The Beginning of Something New

2013 is here and I thought I'd try a new weekly blog to capture what transpires in my studio, especially for the MFA work.  So here goes....

Winter brings a warm blanket of introversion as these dark and cloudy days arrive making the incandescent lights in the studio lure me in.  I so wish I had a door on the studio so I could close out all the other responsibilities.  I absolutely love the space, it's bright, open, full of windows that overlook the Cousin's River and it has everything I need.

Cousin's River

Glass Frit

I tried reorganizing things so my workflow would be better but I soon realized that it was going to take a major overhaul of 'stuff' to do that.  I have too many mediums going on in my head to dispose of any of them.  A major overhaul is just not in me so plan B will fall into action.  Plan B is to just do a little reorganizing and accept that will suffice for now.

One thing I did do was to make a large, 6x6' work surface so that I could have a more comfortable area for bookmaking. Those large sheets of paper that need cutting were impossible to cut neatly otherwise.

My studio goal for 2013 is to spend more time in it!  Productive time or not, just spending time in it keeps me in a creative thought process and that is good.

Below are the glass mandala centers that I did last semester for my Master's work at Heartwood College of Art in Kennebunkport, Maine.

These mandala 'centers' will be altered and re-fired several times to become complete and separate mandalas.  The basis for these designs are from my work with The Heroine's Journey, or my life's journey.  The images are from dreams, realizations and work with the Journey.  The mandalas will expand in their depth and design during the next semester's work.  Making and carving clay molds is next.  I'll be using a low-fire white clay to make the molds.

I'm making my semester journal at the moment.  It will have some new book features that the previous journals could have used. 

So here's to a new beginning and a commitment to keeping it going!

Snow on the Cousins

The moon was gorgeous last night. Full and juicy. It quickly was swallowed up by snow-filled clouds.

It's another snowy day here on the coast of Maine! It's one of those 'introverted' days where it feels good to be in the studio amongst the glow of the lights.

The river is moving great speed as the icebergs race each other on the incoming tide. Step outside and the sound is amazing. Soft, sliding crunching.

It's also a perfect day to think about dragonflies! Now I'm wondering where they go in the winter. I found out dragonflies live from 2-6 years and that they have 30,000 lenses in their eyes yet they don't see close up very well.

Outgoing Tide

Again the tide is leaving the river. This morning we wake to find it covered in patches of snowy icebergs. It's mezmerizing to watch the pieces float quietly down river. Last night the Canada Geese were anchored right near the flagpole. Always a good sign to have those kids back in town! Hearing them without seeing them is one of the nicest treats of the day.

It's a good day to be in the studio. Snow falling, birds squawking at the feeder and a room full of colors are waiting for me!