Even More Wall Signs

"Love" wall sign

I made a few more wall plaques today. Some of my leaf sprigs were ready for action, but the best flower one cracked. I think that the brown clay releases better when the sprigs are made out of bisque fired B-mix clay. It seems like the B-mix is more porous. Anyway, I still need to carve, and make more sprigs.

I'm excited to be glazing the sign for Gabe's pretend restaurant. I used some Aardvark paper clay, and it has a pretty smooth finish, and resists cracking. 

Percy is adjusting to having only one eye. Today, he just sat in the sun for a while. Also, not having to wear a cone anymore allowed him to relax and stretch out.

"Home Sweet Home" wall sign...

Carved shapes become sprigs...

This is an older wall sign...

Gabe's restaurant signage...

Percy in the doorway...

 

Wall Signs Redux

I've been creating wall wreaths and signs over the past few days... I'm trying to add new types of flowers to my work. Hopefully, some sprig molds that I carved with leaves and flowers will come out of the kiln on Saturday. 

This is a small wreath...

This piece didn't survive the kiln...

This piece cracked...

I remade these earlier signs...

Here is the "Blue Skies" sign...

Here is the "La Corona" sign...

 

Noodling Around

This is the time of year when I can play around with clay a bit. Normally, I'm making work for a show in January. But, it appears that the show isn't happening at the same time this year. So, there is a less frantic feeling in the clay shed. So far, I've made a new sign for my great nephew Gabe, and a giant sculptural pot. This pot will have an ornate floral topiary on top. 

Today, and yesterday, I spent some time making a tray/pedestal out of paper clay. There are cups or chunky carved bowls that will go on top.

In the days to come, I'm going to make some floral wreaths to go on my garage door, and maybe to hang on my back door. We'll see how they turn out. I need to fire some floral sprig molds that I made last week, as they will be needed to create the flowers and the leaves on the wreaths.

Gabe's play kitchen needs a sign...

This was built upside down...

More paper clay was added to the rim...

A floral topiary will sit on the urn...

These carved bowls have a tray...

The tray can also hold cups...

 

Resolutions

 

It's a good idea to set goals and to think about improvements. Here is the plan for this year, moving forward. There are possible big changes ahead...

1.     Always honor who I am, and try to be the best person that I can be.

2.     Use meditation and breathing to deal with situations where calm is required.

3.     Walk the doggies every weekday.

4.     Exercise, and pray each weekday morning.

5.     Make stuff that I like.

6.     Keep creativity fresh with explorations, and diversions (like violin lessons).

7.     Make more time for beloved ones.

8.     Spend more time using the scooter, and less time in the car.

9.     Reduce workaholic-ness tendencies. Nap ministry.

10.   Look for work, and for a workplace which aligns with my belief system. 

Susan Albert Blackett Jones Project

Well, our collaboration appeared in the Mi Casa show. It was fun to "turn it in", and to watch it get placed on the wall. And, it was fun to unlock the memories of our beloved grandma... Thank you Jana Rains, for working on this with me.

 

North Wall Library Mural (Part 2)

The Earth and Mars came together pretty well. But, Jupiter gave me quite a bit of trouble. During Thanksgiving break, I painted a quick 12 x 12 study with new colors. Thankfully, I listened to an audio book, and to students, and to Miss Sandy. This enabled me to loosen up on Jupiter. It helps to just forget what you're doing a bit, and to not pay too much attention. It's one of the reasons that I listen to audio books in my clay shed. It's a form of "gentle distraction". Your hands and heart take over the project.

After Winter Break, the East Wall will get some attention. The general background color is pink. Michelle, of Heart Room, is working on an undersea mural on the south wall. 

 

North Wall Library Mural (Part 1)

We had a lot of blue paint, left over from Owen's bedroom remodel. So, this wall became solar system themed. I created large circular paper templates, and chalked in the planets onto the wall. Then, I filled in the circles with white acrylic paint. Finally, the process of adding color began.

My students painted some circular stars. This gave the mural some dimension.