The Sky's the Limit

Ah, it has been so long since I last posted! Since arriving back from visiting my family, my time has been pretty much consumed by work, clay classes and various other things that need my attention... not much time/energy left for blogging. But driving home from class tonight I caught sight of this huge Lenticular Cloud formation over the Mountains of Santa Fe, and I wanted to share it :). I didn't have my camera with me, but was hoping this formation would stick around long enough for me to get home to get it & luckily it did, though let me tell you, these pictures do not do justice the scene as I observed it.  This series was taken in a range of 25 minutes or so~ from blue skies, to sunset glow, to dusk. I so appreciate the beauty of nature.

:) 

Welcome 2012 (yes, it's all about the clay!)

I actually got these piece back in 2011- two days before Christmas, but am just getting around to posting! As usual, I got some pieces back that I really loved (some of which became last minute gifts to co-workers) and some total junkers. To be expected I suppose, with all the glaze testing & mixing/overlapping of glazes that I was doing... and I love to experiment! Here they are, the good, the bad & the ugly!

:)

I took good (albeit messy) glaze notes, so I should be able to replicate the ones that I liked should I take another clay class @ SF Clay in the future.

Here are some of my favorites from the final batch~

... and some close ups below.

It was fun playing w/ different styles, clays, & glazes. On some I went for smoothness & perfection, like the ones above... while in others I went for a rougher, more raw & funky look~ like the ones below.

I do like the funkiness of the handle on this one. I gave it to one of my O.T. friends, who commented on the ergonomic feel of the handle.

:)

Experimenting w/ stamping & oxide stains above.

This bowl was a total experiment using several different glazes... I love how it turned out!

:)

It makes me think of a waterfall leading into a high alpine lake.

:)

Glazing in earth & sky.

:)

Even this one has an earthy feel to me. Reminds me of dark, wet granite covered in lichen.

On the inside I sponged on a different glaze~ I totally dig they way the two glazes blended & dripped down.

These two I'm keeping! I borrowed this glaze combo from one of the potters in the studio & I absolutely love it.

:)

Oh, and of course the bears~

Meh~ I think the glaze turned out o.k, but not one of my favorites pieces.

And the rough bear from many posts ago. The general shape & style of this one I like, but the glaze I think turned out so- so.

So that brings us up to date! My class ended several weeks ago... and I have been working like crazy ever since! (though I did squeeze in one Micaceous pot that I made in my "kitchen studio" but it is still in the very rough stage- so I'll save that for another post.)

Wishing you all the best in 2012!!

As for myself, I don't often make "resolutions" per se, but I would like to sit down & write out some goals for 2012.... and you can be sure they are going to include figuring out how to work less & do clay more! If you have any brilliant ideas on the subject, please share! Now, I'm off the computer to pack up- I'm headed west this morning! I'm off to see my family & dear friends, as I was unable to get out there during the Holidays...

Here's hoping your New Year is off to a wonderful start!

:)