BLOGGING AGAIN - July 2023

Life changes, and blogging was not a priority for quite some time.  Life has a way of throwing you unexpected roads, choices have to be made, and we age.  Perhaps, we've learned along the way, and change our goals.  I know I have.  .  

This "Love Endures Forever" painting is a recent mixed media piece.  I'll do what I can for as long as I can, with no desire to add stress to my life.  

I'll be posting on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/paulette.art .  This blog will be a place for me to explain processes, and give insight as to "what were you thinking!?!?",

If no one reads or follows it, I'll stop wasting my time(:  

 

Blessed and Changed

I feel so deeply blessed because of all the connections my art life has brought.  As I create pieces, God draws me into a sacred appreciation for Him, for His creation.  I become more aware of a life beyond self, seeing how one slight movement of clay can change the whole.  Hard clay is difficult to work, just as a hard heart is.  I see God’s hands shaping and forming me, knocking me down to make me more pliable, drawing me up to reshape me.  Every step in pottery (or a painting) matters.  Ultimately, we are refined by fire, like pottery is.  Some pieces have flaws that become an essential element to the unique beauty of a piece, just as individuals are beautifully unique.  “Wabi-sabi” is associated with a religion I do not claim, but there is truth to embracing imperfection in art.

‘‘Tis the Season”

We wait all year for a Christmas, Thanksgiving arrives and passes, and in a huge rush, Christmas is at our doorstep.  It shouldn’t be a stressful time, but it is for so many people.  It’s a spiritual mind game...let’s remember the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ.  Our expressions of love should outweigh the stress.  I’ve shared this painting on Facebook, enhanced with a reminder.  I hope you are enjoying the holidays🎄❤️🎄

Christmas Ornaments

After a successful Hobson Craft Fair Sale, there are plenty of Christmas Ornaments available!  I won’t have time to personalize more now, but made many of them with a chalkboard type back that can be written on with markers, pencils or ink.  Here’s a sample:

  

Pitcher and Cups

The pitcher and set of cups turned out beautifully, don’t you think?  The combination of glazes worked:  Amaco Snow on the inside and upper outside, blue oxide, clear celedon over Alberta slip, green slip, and Blue Rutile over Alberta slip on the bottom.  Made with ❤️.  And most importantly, Dianne Scotten loved it!  She asked, “How did you know those are my colors?”  I didn’t; God did.  Mission accomplished, praise God❤️

Pottery Inspiration: Brewery Flats

I’ve made a pitcher, inspired by a walk at Brewery Flats in Lewistown, Montana.  It’s a beautiful spot next to Big Spring Creek with secluded trails and lots of trees.  I made a pitcher because of the water pouring through that stream.  I also was thinking of a friend who confidently asked me a long time ago to make her a pitcher and I said “yes” long before my skill level was adequate.  I appreciated that she had that kind of confidence in me....something I was personally working on.
The carving, demonstrated below, represents not only the trees and paths, but the peaceful yet mysterious sensation of walking through those spaces.  Inspiration comes from experiences, probably more than locations.  (I’ll share more later on glazing, Lord willing, after the first bisque firing.)

Pouring, Painting! Pottery

When acrylic pouring mediums became popular, creativity by chance (??) became quite popular.  I enjoy the process and the unexpected results -serendipity!  I love using the technique as one more way to add interest and depth to painting.  Glazing pottery can be similar, only more complicated.  It all works together in my mind, one idea spilling over to the other, from painting to pottery, and pottery to painting.