In-process transfers...

I printed photos and began transfers today...here they are in process....

I've peeled off some of the paper but there is more to go - when they are wet you can see more of the transferred image peeking through....

New beginnings...

I haven't done much with collage in a while.  Here are two new beginnings inspired by scenes at Huntley Meadows...

Here are the touchstones fired last night...

And a new experiment creating a felted labyrinth ball...

Felt and stones...

Today I glazed my collection of labyrinth stones.  They are in the kiln now.

Another summer project is organizing art supplies and spaces at home.  The dilemma here is that most of the disorganization is unfinished projects.  I seem to think if I keep them visible maybe I will return to finish them.  

One example is felt color wheels.  I made them in the winter with varying degrees of success.  And then my pup sniffed them out of assorted boxes and bags and tore them.  It's a good opportunity to reuse the felt to add to my collection of colorful felt stones.  The goal is to make enough to remake my color wheel wreath for my front door.  Here are the ones I made today...

Cooking and clay...

As I waited for the kiln to cool, Chad and Kevin fired up the other heated apparatus on the back patio, the smoker.

Our July 4th centered around new recipes for smoking pork loin and corn on the cob. 

I made a fruit salad and an once cream cake, family favorites with red and blue berries.

Here's my collection of leaf print necklaces after their final glaze firing...

Into the Kiln...

Today I worked on collecting various small clay projects and getting them completed to load the kiln. The kiln is now firing with touchstones, objects from a small group I led, a sculpture from my son and several leaf print necklace charms that need glazing.
I forgot to take a picture of these....with glazing the "after" is much more exciting than the "before."
More to come tomorrow...

Making music...

I'm learning to play the ukelele.  I practiced fairly regularly in the winter but put it aside in the spring as I was getting ready for my art show.

Today Anna came to help me learn one of the songs they play at camp.  She even persuaded Ryan to join us and play the melody in the cello.

It was a joy to learn and practice and to enjoy this in a group, sharing the language of notes and music and songs. It's a language still new to me but it's delightful to learn.

Reflecting on 183 days of making...

This is my 183rd post this year (there was one post last year); marking the half way point in this commitment to a year of making, reflecting and sharing.  The commitment has certainly supported my practice.  The last six months have brought great opportunities for making and learning in community and for sharing my work.  I am especially grateful to all who have attended my exhibit at Huntley Meadows.  It is a great joy to see people connect with my work and I continue to learn about the park and the others who enjoy its sanctuary as I visit.  

Today my making was more touchstones - most will go to art-o-mat.  I fit in time on the porch with clay between errands with kids, visits with friends, and general housekeeping.  Most of these were made this evening on the porch as the light faded and I listened to the sounds of the woods and creek. These were soon accented by sounds of fireworks or duck hunting or both.  

As I continued the repetitive process of making the stones, I was reminded of how making can be a form of prayer.  When loud noises seemed to disturb the quiet, I came back to the clay in my hands.  I want to be present to each one - to give it the attention and care of a handmade object.  As I make it I can imagine the hands that might hold it.  I can also think of other hands that have held and shaped this clay.  In the past this clay was used in my classes by families so it has been used to make create shapes as well as imagined landscapes, creatures and stories.  

Each labyrinth I shape is a chance to reflect on journeys.  I stamp the design but then smooth edges and cracks on each one with water.  So they have a mix of repetition and individual care.  

My son joined me for a bit and made this figure.  And I made a final touchstone for myself.  It says "trust" and I will add it to the stones around the candle on our dining room table once it's fired.