A New Room in the Dreamhouse

I often dream of houses - many of which I visit over and over again. Every now and then I find a room that I didn't know was there and it's usually a wonderful discovery. I spend a lot of time in these new dream rooms exploring every detail and congratulating myself on my good luck. When I awake, there is the feeling that I've truly gained something. Since I'm not schooled in the interpretation of dreams, I can only guess at the meaning. It feels as if new areas of the subconscious are becoming available to me, and I await their manifestations in my work!

Down to Earth

She's on her way to being "grounded"... something I aspire to. Perhaps the wings will cushion the landing - or maybe she'll change her mind and head back to the stratosphere. Part of what I was thinking when I made this piece is about never being satisfied with where I am at the moment. There is always some place or some state of mind that is better. This way of thinking could be my fatal flaw....

I didn't get enough done this weekend and now I'm feeling some pressure. I'm heading up to Oregon mid week for a small winery show put on by my friend Nancy Adams. Whew, looking forward to the short getaway!

The Merry Prankster

Here again, my coming of age in the 60's is showing. I never was quite that "merry" but many of the concepts intrigued me and have stayed with me over the years. I like to think of the prankster as something that sneeks up from behind the persona and delivers a much needed dose of surprise and wonder. It is not so easy to dismiss the prankster because you never know when he/she will appear. The message is: it's important to keep an open mind.

Between Heaven and Hell

I think that this is one of my most dramatic pieces. I've done a couple different versions of this idea - but this is, by far, my favorite. I keep coming back to "choices", although I feel that this mask is more about acceptance! Most of the time we dwell in the middle ground until something happens to push us one way or the other. Anyway, that's my short and sweet interpretation of this mask. I usually hesitate to say too much about any of my works in the hope that there will be room for the viewers own interpretations.

The week is almost at an end and I wonder where the time went. Of course, I'm in full throttle right now with all the works in progress. Time really does fly when you're having fun!

Battle Weary

I sculpted this piece on my first stay at the ICS in Hungary (2006) and there it remains. While I was making it, there was a gathering of Hungarian ceramists working there to make sculptures relating to the October 1956 occupation by the Russians. Many of the artists had first hand experiences and the works created were full of emotional content. This prompted me to create something relating to my own struggles and emotions. At the time, I wasn't really sure where this piece came from. I'm even less sure now, but I do believe that it must have come from my heart! So many disappointments, so many chains - but hey, I'm a survivor and I have the scars to prove it!

It was a challenge to raku this work. The head, helmet and body were fired separately and assembled ater firing.

Power Play

Here is yet another mask that suggests struggle. Sometimes it feels like everything I do involves a choice....between right or wrong, good or bad, stubborness or complicity, etc., etc.. To my way of thinking, the devil/angel scenario says it all. Life is a constant battle between forces, but just imagine how dull it would be without the choices!

The mask is raku fired and finished with colored pencils and matte varnish.

I have a kiln going right now and am eagerly awaiting the results. I think most ceramists feel like it's Christmas morning when opening the kiln - I know I do!

Self Medicating

While in Hungary at the International Ceramic Studios, I made this mask. One Hungarian family has produced Unicum ( an herbal liqueur) for many years - even through the Russian occupation. Although, to protect the "secret" family recipe, it was changed slightly during the occupation so that the Russians would not be able to reproduce the original. When I heard about this, I just had to commemorate it. For such a long time the Hungarians have been downtrodden, but now they are free to self medicate with the original Unicum. I found this symbolic...with a dash of irony thrown in for good measure.

The mask was fired multiple times and cold finished. By the way, Unicum is an acquired taste!

Be Careful What You Wish For

Here's a mask fresh out of my studio! I've done a number of masks using charms, milagros and talismans. I'm ever hopeful that some of these will work their magic and yet, mindful that having a wish or a dream come true is not the be all - end all. Everything is connected and once the weels are set in motion, there's no going back. That said, I still have lots of wishes!

I had intended to raku this mask, but after all the time I spent drawing the milagros, I was afraid that the crackles would obscure all my hard work. So, in the end, I just put in the electric kiln...

Stick Figure

Ok, Ok, I know this isn't a mask....but I also make small sculptures. Originally, these were made to hang some of the smaller masks on. I still use them in that way, but I've begun to make them as stand alone pieces besides.

I'm working on another out in my backyard studio...probably the most outrageous one yet. But, you'll have to wait till next week for that!

I love to use found objects in my work. Besides being very "green", it's satisfying and challenging to incorporate different materials. In this piece, I've use driftwood gathered up in beautiful Humboldt county.

Red, White and...

I made this trio about a month before our presidential election. Although I felt hopeful about the election results, I also felt a bit of distrust with the process. For me, the blue mask represents the Florida debacle of 2000. Fortunately, my fears have been allayed and we can all move forward!

These small masks were press molded and altered, painted with engobe and glaze - and raku fired.

The Devil's Playground

For Groundhog day, I'm showing an older piece (2006). Even though I usually claim not to have favorites, this is one! I worked on the mask for a while - till the vision was complete and many of my demons showed their faces. You know what they say about an idle mind....not that I have one, but I'm aware of the possibility. Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, I try to keep busy.

I made the mask at the ICS in Hungary. It is raku and survived both the fire and the journey home!

detail -The Devil's Playground

Here's a close-up of the "playground": The bad little birdie, the idle mind demon, the not so saintly "father", the bad seed and the twisted nun....

Down the Rabbit Hole

I've always loved Alice and followed her journeys in Wonderland. Even though I'm past the "one pill makes you larger" phase, I'll continue on down the rabbit hole to the game. There are just too many delightful characters to ignore.

This is a small mask - 4 1/2" high x 3 1/2" wide (about the size of a rabbit hole?!). I felt that making it bigger wouldn't have made it better. Small prototypes don't always work as larger pieces and vice versa!

Just a Little Bit Longer...

Don't we all want to stick around just a little bit longer? The title is a reference to one of those old songs that I can't seem to get out of my head. It surfaces now and again with its simple lyrics and repetitive chorus. The message here is that it seems to be those catchy little moments that leave lasting impressions. If only we could choose which moments would affect us so!

This yet another mask from the "leaf" series. It was sculpted with raku clay and the glaze is a mix of raku clear and copper matte. I was pleased at how the combination became mottled.