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!

Birdgirl's Offering

As I've mentioned before, Birdgirl and her adventures are one of my ongoing themes. Although this mask is a few years old, I'm still drawn to the elegance of the image and the message it implies. I've been thinking of offerings lately...the thoughts and feelings that I share and my own limitations. I wish to be more like Birdgirl - soaring in the heights and descending to bestow small gifts.

I put a lot of my hopes dreams and fears into my work and, besides being therapeutic, the masks are my offerings.

Secret Garden

This is a piece that I made while in Japan at the Institute of Ceramic Studies in 2002. Before I went there I had only worked with earthenware clay and, to my surprise, it didn't exist in Japan (or at least in Shigaraki!). Thus began my transition into the new territory of stoneware and porcelain...and as a result, glaze making.

I consider this mask to be among the "ground breakers" of the secret garden that was revealed to me. Fortunately, those experiments have led to a garden that is continually blooming!

Sticks and Stones...

Here's another bit of wisdom from my mother - and boy, has it come in handy! Children can be cruel, but so can adults. If this adage is not coming from my lips, it's on my mind when I hear unkind words. I know I'm not perfect (and wouldn't want to be) so I can accept the slings and arrows that are hurled at me and, most of the time, they bounce right off! The cruelties that "stick" come from those we love.

While writing this, I thought of another mask to make: "A Grain of Salt". I'll add that to my list of things to do....

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!