Warm Remembrance

Yesterday's snow has given way to blue skies and freezing temperatures. Typically, the temperatures would be no problem for me on a 'snow day' tucked inside my studio room--but, the heat in the house is broken. We have been without heat for more than twenty-four hours. So, with my 'recess' hat, down vest, and several pairs of socks on I find myself painting. Painting poppies! The warm reds and oranges along with the act of painting serve as a beautiful distraction from the chilly air. As I was finishing up with my poppies I recalled that poppies sometimes signify 'remembrance'--and I found that today I wish to remember all those for whom a lack of heat is a daily reality. I am grateful for the reminder.

Knitting the Gray Away!

What better way to spend an icy rainy day than knitting a brightly colored scarf to combat the pervasive gray that is outside my window! It is fun to watch the colors blend and change. Getting anything else done is a bit challenging, however, as I keep thinking I'll put it away in one more section.

Rocks, rock!

The rocks pictured in the banner at the top of the blog and the etsy site are from the shores of Lake Superior where I have been fortunate to find myself for a week during each of the past many summers. One of my absolute favorite activities is to sit on the beach with a pitcher of water and immerse myself in the rocks. Sifting, dipping, turning them in my hands like so many jewels; they are like brightly colored snowflakes, no two exactly the same. Quite a few have been gathered to my space here in Baltimore, and they bring with them inspiration and a literal touchstone to a spot of beauty.

Brown Paper Packages

Now that the leaves have fallen, the bones of the trees are once more visible. And, suspended high above in one of the backyard trees, is a wasp nest. After the initial surprise, I was able to appreciate (from afar) the beauty of this creation. This nest is made from paper made by the wasps. The swirls and spirals a work of art. 

(s)now day!

For the first time in many years, we are having snow in December. One of the gifts of a snow day (besides the fact that I don't have to go to school) is that snow days seem to change time. Events are cancelled, errands put aside, and it is ever so much easier to tuck in and read a book or paint or dream. I am able to find the 'now' in a (s)now day which is especially important in this extra busy season.

To market, to market!

I love to create. Working with the creations to move them from my studio space into the wide world is not something I am as adept with. In less than two weeks, I will be doing a holiday art market in Highlandtown, Baltimore. Before that happens, all of the pieces that are going need to be photographed, priced, and packed up. Big work! Exciting work! I am hopeful that this will create for me a bit more shelf space for new creations. Stop by if you are in the area...12/7/13, 10am - 6pm at  3402 Gough Street, Baltimore, MD 21224!

The Loonacy of Pottery

Pottery is an art form with much potential and possibility for frustration. Things crack or get bumped; glazes are applied too thick or too thin. Another piece in the kiln blows up and the debris rains on your own--or vice versa. This week when I got to the studio, my loon plates were out of the glaze firing. With trepidation, I walked to the shelf and found that they were...just as I had hoped...(and pottery is all about hope!) The paint and glaze worked and nothing foreign was permanently baked in during the firing. And this is the loonacy of pottery. This is what keeps me in clay. For all the pieces that don't meet my inner expectation, there are those that do. And when they do (and even when they don't), I can't wait to create the next hope filled piece.