Unexpected

With limited time each week that I can devote to being in the studio, I often go into the studio on Thursday mornings with a plan of what it is I want to do for the day.  Some mornings it is as simple as knowing if I am going to throw on the wheel or spend some time hand building.  Other days I go in with a specific goal or creation in mind. This particular morning I had a very specific idea of what it was I wanted to accomplish.  I had some remnants of clay bags that I wanted to clean out and use up before I purchased  any new materials.  I also knew I wanted to do some hand building with a  two textured vase  in mind.  All began well as I rolled out my slabs found my texture and  began to  assemble my pieces  on the base I had ready.  Then oops! I stood it up  and as I was sealing my seams, it slumped to one side.I scrambled to straighten it  then walked away from it to look for something that would help me support it on the inside while I  worked on the outside.  It slumped again. Sometimes that is all it takes.  Walking away from a piece  and looking at it from a different angle to see what it really needs.  Or in this case see what  it is calling to be.  As I returned from across the room I knew instantly what I was going to do with that slump and bulge that was emerging from my form.  If I had been stuck in my thinking that day I would have completely missed this.  I gave it another bulge and a belly full of life.  She quickly came to life. It felt like she emerged  almost on her own.   I love this piece for so many reasons one of them being a huge reminder that sometimes I need to put my own agenda aside and listen; letting  my work speak to me.    

Welcome to the Blog

A Peac-a Work was developed from a need to create:

  

I have been building and designing things from my earliest memories.  I remember things like building cars and buses from boxes.  My friends and I "drove" up and down the driveway for hours a day until there was nothing left of them.  I remember designing new clothes for my dolls.  Then there was my Girl Scout Troop, I was eight and the couple who were our troop leaders were working artists during their day jobs.  I thought that was the coolest thing ever.  Paris was their last name and I remember he was a graphic artist, who loved drawing detailed cartoons (at that time as a hobby), and she was a textile designer.  I remember her sharing with me one of her fabric painting techniques.  I loved it ALL instantly.  It was like finding a new connection to myself.  At summer camp that year I had the experience of making several coil pots and firing them in a pit we dug in the ground.  Although I no longer have those little treasures, I remember them well.  I loved the feel of the clay in my hands, the smell, and how cool it was when it was still damp.  I remember the smoke spots that appeared to dance on the surface of the clay once it was fired.  It was like speaking a whole new language for me; a whole new way of expression.

As time moved on; I studied art whenever I had the chance.  I studied ceramics and design in college (my first time around) but as life sometimes has it, other things took over and I moved onto another path.  Over the years I always went back to being creative when I had the chance.  I was learning to do more with sewing, taking classes in basket weaving, and returning to pottery when I was able - knowing clearly that clay was always my first love.

Today I still love learning new things that help me grow more as a person.  As I continue to do that, I have discovered I am creating more peace within my life by becoming more closely acquainted with my creative nature.  A Peac-A Work was born of this thought.  I wanted an outlet for all of my works to be shared with family and friends as well as others that enjoy the craftsmanship of handmade arts.  A Peac-A Work features the work of several artists that would like to share their creations with the world.  My hope is that you will get to know these artists and enjoy a piece of their work.  –Regi