It seemed for a while there that I was losing my artistic motivation to work in clay.
There comes a point in my life, and I am sure I am not alone in this, that I burn out in whatever medium I happen to be working in. My previous mediums included wood burning, gourd art, digital painting, basket weaving, airbrush painting and pastels. Each of these I fully engaged myself in, learned everything I could about the medium. Bought every tool and supply I needed and actually created some pretty things.
Then one day, usually around the 5-year mark, I would wake up and say, “it’s time to try something new”.
Around this time last year, I started to feel the same way about pottery. Much as I loved sgraffito I was losing my artistic motivation to come up with new designs and I was getting tired of doing the old one! I struggled with glazing, never really embracing the chemistry behind it to make really cool and pretty glazes. Much as I love making (and drinking from) mugs, it seemed like that was all I was making.
I was bored and that led to the ultimate decision to sell the studio and make the permanent move to the lake, a decision I do not regret.
It was hard at first to walk away from working and making all the time. Then my mind shifted, and I didn’t even want to go into my new studio.
I guess I needed that break because now I am all inspired again and ready to jump back into the clay.
Things will be changing.
With this new desire to create in clay I am looking at new clays, new forms, new glazes and new techniques. Today, while I am writing this, my bisque kiln is cooling with a full load of small bowls and spoon rests, made out of two new clay bodies, that will become test subjects for some new glazes. I am also testing some very cool, gritty, speckled clay which I am anxious to go look at!!
Artistic Motivation FOUND
I don’t know what will become of all of this, but I am excited to take a new path on an old road. I have been collecting and modifying a few new glazes in glazy.org which I will be mixing up today to test. Some new forms I want to make are dip and chip plates, flower planters, more bowls. tall vases, more oil dispensers. I think I will try to keep the look a bit minimalistic which may be hard for me but we shall see.
Below are some of my previous artistic explorations!
I grew this sunflower and then captured it in Pastels way back in 2014! Even then, I loved sunflowers
Hand weaved Pine Needle Basket
I loved wood burning on gourds
Please note this post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase. This is, of course, at no cost to you, and I only share products that I use and love myself.
My name is Dani and I am the potter behind this page! I am retired and having a ball being the artist I always wanted to be. My studio is located in NW Arkansas where I live a quiet life, on a lake with my husband, 3 dogs and two cats.
Have a look around!
Caliper Plastic Clay Measuring Pottery Tool
These are great when you need to have two pieces fit together nicelu....like lidded jars! I have two and they are always in use
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Shimpo Banding Wheel
These may be expensive but they are worth every penny!! They are banding wheels on steroids! Super heavy duty and spins freely, smoothly, and quickly!!
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Craft Sponges
One thing you can never have enough of in the Pottery Studio is Craft Sponges. Personally, I love these little round ones. I use them while throwing on the wheel to keep things moist but I have also cut them into shapes to use while sponge painting with underglaze.
Razortip Woodburner
This is the woodburner I used when burning on gourds. It is an amazing, high quality wood burner that if you are doing a lot of wood burning you deserve it! It maintains steady heat and you can get a whole bunch of cool tips for it.
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