Misbehaving

This is for all of you who might, like me, possess an inner imp. You know the one: it's a whisper in the ear to just "go for it".....

The size of this small raku mask is 3 3/8" high by 1 1/2" wide.

Rose Colored Glasses

Oh, to see the world this way! I long to be able to do it, but so many impish little dark things keep clouding the vision. Guess I'll just have to settle for the mask seeing a perfect world....

The size of this small raku piece is 2 1/2" high by 1 3/4" wide.

Into the Mystic

I like the idea of sailing off into the Mystic - with dreams swirling about and endless possibilities. Sometimes, it seems as if so much is hidden from us and yet, many times, a closer look can reveal what we never knew existed....

The size of my little "explorer" is 2 1/2" high by 2 1/8" wide and there is a tube affixed to the back for hanging as a pendant or on the wall.

Curtain Call

Sometimes it seems as if all of life is a curtain call - and, just like this little mask, we may be called upon to appear in yet another drama. If so, we must be ever ready to participate....

This is an older glaze test that I recently finished (#5!). Its size is 2 1/2" high by 1 7/8" wide.

Identity Crisis

These little peas resent the assumption that they're alike! After all, who would like being told that they are not unique? I believe we all have the capacity to defy comparison.....

The size of the pod is 3" high by 3/4" wide and has been multi fired with a final raku glaze firing.

The Hybrid

Do you ever feel "different"? I often do and, when I do, it's usually accompanied by a need to fit in somewhere. Here is a wistful solution: hybridize! Sometimes it only requires a slight mental adjustment to blend right in - at least for a little while.....

The "Hybrid" is multi fired, 2 3/4" high x 2 1/4" wide.

A Little Night Owl

The little owl works through the night - just like so many artists we know! It's a good time to get things done, whether it be capturing those pesky mice or creating a work of art. The only interruptions are the voices calling quietly in the night....

This is a multi fired raku piece and the size is 2 3/4" high by 2 3/8" wide.

Birdbrain

It is known that birds have tiny little brains - but isn't that because they have tiny little heads? I'll wager that they are no dumber or smarter than any other critter. I'll go even further to suggest that they are pretty smart to keep their distance from most humans.....

In keeping with her name, Birdbrain is very small: 2 1/2" high x 1 3/4" wide. There is a tube affixed to the back for hanging as a pendant or anywhere else. FYI, this piece is #444 in my glaze tests - I seem to be making myself crazy with these little guys! Of course, this number is on the back of the mask, along with my signature.

Traveling Companions

It's always nice to have a friend to travel with - even on a short journey. These two will always be together no matter where they touch down....

The size of this small mask is 3 1/4" high x 2 1/2" wide and there are tubes affixed to the backs of each leaf to facilitate hanging. This piece is a bit unusual since it's a bit deeper than most of my glaze tests. The sides of each face "butterfly" upwards.

See No Evil

Don't you wish it was so easy not to see some things? I made this small mask with the idea in mind of a sort of mental blindfold: one that would screen out the unpleasantries. I've got mine near at hand just in case....

Karma

Whether you choose to believe in a force such as Karma or not, doing good turns and being a good person is its own reward. I like the idea of Karma being circular and part of a continuing story that we all have roles in. Some say that what goes around comes around and I believe it.....

Soul Searching....

I've done a lot of this lately (soul searching, that is) and it seems that no matter how hard I search, it's hard to find! I feel as if I've just been flinging my arms about - doing a little of this and a little of that and (to my mind) a whole lot of nothing. Perhaps I'm stuck, perhaps I'm coming unglued, but I'll keep on searching that soul till something makes sense.....

You Can't Judge a Book....

There are so many clever covers, but it's what's inside that counts - or so the sage voices say! This little mask isn't fooling anyone with its angelic exterior, for it's easy to see what is underneath. Would that all disguises were so easy to detect....

This pendant is a reminder that things aren't always what they seem! The size is 2 3/4" high by 2 1/4" wide and there is a tube affixed to the back for hanging.

Free Falling - a visual journey....

I've got Autumnal changes on my mind! Thought I'd share the transformational journey of just one leaf.....

Hiding Among the Fallen

I'm not exactly sure what I mean with this recently finished mask: chalk it up to my own frailties and insecurities. Hiding seems to be the central theme behind my work (at least as I see it) and I've spent a lot of time interpreting this theme in as many ways as possible. And, I'm not finished yet...

Currently, I feel as if I'm on auto pilot - plugging away in the studio and "Birdgirl" is emerging wishing for an out. I definitely have "got the urge for going" and I'll have to let it go...... (for now)

The Offering - revisited

I just sent this piece (Offering) out, so as usual, I worked on a photo print to send along. This isn't the print I ended up sending....but it was the one I liked the best. For some reason, it seemed a little too "dark" to include with the actual piece (which is a more hopeful and lighthearted mask). I posted the original mask two entries ago so you can see what I'm talking about.
Often times, I feel I must tone down my dark side so as not to scare everyone away. But I admit to appreciating both sides of the coin.......

Outside the Box

Thinking outside the box can lead to many things! I believe that most creative sorts use this kind of thinking to great benefit, but there can be dangers - as evidenced by this little piece. Is there such a thing as TOO creative???

Yet another glaze test from my Etsy shop: I've been a bit lazy with posting some of the bigger masks, but I promise that there will be more to come (and soon). The size of this raku mask is 2 3/4" high x 2" wide and there is a tube affixed to the back for hanging as a pendant or anywhere a creative reminder is needed.....

Offering

My little Birdgirl would like to offer a twig for your nest. We all need building material and whether it's for a nest or something more substantial, it's the thought that counts (or so she tells me anyway)! This is another recent addition to my Etsy shop and for lack of another bigger piece to show, I've decided to share some of my glaze tests with you.

The size of the mask is 2 3/4" high by 2 3/8" wide and there is a tube affixed to the back for hanging as a pendant.

Flights of Fancy

Often I feel that there is not enough whimsy in my life. It is then that I create a piece such as this: pure fantasy - or fancy and for a moment, I can rise above some of the mundane. I consider myself lucky to have this ability and it pleases me to share it......

The size of this small mask is 2 5/8" high by 1 7/8" wide and there is a tube affixed to the back for hanging. I just finished the piece this week and it was added to my etsy shop.
http://unmasked.etsy.com

Surfacing

This mask was finished just in time for the last show and it's a fairly accurate representation of my state of mind for the past month or two. The Winter and Spring (as some of you may have guessed) were a difficult period for me, but Summer brought a new and improved outlook. And so, "Surfacing" was born. I have imagined myself emerging from the deep - fully clothed and swimming cap intact - hopeful and yet pensive and wondering: What next?.......

The size of the mask is approximately 14" high x 6 1/2" wide and is sculpted from stoneware. I had originally planned a raku finish, but the piece dictated otherwise!