a new year, still brand new and somewhat shiny
I can't help but feel the same excitement at the turning of the year that I felt as a child, watching my parents planning New Year's Eve parties or getting dressed up to go to them, talking of "resolutions", hopes and plans
there was something enticing in the joy of the prospect of a fresh start so I took that feeling of enticement for a walk and yesterday I did a big sort out and tidy up in the studio, finding new ways to organize things so I was finally able to get the stacks of current work off the floor and into boxes, baskets and trays that are easily shelved and no longer a tripping hazard
my list of what to continue working on and what to experiment with is rather long and growing and I'm excited to begin to move some ideas forward whilst also working to improve skills such as watercolour painting, paper-making and calligraphy so being organized seemed rather important and a good place to begin
today I got to spend time in a tidy serene serene space - well worth the time and effort
in the tidy up I came upon a small bowl I crafted back in November using papers I had made as well as commercially made Japanese papers I had printed with some of my newly edited photos, all things I learned in Karen Olson's "Focus & Flow" course by Fibre Arts Take Two
in addition to teaching ways of editing and how to make paper Karen also taught doing sculptural work with the paper using Jin Shofu, a wheat paste that is said to be one of the smoothest adhesives there is
for my first attempt at sculptural work with the paper I chose a bowl, mostly because I had several good options to use for a mold
papers torn, cut and layered over a form I had wrapped with cling film
working upside down had me thinking of the bowl from the inside out, the first papers laid down would be the most visible on the inside, the last papers, the most visible on the outside
not wanting to overthink it, I pushed away thoughts of a desired outcome and simply focused on a somewhat balanced placement of the graphics as well as working to ensure an even thickness
the cling wrap didn't turn out to a good idea, the bowl didn't want to release from the form and I finally had to give it a good yank, tearing it slightly
remembering seeing pottery mended in France using bent wire I grabbed my stapler and fixed it in a jiff
three petite brass staples... they add a little air of rustic elegance I think
vessel #1 taught me a few things and whilst I don't have a hankering to continue much with making bowls there are a few other things I can think of that have sculptural qualities that I've got on my list but first up is another foray into making paper
and so the adventures continue...
wishing all of you a New Year that inspires and delights you, one filled with interesting adventures of your own
take care,
jillayne
