Free floating

Woman resting on a patchwork quilt

Having decided to create my own version of a sabbatical this year, I am temporarily and deliberately working without much direction and doing as I feel (sounds pretty pretentious and pompous perhaps but I assure you I have been working very HARD over the past ten years and it's good to step back and see where things are at). 

Wire flowers in vase

I still spend most of my time in the studio but rather than working relentlessly making things with a view to selling, the emphasis is on exploring and experimenting. 

Earthenware bowls on hand dyed and stitched linen mat

(on the projects page)

Working with clay is very meditative and demands a slower pace than what I have been used to. You can't hurry the drying and firing which means at least two weeks before one can see the results. 

The jewellery-making area

And here is an area of great explorations involving much trial and error, making use of recycled materials, found and re-purposed objects - odd, unusual, gnarled and beaten are the most inspiring.

Blue Moon 

Dyed wood and silver necklace

One of a few new pieces in the SPACE range, designed for

Nell's Emporium in Mosman Park. 

Carved and Etched

Carving away designs etched into underglaze on earthenware 

A light touch and plenty of experimenting with different tools to find the one that works best ...

accidental and deliberate marks ... wabi sabi  [beauty in imperfection] ... reminds one of murals, frescoes, graffiti 

Design experiments

Ceramic cups with carved design

Ceramics

Bird looking

Bird flying

Bird asleep

Woman and the moon

I learned many interesting things today after a creative session with a friend who arrived with brushes, ink and inspiration. I have always loved the simplicity of ink wash drawings, but never thought to try it. Semi-controlled mark-making, focusing on the application of ink and the movement of the  brush. For example, dip the brush in water and dry off on a cloth. Dip in half-strength ink then dip just the tip in full strength ink. Hold the brush down on the paper and twirl in a circle. Use a pointed stick/twig and full strength ink for detail. 

Coiled basket project

Coiled and stitched plant-fibre basket

I thought it might be interesting to (re)introduce a projects page to the blog (over on the top right). Here you will find something about the processes behind the products and maybe be inspired to explore and experiment for your own pleasure and delight!

The benefits of staying put

silk bags on a rusty chair

While wandering the world has great appeal,

staying put in one place

and attending to a task 

from start to finish 

(no interruptions or distractions 

and with 

complete focus and determination 

to get the thing done)

has proven (for today at least)

that staying put has its benefits

Twenty pieces of jewellery 

in twenty new silk bags

twenty pieces of paper string

twenty photos

twenty tags

twenty cards

one catalogoue 

with twenty descriptions

A good day's work.

More HERE