Creative Souls Workshop - Family Tree

Saturday, June 7, 2008 - Family Tree

The goal of this workshop was to reconnect with your ancestors and to create a tree that reflected who they were using different color and patterns for the leaves.

Joanne, Laurel, Vicki and Heather participated in the workshop. It was held at Heart & Soul Healing Art Center in the back yard under a GIANT Fig Tree. The weather was perfect and the session quiet as we each reflected on where we came from and how it is part of who we are.

Each tree is as unique as the individual who created it.

May Pottery

I have spent most of May at the Pottery Studio working on Scottie ornaments to take to the Scottie Convention in June.














Earlier this month I purchased Hydro-Bats. They are made of plaster and have the pin holes for the potter's wheel. They are far superior to the plastic bats I had been using when throwing as they do not flex when you remove them from the wheel. They have take some time to get used to as the clay does not adhere in the same way. I have had two pieces near completion that have flown off the wheel and been lost.

My first two successes with the new bats are this small lidded bowl thrown with Black Mountain clay and glazed with Korean Blue and a hanging bowl for a plant (not pictured). The hanging bowl is thrown the reverse of a traditional bowl. Instead of pulling the walls out, the walls are pulled in to form a dome over the air pocket and it is sealed until the clay is leather hard. At that point, it is trimmed and the holes are made for the wire (to hang it) and drainage. I will photograph it once I have it strung up with wire.













Below are three pieces thrown on the hydro-bats and trimmed, yesterday. The texture is called chattering. It is done when the piece is trimmed to add interest. It is hard to understand the size in these pictures, but these are some of the largest pieces I have thrown. Also, the vase is the lightest piece, I've ever created. The secret is to trim away the excess clay without going through the piece. I get nervous about going through (which I have done), so my pieces remain heavier than they should be. These were thrown using Nara porcelain. Once they are completely dried they will be bisque fired, glazed and high-fired.

Creative Souls Workshop at Heart & Soul

This past Saturday at Heart & Soul Healing Art Center in Pasadena, the Creative Souls Workshop made crowns from lace and other found objects.

Everyone started with a chicken wire base and used wire cutters to create the shape of their crown. You can see how each crown reflects is as unique as the person who created it.

#1 -- Veronica
#2 -- Donna
#3 -- Marie
#4 -- Heather

Most of the lace and jewelry was found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

Next month, Saturday, June 7, we will be putting together a family tree. Hope to see you there.

Most Recent Painting

With moving this past year, painting has gotten pushed a bit to the side. However, last fall, after my friend David Cammack passed away from Liver Cancer and I knew I had to paint this landscape.

Only a year earlier, David had returned excited from a trip with his partner to Canada. He shared his pictures of his partner's family home. We talked about how the one photo would make a great painting. He was hoping to paint himself, but the chemo treatments and cancer did not allow him to do so.

I only hope I captured what David imagined "A Different Life" would be.

"A Different Life"

Oil on Canvas

30" x 24"

Recently Completed Pottery

As I have mentioned in prior posts - a piece of pottery (with my schedule), takes approximately 5 weeks from throwing on the wheel to it coming out of the final firing. These are a few pieces that have come out of the process more recently.

#1 -- Matt Black/Korean Blue Genie Bottle

#2 -- Matt Black/Rutile Pink Genie Bottle

#3 -- Pete's Celadon with Turquoise Ink in Crackle Genie Bottle

#4 -- Pete's Celadon Pitcher

#5 -- Matt Black/Turquoise Vase

#6 -- Kei Ito Red/ Blue Gloss Lidded Jar

Mask Workshop with Marlborough Theatre Class

As a result of my last mask class posting, I was asked by a friend who has a daughter in the Marlborough school theatre production to come in and assist the students in making the masks needed in two scenes in their upcoming production of "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings."

It was great fun and the students needed very little guidance and their masks are all unique and spectacular. Check out the pictures below.

To see more photos from the session, go to: My Photo Album.

Unmasked Workshop

Each participant in the workshop at Heart & Soul was given the same kit - the paper was different in several kits. It was interesting to see how the jewels, feathers and ribbons were used in different ways. Each is truly an inspired piece of artwork.

1. Michelle
2. Vicki
3. Laurel
4. Elsie
5. Heather