Bit by bit

Sunday nite...and I've been putting in several hours a day this week on my dragonfly piece..   Bit by bit, I think I'm beginning to see the full picture.  And also, as the design unfolds, I find new ideas as to how I want to "dimensionalize" this work.  I have used the word "dimensionalize" for my work in bas relief for some time...not sure it's an official dictionary term, but surely works for my purpose.  I know I want to have the dragonfly wings lift off the backdrop in some say, and probably one half of wing differently than the other.  I am still looking for the right lacing patteren (i.e., rolling the clay with a piece of actual lace) as I move toward the final steps.

I have signed on for two shows in 2013 -- one at Art Works and one at Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center.  Interesting here that the location will determine the content.  Glen Allen, as a "family art center" does not allow nudes.  And my first plan was to have "Artist as Muse" be at both locations.  Now, however, I am aware that I will have to have a separate body of work for Glen Allen (..."finding a way in clay...) and "Artist as Muse" nudes for the show at Art Works.  Perhaps a good thing as I will be able to alternate my involvement, perhaps sparking my imagination in both areas. 

Grateful to have been given two new "tools" this week -- two very small screwdrivers ... tiny, tiny.   Finding the right tool for the specific task always the challenge.  And tools come from anywhere between the ceramic catalogues to a kitchen supply store.  And now, these two from a hardware store.  

As well, the "decorative elements  creating a work always open to susggestion.  For the last tree design which is now waiting bisque, I actually am wavering between using moss-like bits probably used on miniature train layouts ... and the tiny confetti that pops out of the small pop toys found in a party shop.   In the challenges, the choices, and the commitment come the excitement and the joy.

For me, everything comes from something...

After these many years of being in the world, I have come to believe that everything does seem to come from something -- be it language, story, surely the arts.  I have had the joy of coming to know Ken Elliot, an amazing (never the [right adjective...] incredibly gifted painter.  I have three prints of his work in my home...the one you see here titled "Grove and Garden" ... it sits above my bureau and I can walk into its elegance as I lie in my bed at night.  I urge you to viisit his website http://www.kenelliott.com/index.html .. as some would say, "run, don't walk, to see the wonders of this man's gifts.  

All of the prints Ii have are of his trees -- although  his images are diverse.  Just for me, the trees caught me by the heart.   I am most grateful to him for so much support in my own work, and his encouragement to step out into the electronic world to share my own work.

All of this to say that the last piece I finished was a skeleton of a tree (raised image of tree in clay).  I will  was out the background, then glaze the actual tree.  After which I will  use some medium  (as of now, undetermined) to create soft blossoms of color...probably connected in some way with the glaze.   I have another tree piece in mind, taken from a pattern I found in some linens catalogue years ago, of an Indonesian tree of life.  I may do this one in panels due to the size.

At the moment, I am still working on the piece with the dragonfly ... much more intricate and complex than I had imagined.  But there's the energy of discovering and learning and growing.   I am sure this current piece will be on my worktable for some weeks.  And then, the 'terror" of the kiln ...will it make it through the bisque?

On another note, but in this theme, I wanted to share an interesting moment this morning while in a meditation group which I attend on Sunday mornings -- in a beautiful park called Maymont.

A photograph I took some years ago...

After a delightful conversation with a young woman about sculpture, she asked if she could take a class with me.  And II had to say:  I come to clay from a love of the medium first, then from having some fine teachers in ceramics, and most of all -- simply reading, watching, asking questions, experimenting.  No MFA/BFA in my past (taught children's literature in higher ed).   I do believe in my work and can see the growth, as do others.  Yet, I can't bring myself to be a "teacher" here.  A concept on which I shall do some reflection. 

Now I just need to find ways for others to see this blog, and to interact with it.  So much to learn...but am glad I've started the process.

setting the stage...

Sometimes it seems all I've been doing of late is work on the website or the blog...  Yet I'm told daily how important this is as I try to "get the word out" that I'm here.  And interested in selling!  I've much to learn about this blog setup...thanks to those of you who have already commented...all critique is welcome.

Yesterday did manage to get some tiime in the studio to lay out and begin the markings for my dragonfly piece.  Again, a very tedious task but part of the process.  And it IS all about the process, no?

Still trying to learn the system

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

joys of June

The utilization off "social media" a new experience for me.  I vowed to write daily, yet here I am a month since my last post.  Oh, how the world of health, finances, relationships seem to block my way to the studio and my work as an artist.
After my last show "HANDS" I decided to take a break from a prescribed show requirement, and simply listen to some things in my inner heart. 
I have made several pieces since that time, including a bas relief form of a tree ... very hopeful it will lmake it through the bisque.  Plans to use specific glaze only on tree, with blackground waxed out to leave only the clay color.  After this, I will be adding some kind of medium to bring the tree into a blossoming stage.  I began yesterday to work on an intricate design which focuses on a dragonfly. Lots of symbolism for this elegant creature:  defeat of self-created illusions, foxus on being in the moment, opening one's eyes, maturitiy and depth of character.  All ofthese and more leading me to have a beautiful tattoo on my left forearm of a dragonfly.  I invite you to visit:  http://dragonflysymbolism.org/  for a peaceful moment.

As this piece develops, I will be uploading pictures of its progress. 

And then, my commitment to do a series of nudes in bas relief, based on photographs of me -- "ARTIST AS MUSE".   The show will provide a dual experience:  the clay creations on one side, and matching images of the pose in black/white photographs on the other.  A show which undoubtedly take me a year.

My website will be an ongoing process -- http://www.drgabb.com/
where I will be providing a range of information and photos sof my work.  But this blog taps into my world as an academic and lover of story.  I hope you will travel along with me.