Oh my how things can change is such a short time. I feel that I've been through a real huge process of exploration as an artist. I kept calling it a mid-life-crisis thing and criticizing but now I realize that this process is really necessary to being a complete artist - one that grows and doesn't just please the regular customers or satisfy what is expected of them but those that are fresh. Now I do worry that I seem unfocused but what's interesting is that these wonderful ladies, deep in thought perched upon rocks I found in a local mountain river have come out of it all. I strayed from the figurative salt and peppers that I'd been known for for years to sculptural mugs to simple message mugs (from a commission piece at the holidays) to come full circle back to my signature figurative work. I'm finally leaving the functionality behind in these pieces - something my customers and fans have begged me for for years - and created a simple sculpture that brings pleasure by sitting upon a shelf . . . I'm proud of myself for leaving my comfort zone and love that I seem to have come back to my original style of work. I plan to create masses of work of simply what moves me with no intent upon "what will sell" and create w/ integrity that is true to my existence. I plan to give these women a voice and an identity so that the viewer/ buyer is really inviting a person of sorts into their home. 

Thanks for following me on my artist journey. 

I always strive to be real - creating intuitively so that some fundamental energy that is within me into a tangible form. I think that we all have a common thread running through us and that this is one of the purest ways of tapping into that force. 

until next time,

j

what do I want to be when I grow up?

So my newest work really resembles that of a production potter - which I've vowed for 20+ years that I am not and will never be!!! Those of you that know me know that where I gain my most enriching act with clay is when I'm altering after the work on the wheel. This past year has brought more and more work that is less altered and more "pottery" in the traditional sense. Don't get me wrong - it's been fun to explore making consistent forms on the wheel  . . .. nice exercise - but doesn't suit my style and really who I am - I'm not regular, decisive, consistent, careful, and all the rest that goes w/ production potter's mentality - I know - i've been both. Long ago, I made pottery and it choked me out and made me take a break - I can't measure and use calipers. .. . when I started the sculpture that began on the wheel I felt free and able to do as I please.
So here it is: I'm growing into the woman and artist that I am. I'm diverse and complicated and I think I'll keep it that way. So who knows what you'll see from me next - I've been making really tall cake plates for my step-father (really only father I know) 80th birthday celebration so maybe you'll see more of those or more of my figurative work or lots more simple chalk board mugs - who knows!!!

So You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks!!

So as you see in the photos, I've been working in more of a production potter style than I'm used to - been busting pots out by the dozen trying to achieve uniformity . . . Of course mine will be so heavily altered in the end that perfect is not necessary but it's been fun trying. But I did start to have terrible back pain and couldn't figure out what was causing it so on a whim I decided to raise my wheel up and throw standing up. I thought it would be hard to adjust to but it really hasn't been. I'm loving it!!! I feel so productive right now that it's just flowing out of me!
Standing to throw combined with my new glazing method, I'm really starting to bust my work out. I hope to hit etsy hard and become more aggressive on there and have real results - we'll see if all goes as planned. I'm giving it my all from now through the holidays and just seeing what I can accomplish. Keep your fingers crossed as I spread my wings : )
More to come later!

Breaking Rules is Fun

So those of you that know me know that I've always been a rule follower and a pleaser . . . but it's strange how art or creative outlets have always been an area where I stray from what I'm "supposed" to do and do whatever I want.
Clay people would die if they knew how I worked. I don't do many of the things that are typical good practice and it seems to be working out just fine doing it how I am. Of course I learned the proper ways but one thing I've always loved about clay (vs sewing for instance where you seem to have to follow a pattern, iron, pin . . . not my strong points - very sloppy worker - and fast too) is that it's so forgiving.
I work right out of the bag without weighing or wedging. I tack things on way after I should. I use old clay scraps right off the wheel . . . Sure, there's occasional cracking or even explosions but the style in which I work suits me and it's worth it to sacrifice a few for the greater good.
I have been so ultra productive now that the kids are back in school - it's like I've been chomping at the bit to get my hands dirty again and now that I can, I'm on fire!
The new work coming out of my studio is some of the best I've ever made if you ask me.
After a disappointing teaching interview falling through for this year, I've decided to make more than a teacher's salary this calendar year and I really believe that I can between etsy, woolworth and shows.
Going to think positively and see what happens. Hold on tight because here I go!!!

What People Want

I've been enrolled in a mug and bowl class at ABtech to get continuing ed classes to keep my citification up. I love this teacher Becca Floyd. She's funny and flexible and strict at the same time . . . anyway, so I've been making a bunch of mugs. I brought some home to complete the handles because I was too hungry to stay and do them in class. When I uncovered them to let them dry, my kids were like, "Mom, did you make these? They are great!" (I tried to include a photo of all of the mugs together but couldn't figure out how to get the photo from my phone to this new computer to this blog) They sounded like they were shock. As though after almost 25 years of working at the wheel I couldn't make a mug. It was a sweet compliment but it was very telling to me how the world thinks. I'm sure I could bust out tons of mugs (this dozen I'm referring to took no time one morning in class) and actually sell more and even make more money than Kung Fu Clay does right now. I'm simply not called to do them. I'm here for something else and I can't resist it even when I try. It's a hard place to be. So, do I want to appeal to the masses or make what I'm passionate about. For now, at the advice of the wonderful Becca Floyd, I will explore face mugs to bring something different to the table. Hopefully I will figure this phone/photo thing out so I can give updates of all the work in progress.

What a wonderful day! Honestly, I needed wonderful day and I got one. I didn't get a ton done in my studio - probably let my mugs get too dry for handles but started off on a field trip with Jake's class and then did a little dress shopping (yes, you heard me right - dresses) for myself at the Dillards out at the Biltmore Sq Mall (my mom has been telling me to hit this place for years and I kept not getting there but the field trip was right next door at the health adventure so I decided to take a few moments for myself. I never do things like this and I totally scored on several super cute and super cheap dresses. I then met mom for a quick lunch and then mailed my first package to the UK. We'll see if it arrives safely and how long it takes. Very exciting. I then took the kids to Hot Springs to soak in a tub (Wednesdays locals get $10 off!!!!) It was simply gorgeous weather and we laughed and had so much fun - really felt like we were bonding. There as been so much negative energy in this house that getting out and being silly is just what the doctor ordered!! So it's late but I think I'm going to peel myself off this computer and make a few guys before bed to make up for my lost time and then off to sleep.

Well, I've been in quite a slump lately! I've been mixing up my diet to eat more primal with less grains and yet still feed my family things they will eat so I'm totally lost in the grocery store. I've moved into a new, larger wall at http://www.woolworthwalk.com/ so I'm designing the wall, shelves, jewelry . . . The last time I was there, I had the kids with me and got them a hot coca and tried to set to work but wound up dropping something that broke all over the floor while people were eating and found out I have to re-configure my lighting which is basically saying I have to start over : ( And, I'm trying to get back on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/kungfuclay?ref=si_shop and have a real presence there and increase my sales . . . Not to mention teaching art again at FBRAhttp://www.fbriveracademy.org/connect-with-fbra/ and being a good mamma . . . Everything together seems to left me quite paralyzed which what to do next and even where to put my work or even how to get my hands dirty in the studio again. Last night Riley began throwing up at my bedside around 1:00AM and proceeded to continue to have a violent retching sessions all night long. I started throwing up this morning. I think it's fast and furious and we're coming out of it but it is simply the last thing that I need when I'm already running in so many directions. I hope to feel better and go to my class at ABtech tomorrow morning and teach Friday and start next week fresh and ready to take on the world. I need focus, focus, focus. Any advice on how to find it?