Swirls and Eddies

When you're "going with the flow", have you considered what you leave in your wake?  I'd like to think that we leave behind more than just a few ripples......

This small ceramic raku mask measures 3" high by 2 1/4" wide.

Drifting Off....

There are times when I feel that my head will surely explode with all the information and ideas held within. And then, there are gentler times when (like a slow leak) all that good stuff drifts and flows to surround....

The size of this small raku mask is 3 1/2" high by 1 5/8".

Hold Onto Your Hat

Life can be a wild ride and I find it a good idea to hold on to those small, but important, details. This little mask is doing just that....

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

Swiss Cheese Memory

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I have a giant head full of memories that elude me. Oh yes, they're all still there somewhere - but retrieving them is another matter all together.....

The size of this small raku mask is 3 1/2" high by 1 5//8" wide

Cupid's Evil Twin

Hey, what is this little guy up to - and do we really want to know? When I think of all the failed relationships in the world, I imagine that the evil twin has been busy indeed...

The size of this small raku mask is 2 1/2" high by 1 5/8" wide.

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.

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.

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....

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)

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.....

Animal Instincts

I'm baaaack! It's been a busy two weeks with the ACC San Francisco show and some delightful after show visitors. I'm just now catching my breath and ready to get back to more regular posting! Today's mask is based on a piece that I made a few years ago. This version is smaller than the original....and that is a trend in my studio right now. I've been making some smaller (more affordable) works in the hope that they might be a bit easier on the pocketbook. I'm still making the larger masks, but I find myself spending more and more time on each piece. I was able to finish a few for this last show and I'll be revealing them soon.

This little mask (7" high x 3 1/2" wide) is yet another tribute to the animal kingdom of which I consider myself a part.......

A Change of Heart

I was going to post another altered photo today but I had a "change of heart" and decided to let this mask out for an airing. I created this piece a couple years ago - and I still have it. For some reason, the times I've shown the mask, it has gotten very little attention (even with the moving, changeable doors which everyone usually loves). Perhaps the message is just too obvious! Anyway, until she connects with the right home, I get to enjoy her in mine.....

Glaze test Friday - 3

And so, it's Friday again and I thought I'd post a couple of tests from this week. Tests are about all I've been doing lately, but next week I must get serious about starting some full size pieces.

Glaze test Friday - 2

Here are two more recent glaze tests. In a way, they cancel each other out, but I can't ever seem to show (or make) a devilish piece without some sort of balance. The sweeter mask is named "A Watchful Eye" and its task is to keep an eye on "In Sheep's Clothing"......

I find myself somewhere in between the two!