There were three small bags of leftover clay sitting on the counter today. They're remnants of the clay I've been using over the past two months while we've been traveling in our RV looking for a new home and studio. I thought about tossing the clay; not because I am wasteful, but because so many other things are taking precedence for this move, how to transport my greenware safely being foremost in my mind.
I thought I'd try to reclaim the leftover clay since we have to drive 1.5 hours tomorrow to close on our home. Then the rest of the day will be spent unloading my car so we can drive back the 1.5 miles and pack up all the greenware from the RV into my car so we can move it to our new home so we can then move the motorhome along with the cats to our new home.
So I took just the pieces of clay from the upper right hand pile of the darker red clay and rolled it up into coils. I was going to make a coiled vase and then I though no, I need to make something different. I started out with a coiled base and then I just let the clay lead me along and somehow fashioned them into a sculpture. The pile of clay looks so much larger in the sculpture. Sometimes leftovers are better than fresh, not sure if that's the case in this instance, but I'm glad I didn't throw the clay away.
After I made this sculpture I was reminded of the Thousand Arms of Guan Yin representing selfless giving in Taoism. Now that I stand back from the piece, I can think about selfless giving. I hope the coils don't fall off or crack. I'm enjoying learning about religion, history and art while I work in clay. Now that I think about it I hope we have Thousand Arms to help with our move. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Linda, How exciting to find a Home and be settling in. Can;t wait to see pictures. Hope you meet some new friends soon to help with the Move :) Your work reminds me of hands and fingers....so I hope you get that many to help!
ReplyDeleteOr like something Kate Malone would make and paint in lush glazes to resemble a sea urchin.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, thanks, yes it reminded me of hands and fingers too but I thought I'd tie it in with the thousand arms too for the sotry. yes I hope to meet some local ceramics folks to take about pottery with in person and some strong local kids maybe for helping to move. Ha.
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty, thanks, I just looked at Kate Malone's work, I love it, she has a pine cone box on her site that's so cool. Since we'll be so close to the ocean and the gulf I've been thinking of sea creatures a lot and they'll probably start popping up in my work along with more birds. I also see some brighter colors coming along - in our house too - more about that later.
Good to hear you finally have a permanent place!
ReplyDeleteHope you find some strong arms to help set up.
I admire your ability to thoughtfully write and create while going through a major transition. You make everything seem so effortless - good for you! You'll find the Gulf coast very inspirational for your work.
ReplyDeletehi linda, you're moving in! congrats. seems that my intermittent going off the grid has made me miss where you are (not exactly but which state). i see the gulf coast in the comment. new orleans or thereabouts?
ReplyDeleteHi Mr. Young, thanks so much, we're looking for strong arms right now. Ha.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks so much, writing about my clay keeps me focused and at least I have something to document that I am actually accomplishing something creative along the way. But I am not sure it is effortless. We got to our new home yesterday, turned on the well and flushed the toilet and it was running so we took off the toilet lid to check it and the water tube broke loose and shot water over the whole bathroom, mirror, counter, floor, etc. what a mess. Anyway, we got that cleaned up and so far so good. I'm looking forward to settling in and relaxing with some clay pieces a little more complicated than my Rv creations.
Hi Jim, thanks we are in central Florida, near the gulf, more about my location in the next post.
I can't wait to see how the sea life creeps into your work!
ReplyDeleteI think sea coral up there.
Can't wait to see the new digs!
Congrats on finding a new place to live! That is exciting..sounds like it may have a few challenges, but nice to be heading home..:)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the getting settled.And nice sculpture!.
Hi Meredith, thanks, yes I've already been thinking of starfish and coral and alligators too. te he.
ReplyDeleteHi Trish, thanks, well I'm always up for a challenge, but I would much rather be challenged by clay, but Gary and I do have a lot fun redecorating together and have often thought we'd like to do it for a living, perhaps dual career. Ha.
Hi 倫音, thanks, you are probably right. I just told Gary that and he agreed with me. It's nice to think that $20 may mean a lot to someone and not know how but just to trust in the fact that it does.