Thursday, March 4, 2010

Lines In the Earth


My sketch book is filled with drawings of pieces I want to make. I've been itching to make these particular pots which I sketched in my journal. I sketched them from a feeling I got from lines in the earth as we traveled across the country.


The drawings in my journal are more true to what I envisioned than the two pots I've made. For perspective the little pot is toothpick size. I intended to make the pots a much larger and low rectangular shape rather than the taller shape. Normally, my pots are closer to my drawings, but not this time, so I plan to explore this form and slip decoration some more.

I can't tell you how many times I took photos of these pots before I captured them in focus, trying to keep cat hair off the background and the pot. Living in an RV with three cats is taking it's toll on us. It's probably not easy on our three cats either. They used to go outside during the day and wander around freely.


I'm having withdrawal from clay since the number and size of pieces I can make are limited. I feel an urge to be making so much more in clay. I also have several very large pieces in mind I want to make, several geometric and building inspired pieces. There just isn't enough room and it's frustrating dealing with the cramped space.


We've been staying in an RV park and paid for a month to save money a couple of weeks ago. We had planned to travel around much more but towing the trailer is fraught with complications finding an RV space long enough to park it. Also RV parks are more expensive paid by the day. Then there has been the colder weather in most places which prevented us from traveling farther north right now towing a trailer.

Gary has been looking at homes in this area and we may end up here rather than farther north like we thought. Old bones and arthritis are much better in warm moist climates, so luckily we've been feeling much better health wise here than other locations. Might not be singing the same tune in the summer though. Beds in RVs aren't that comfortable; whenever Gary sees a nice big bed, he feels like lying down on it and stretching out. Once we are settled we can drive up the Eastern seaboard in the late Spring to visit more potters and eventually end up in New Hampshire where we plan to visit relatives. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

13 comments:

  1. I'd be frustrated, too. RVs are cramped, almost sorta claustrophobic. I'm sorry. Hang in there! But your creative juices are really working and this is good. Love your earth designs! But I'd really wait and get a feel for the weather before buying anything as South Florida can be brutally hot/humid in July/August. And please, please have dry wall inspected prior to buying as there's a huge problem with mold both in Fla and La. Good luck and meows to the kitties!

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  2. Hi Kittie, thanks so much, we are looking more in Central Florida, but I suspect the weather would be much the same in summer. We heard about the drywall problem and we read that it can be sent in and tested to make sure it isn't the bad stuff, thanks for the tip. The kitties are wishing they were chasing birds and squirrels, luckily they can look out and see them although I think they may be frustrated since they can't actually run after them. Ha!

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  3. Thinking about you and I hope the weather warms enough for you to make it here!
    I would give you a space to work for a few days, you just need to get here!

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  4. i admire you and your husband for taking on such an adventure. perhaps we will meet when you are in new hamshire!

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  5. Oh my gosh, I feel for you. We lived in our RV for several months while our house was being built in Nevada. Our bed was up over the cab, and once you climbed up there you could barely sit up. There is NO WAY these old bones could climb up there now. I was 20 years younger then, YIKES..that is weird to say. I like those straight-sided pots, they do indeed look like the S.W. landscapes.

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  6. I totally feel your pain. Sometimes my house feels too crowded with only 2 humans and 3 dogs. I frequently refer to my shop area as "Dog Hair Pottery Studio." I hope you find a place to call home very soon. If you're coming into Atlanta please let me know so we can meet up.

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  7. Love the earth lines idea Linda, very cool. I'm actually a bit envious, yesterday was in the warm 40's but this morning we just got about an inch more of snow and tomorrow starts the kids' Spring Break...

    I've got bunny fur goin' on in my studio. He's definitely the Energizer Bunny, going on 11 or 12 years old!

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  8. Hi Linda, Love the pots. I've tried doing some sketches, but they never pencil out quite right. I prefer to work out the creative details in my head.
    I agree.. Settling down in a mild climate sounds wonderful.
    Cindy

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  9. Hi Meredith, thanks, this has been a long winter hasn't it, much more for you I bet, thanks for the offer, I am sure I'll be up there, probably sooner than you think.

    Hi Michele, thanks, I post here when we are headed out, I hope to meet you when we come up.

    Hi Barbara, thanks, we had one of those motorhomes once with the bed over the cab, ugh, thank goodness our bed is on ground level, most times it's ok it's just not having a home base and not knowing when that will be I think.

    Hi Lori, thanks, I hope we can get this RV clean when we get out of it. I will be traveling through Georgia on my way up so, stay tuned for that trip in a month or two.

    Hi Cindy, thanks I feel a bit guilty complaining when I know so many are really suffering with the cold winter we have had so many places, but everyonece in a while it helps to vent. Your bunny is amazing to live that long good for him, must be your good care.

    Hi Cindy, thanks, some of my drawings are ok, then others I just can't get to look right, but even if they don't they help jog my memory later on when I am looking for something to make. I can just leaf through my journal and have lots of choices.

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  10. at last I had the time to take photos of the tools i use for the sgraffito, and to describe the process. best of luck for finding your "way"...

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  11. Hi Varda, thanks so much, I will check out your blog.

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  12. Hi Linda...good post and love the idea for the pots.:)
    You have seen a lot of country in your travels - every landscape. It is interesting to see you put them into your clay work.
    Enjoy the warmth.
    T.

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  13. Hi Trish, thanks, I am really enjoying seeing the different areas of the country. Once I get a home again, I plan to work and travel every so often, it is a renewal to me to see the different parts of nature.

    Hi 幾次的傷害, thanks so much I am so glad you are enjoying my travels and clay.

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I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment