Alchemy of Clay

I don't know which Greek philosopher might have said there are certain constants which are shared as values by all civilizations, all people...and it may not have been Greek.  Beauty, Truth, Love, etc.

So today's constant, I choose to celebrate Beauty.




Whether hiking a mountaintop, strolling by a lake or river, or enjoying an artist's image, each of us appreciates beauty from somewhere deep inside us.  Of course we have our own taste in regards to what we most like, but the constant is that we all know we like something these things have in common.

Beauty just is.  By itself.  To be seen, heard, smelled, imagined, tasted, touched!

As a visual artist I see what appeals to me, and translate it into shapes and colors that I hope appeal to others.  It's a driven impulse in me, to share that connection.  I am happiest thinking that someone else will someday see something I've made and enjoy it also.

I've got other "constants" to share...more on future blogs.

Today's quote:

Wait wait, I'm an artist.  I'm a crafts-person, I can't take time off to be sick.  I need to be up daily and doing...making pottery and sculptures, painting those butterflies and trees and ladybugs and even bees with glazes!


Why oh why do the most needful times end up knocking me out physically?  I'm taking so many medications I think they are playing soccer in my stomach.  That's certainly what it feels like anyway...running up and down the field and kicking my intestinal track...and making gurgling noises with each goal!

And then there's the dizziness from various medications.  They all say right on the label, do not drive or operate machinery until you have taken this for a while.  I guess I'll just sit here.

And at least assemble my ornaments for this year.


They are not angels.  And they are not amoebas, which was a silly use of glaze and clay a few years ago.  Hey, why not hang amoebas on your tree?  Well, I would have!

These are "Angels fly by taking themselves lightly."  Or turtles?  Or? 


I figure a free-form ornament is as good as a ball...these are hoops, with a thingie dangling in the middle.  And some beads and wire and ribbon.  I wanted to go into something more than just the ordinary this year, but not quite as far as an amoeba.


So I sit in the sun (which gives these tired old eyes enough light to thread those tiny wires through the beads and clay holes.


Quote for today:


Carl Jung

Well, I heard a young potter talking about having said she was a potter for the first time today.

I remember having the same feeling several years ago.  I just figured if I made pots, sculptures, things with clay, that made me a potter.

Now I respect people who make their living as potters a lot more...the real professionals.  These men and women work with joy and determination, and obviously a high standard of quality of their work.

Not sure what I am in relation to professionals, though I often accept that as a retired counselor and activity director, I can now be a clay artist.

So my medicines for blood pressure have been changed.  And I went into the studio and started throwing some pots on Thursday last.  I've been returning each day since then...and feeling good about what I'm making.  I leave when I reach a stopping point, or when I'm tired.  And today I finished 2 pieces, and tomorrow will finish creating another one.

I also need to begin the glaze process for the dragon mask.

But mainly I think I'm ok again.  I want to work.  I have energy!

"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone."  Audrey Hepburn