Fallen Angel

I've made three different pieces using the idea of "fallen angels" - however, I'm using the idea as a metaphor rather than as a religiously based concept.  My version of a fallen angel is something that is slightly tarnished and a little broken but, in spite of that, persists.....

And here is a quote by Jean Cocteau:
I feel that there is an angel inside me whom I am constantly shocking.

This raku sculpture was made in three parts: Head, Wings and Body and assembled post firing.  It now resides in Hungary.

Daydream in the Treehouse

Here, I've combined two of my favorite themes: dreams and houses. It seems that my themes are evolving - so much so that I wonder about the beginnings of an idea and why it must be forever changing! Perhaps, like a dream, there is no telling which way it will go. There is no such thing as control.

The occupants of my treehouse are not that different from each other and yet each is an individual with a task to perform. I enjoy giving my dream subjects some responsibilities when I'm awake so that I can lie back and enjoy the view......

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.......

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!

Glaze test Friday

I thought I'd show some of my glaze tests today. I use these to test my engobes and glazes and to try out different ideas. I don't always make bigger pieces based on these, but often I get new directions from the results. These little guys are some of the latest out of the studio and I'm thinking of making this a regular Friday feature. Yes, I've got a lot in the works!

They do have names also:

top - A Rosy Outlook

middle - Bewitched and Bewildered

bottom - Simon Says...

Till Monday, adieu....

Just a Drop in the Bucket

Sometimes I feel so small. When I consider how big the world is, how many people there are and how much wonderful art has been created (among other things), my own insignificance whacks me upside the head. We're all just small drops in a very large bucket. When the bucket becomes full, the hand of fate tips it to allow so many more drops.

So many tests in the works this week. I may show some here soon - if all goes well!

What Goes Around.....

...comes around. This is a concept that usually puts me a bit on edge. I mean, really - haven't most of us done things we're not proud of? It is those "things" that inspired this mask. I spend a lot of time thinking about the best way to get an idea across using the face as a medium. Of course, some of these portrayals are more successful than others and this mask is, perhaps, a little on the obscure side. Without the title, the viewer might just be clueless!



I like the idea of a wind driven existence, but must keep in mind that the wind could change direction at any moment.

On Top of the World

This is a mask that was inspired by a young woman I was working across the table from at a ceramics workshop in South Korea. I was captivated by her face - especially her cheeks and eyes and though I don't normally do this (sculpt from a live model), decided I had to capture her image. She also influenced the finishing and title of the piece since her name is Go Sun Re. The idea of sun rays suggested the sky/growth theme and the woman's sparkling personality, the top of the world!

In Sheep's Clothing

In a way, all of my masks are about disguises and subterfuge: this one in particular. I was thinking about appearances and how deceptive they can be. It seems one must be ever vigilant to find what is beneath the facade. And yes, I think we all have them (facades, that is).

This is another just finished piece - the newest addition to the Devil's family tree. Now I'll need to make another Angel themed mask for balance and harmony in the studio!

Going to Sit in the Corner...

Here's a piece I really relate to. Of course, it's about punishment: the corner can be anywhere, including the mind and the hat is a symbol of the Dunce. After being out in the public last week, and making all kinds of verbal faux pas, here I am in a corner of my studio with the dunce cap firmly in place. I'm just about ready to forgive myself and get on with talking to me, myself and I. At least I won't offend any of them!

Between Comedy and Tragedy

Isn't that where most of life happens? Here again, I'm confounded by the space between opposites. Sometimes, I think about how much easier life would be if I knew which side of the fence I was on at any one moment. I guess that is the nature of opposites and, at times, the difference is a fine line!

I've been making a number of smaller pieces lately and this is one of them (6 1/2" x 4"). The economy being what it is has pushed me into doing some more "affordable" work. I'm sure hoping that things improve soon so that I can work on some more complex masks....not that I've stopped - it's just that they're not the main focus right now.

With Open Arms

This mask is almost fresh from the fire - it had its public debut at the showing last weekend. I had been wanting to make some "hopeful" pieces to express some of the high hopes that are gradually spreading throughout the land. It seems like a good idea to focus on the posititive and to welcome change with open arms!

Of course, the next step for me is to explore the idea a bit further - perhaps adding a touch of irony .... I'm already planning a similar piece with arms hinged at the elbows.

Camouflage

This mask is about blending in...it's something I've never been very good at! In social situations, I usually think how nice it would be to have some sort of camouflage suit. Since that's unlikely, I'm becoming a little better at disguising my words and thoughts so as to appear normal. Working alone in the studio for 30 years has definitely taken its toll on me.

Today, I'm packing up for the show this weekend and at the same time, I'll be working on my mental camouflage.......

Triptych

Before I started my "leaf as metaphor" series, I did an extensive amount of testing and experimentation with glazes, colors and techniques. Shown here are three of these glaze tests. If you've visited my blog before, you may have noticed the "glaze test" slide show at the right. I'm mentioning it now as a shameless promotion of my Etsy site: http://unmasked.etsy.com . Ya know, in between shows, I still need to eat and pay my bills!

Speaking of shows, I'll be at Fort Mason in San Francisco this weekend for the Contemporary Crafts show. So, if you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and see my work up close and personal!

If You Can't Say Something Nice....

This is a phrase I used to hear often as a child ... guess I was a mean little girl! My mother was full of these sayings, totting them out as appropriate, and they have invaded my conscience. It is quite interesting to me that I can forget where I left my keys a moment ago, but can remember so many things from childhood. The imprint from early words have left their mark and, for the most part, it's a good thing.



This mask found a new home a few years ago and all that remains is a photographic record. I'm reminded that I haven't kept track of where my works have gone and wonder now if I should - Oh, well...it may be a bit late!

Animal Tendencies

Being an animal lover has led me to contemplate my own animal instincts. I know they exist, but I can't always put my finger on them. Since I believe that we have evolved from the animal kingdom, I think that we must have inherited quite a lot of genetic material from them. And then, when I look at groups of people interacting - I can't help but notice the herding instincts, the dominant male/female, the mating displays and so many more behaviors that we have in common.

Hey, let's all gather round the watering hole!

Well, I have been a bit remiss with the blog this past week. It was difficult to find the time while I was on the road, but I'm baaaack!

Smoke Screen

When I made this piece, I was thinking about the Redwood Highway in Northern California. It's a beautiful drive with trees all along the road...but behind this thin wall of trees, much of the area has been clear cut by logging companies. Our senses are fooled by the facade and I wanted this mask to be an allegory to remind myself that all is not what it seems.

I sold this mask 2 years ago and for some reason, it came to mind. I'm considering revisiting this idea very soon....

Raku today (i.e. playing with fire) and leaving for Oregon tomorrow!