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Okay, I finally did it…went to an actual painting class with Majid Kahhak…the exercise was all about color and creating a quick abstract, loose painting…I did pretty well until I tried to give it more structure at the end of class and ended up with too much paint in a small space…the next day in my own studio I painted it out completely with black and then went over it again, trying to stay with the feel of the whole process and PAY ATTENTION to what was happening in front of me..so it turned into a totally different painting..still abstract but aspen trees also appeared..very interesting process. I have so much to learn. See what you think about the before and after…I like the brightness of the original painting but it just got too messy…Comments welcome!!

My first (short-lived) abstract painting 12"x16"

Evolution of a painting

Summer 2010 – I am learning to paint with acrylics and making some terra cotta pieces…still exploring diverse surfaces..painting in 2-D is a new way to slide back and forth between clay and paint.  I am adding a page here of PAINTINGS! I would love some feedback!

The garden is loving the recent rains and I am grateful to be so far along in my recovery from breast cancer treatment and back to work..albeit a slow return to my studio.

Spring is finally here! Life is good. I am getting back into my studio a little bit which feels great. Sent some work off for NCECA shows:  A place setting for La Mesa show, always a great show at NCECA.  I also sent a small, covered, terra cotta jar pictured below in my February post, for the Strictly Functional 25 year Invitational Exhibit. I was honored to be invited because the invite only went to those who had won multiple awards in previous years in the Strictly Functional Annual . Here’s one of my favorite “prize-winning”  pieces from that era!

Early Wood Fire Porcelain Jar

Magpie Wall Tile

To see more 3-D,  “pillowy” wall tiles click here : Wall Tiles!

Face Pot

Better Watch What You Eat!

Today is February 15th and I am still alive and therefore happy! I am slowly organizing, cleaning and re-claiming my studio after 10 months of not working there. I am finding peace when I am in that beautiful space and I feel ready to explore next steps.  Having a houseful of local potters/ceramic artists here last Saturday night for a potluck got my inspirational juices flowing!  Conversations were both soulful and fun, and the  food was great, too!  If any potters/sculptors “out there” want to live & work in this amazing Carbondale/Aspen/Glenwood Springs area and share/rent part of my studio, please contact me. My current focus in clay is  terra cotta, so my wood & soda kilns  are under-used! My studio could use more activity! The local clay community is awesome because of the Carbondale Clay Center, Anderson Ranch, S.A.W. studios, the home of the ArtStream, Harvey/Meadows Gallery and our local arts Council.

This promises to be a year of unknowns for me. A year of healing and exploring new ways of working in my studio…I can’t wait.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all!

Thanksgiving Hike up the ridge

I know it is not entirely professional to use this site for health reports and talk of chemotherapy but these are the life gifts I am dealing with this entire year pretty much…so studio work is on hold, but will flow again like a river at spring runoff! At least this is how I am visualizing future studio days. In the meantime, life is sweeter and a little harder daily as chemo effects accumulate. Only two more treatments to go followed by 6 weeks of daily radiation in Edwards, CO.  Some distance from here.

Hints of fall becoming less subtle…a stillness in the air, leaves hanging dusty and heavy, atmosphere seems to be in a bit of a desultory mood as summer ebbs.  Today, Saturday, we harvested about 100 lbs of potatoes shared between our household and Dana & Breccia Wilsons’ -the geniuses behind it all. Daughter Laura helped with the harvest and entertainment, and took home some mighty potatoes. I lent moral support. Corny as it sounds it is quite amazing to dig for food in your own front yard. Nostalgic full days.

Friends and family have been sending me such good energy and kind notes and thoughts infusing me with hope and healing. Thanks to all. Believe it or not, I am working on a few ideas for studio work when I am able to get my hands in clay again!

Art happening in  journaling only.  John and I and daughters, Anne &  Laura participated in  the Aspen Komen Race for the Cure yesterday. John and I walked the one-mile, Paws for the Cure walk with Archie, our dog!