveling – earns a person fresh baked scones!

mm book pendants And the focus of my studio time – experimenting with Mixed media book pendants. Fabricated metal covers, textured, grommeted, with embellishments… They measure 1″ x 2″ if I remember correctly. Maybe during tomorrow’s snow I will do the mini collages and watercolors forthe pages! More on these later, definitely.

Camera vs phone?

February 4, 20104 Comments

wheel view

This was my view yesterday. Now, I dont throw often, so when I get the urge – I go for it and throw many things. Yesterday, it was 2 bowls and 5 mugs. Still not a ton, I know, but I worked on other things too! I have a replacement mug to make for my friend Keith in Sydney, and a more local friend Amy, has begun hinting… oh so subtly.

Here’s another work in progress picture: shrines in progress

Two shrines, textured and distressed a bit, now drying. And yes, those are owl pendants peeking out from the right side! Too sweet, looking forward to glazing those!

So – the question of the day – are these pictures decent enough? Is the image quality acceptable? I was reading a post somewhere – mind like a sieve, cant remember, so I couldnt link to it… The debate was voiced by an artist who had a really nice camera, which stayed home for the beauty shots, and a point and shoot to be out and about, pictures on the go. It got me thinking. I have a digital point and shoot, which takes great pix. I never take it with me. Whenever I am out and about I take pictures with my phone. These studio pix were shot with my LG phone yesterday. I am willing to sacrifice some picture quality for convenience and practicality. I mean, I am in a ceramics studio, I am usually covered in clay – which I do not want inside and all over my camera. So the phone, which is always with me – is the perfect tool.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Plethora

February 2, 2010Leave a comment

Main Entry: pleth·o·ra

Pronunciation: ?ple-th?-r?

Function: noun

Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Greek pl?th?ra, literally, fullness, from pl?thein to be full — more at full

Date: 1541

2 : excess, superfluity; also : profusion, abundance

I decided this year, well – last month to give myself some goals, or guidelines – around which to blog. I have plenty to say, Ha Ha, and needed a structure or a schedule to help make sure I got "it" said… So I decided on words. THe etymology fascinates me, and I am going to use words and definitions as a jumping off point for posts on Mondays. Yes, its Tuesday; late already…

Yesterday was one of those days. Nothing went wrong, but I ended the day with a feeling of unease, or rather dissatisfaction. I felt like I had nothing to show for my day, no major item ticked off the to-do-list. Yet I had worked non-stop. Looking back, I had accomplished a plethora of small goals:

Prep for evening glazing workshop.
Check on Sat. students work, re-wrap.
Discussed art after school program proposal for grant funds with my program coordinator.
Grocery shop for the week, with menu planned out for all weeknights!
Get special dog food at vet’s. Make appt. for dog to see vet.
Load of laundry.
Make a batch of pendants and buttons in white stoneware.
List 2 "Love" themed mixed media collages on Etsy.
Teach workshop.

Didnt get the blog written, put off some emails…But it was a productive day in a tortoise not a hare sort of way, know what I mean?

To quote Scarlett O’Hara – "Tomorrow is another day." So with that, I am off to the studio, list in hand!

Happy Hour Trunk Show!

January 28, 2010Leave a comment

pendants in a tray

Although my last post refered to the slow internal clock I have had of late, and the feelings of gradually waking up – one thing I have been working on is new small tiles, aka pendants. The colorful ones, shown above, you may have seen before. They debuted in September of 2009. I have improved upon these, and a few new designs I have scuplted and cast. Just waiting for the plaster molds to dry…

Then there are the new bits – this is the first batch. Fired to ^10 reduction, I wanted to test them, see the shrinkage first hand, etc before launching ahead. I am pleased with the results, yes?

hi fire

They are so different from the former – earthy and rustic, rich warm tones. I love them and cant wait to do the next batch.

These pendants charm and buttons are being created specially for a Trunk Show at the Shepherdess in San Diego. I am fortunate to fly west each spring to see my dear friend Cooky, the proprietor/head shepherdess. And to work with my friend, the ever inspiring Keith LoBue – during his annual workshop cycle here in the US.

So this year, my trip will be two-fold! (March 19th is my trunk show – if you happen to be in Cali…) Off to the basement ceramics studio, coffee in hand, dog in tow… to make more stuff!

Hibernate

January 25, 2010Leave a comment

hi.ber.nate

1. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as certain animals. 2. to remain in seclusion.

Well, it certainly seems that way! Here it is, the fourth and final week in January and I am posting the first post of the year. You would think that I had been tucked under a blanket, cozy, lethargic, with a book and a cat…

I apologize – the whirlwind that swept me away in December – finishing gifts, decorating, mailing packages to family, shopping and wrapping…had me in its sway well into January. I am indeed, still finishing my brother’s mixed media collage – his Christmas present. And I read all the posts on blogs that I follow – wishing readers a happy new year, discussing their resolutions, and I await inspiration. Some witty or wise epiphany that I can go on about here. Needless to say it didnt come.

I have a few ideas percolating, ideas to add zip to this ole blog…but they are still percolating. So while I tend to those, I can give you this:

Social networking. I have jumped in with a splash. Please feel free to follow me on Twitter, or become a fan of my work on my Facebook page. And please visit my etsy site! New items are being added… each week? My computer savvy husband is to thank for the links and the feeds, and the success of the overall venture. Marketing tends to NOT come easily to an artist, but I am giving it a go! Thanks for reading, I will be here more often, now that I have woken up the blog!

Catching up… and a Faerie necklace

December 1, 20091 Comment

December 1st. Whew. November was a whirlwind – FaerieCon, a trip to TX, Thanksgiving… and I have posts to illuminate all of the above. But first, just snuck in last night under the deadline:

My entry for the November Art Bead Scene challenge: My ceramic pendant is my faerie, glazed in matte blue grey, and charcoal, and lavendar. I have strung the beads, (Czech glass, and MofP buttons) on charcoal waxed linen. I wanted to create a jumble, a little chaotic, as if the fey herself had gathered up precious bits, adding them to her necklace as treasures came to her… A fey magpie collecting flotsam and jetsum; a bit like Hoggle in "Labyrinth"?

NOV ABS

(Sorry for the bad pix) The inspiration was "The Faery Feller’s Master Stroke" by Richard Dadd. The painting is elaborate, frenetically detailed. Dadd had some history or mental illness…

And although my piece is lighter and more ethereal than the original, I couldn’t pass up a Faerie theme, could I?

pendant detail

Greetings from FaerieCon!

November 7, 2009Leave a comment

Here we are. It has begun. Yesterday was fun, after the frantic ended! The venue is nice; I chatted with Charles deLint…

Today is a full day, with presenters, panels, and more importantly – the Faerie fashion show! Speaking of fashion – I am wearing an outfit by Xylem clothes. The most gorgeous silky soy fabric. And since I have no pockets I felt justified in making a purchase last night. A wee leather puch – rusty coppery red, soft as silk – just the right size for cell phone and lipstick. I await it eagerly!

Nicole leather

Here’s Nicole of Folklore Leather. I have peruse many leather pouches in my Ren Fest days, and this beats them all. Mehndi inspired designs, exquisite detail… and the bead embellishment on my bag – a rabbit. It was fated for me to have this one!

But how can I resist?

November 3, 20091 Comment

Enchanted Adornments

It just arrived. I have been waiting for months. Pre-ordered from Amazon – in April?

And FaerieCon is in 2 days. So I cant curl up with a cuppa and read Cynthia Thornton’s fabulous book. Yet. I did get expedited shipping so I could have it to take to FaerieCon with me… And show it off to anyone interested. I hope I will have Green Girl Studios pendants to sell as well. Andrew should be sending them to me…

No, I am not procrastinating…Why do you ask?

Happy Halloween…

November 3, 2009Leave a comment

Yes, I know that today is the 3rd. Have I mentioned lately that FaerieCon is Friday? This Friday? 2 days away?

Halloween night my husband I I left the house, choosing a healthy and relaxed sushi dinner over sugar stomach aches ( Because you know you eat the candy too!) and crazy dog barking for every knock…

After dinner – coffee at Borders: Glitter reindeer

Like I said: "Happy Halloween"?!?!?!

Jenny Davies-Reazor

artist, teacher

Category: Uncategorized