Boxes....Everywhere!!!

Parrot sketch for china

Boxes...they are all around me. The are even in my sleep.

I'm near the end of the "boxes project" and I will be happy to put china painting to rest for a spell. At least until sometime in January. I'm seeing boxes all around. I can't look at a magazine without thinking how that centerpiece in the shot will be nice reference for the roses around the dog or the parrot. Everything I see, if I'm not paying attention, turns into a china painted piece in my head. Sorta like a video or movie that happens inside there. I see paint smooshing around and forming images. It's both cool and annoying at times when I'm tired.

First layer of china paints

When this happens I know I've reached the end of the project and it's time for a break. I hope to have the very last piece of this box project done by Monday and I can reveal all the pretty pieces that were created. I'm actually really happy with most of them (there are always one or two that never come out as planned) and I feel I made huge strides in color application and rose formation. I just sorta figured it all out of a need to complete the project.

Now though, time to become human again and help decorate a Christmas tree. Of course I won't go without my sketchbook and brand new ceramics book to flip through! I mean, there is only so much tree trimming I can take before my mind starts crying to be fed more art.

The Grind

Painting on china

It was back to the grind today. Thankfully "the grind" for me is a pleasant one. I will admit that coming back to the china painting after having been away for a spell has been a tad frustrating. The best way I can describe painting on porcelain is like running on ice with high heels. If I would just learn how to relax a bit more when I'm working I'll have better results. At least, that is what I tell myself when I am painting anything other than little mice or rats running about with tutus on. There is another Chaney china being painted this week too. He was being very camera shy. I'll catch him on film tomorrow. He is almost done.

Mice and China

New Halloween Mice Designs

Mice and china seem to be a very good mix for me. Not only am I enjoying this romp with the subject of mice, I am loving the fact that each piece I create is set in stone, or, rather, it is set in china. It's permanent and won't be ruined by air, or water or non archival paper or bad paints. It will last until the piece is broken.

I am exploring some new areas of china painting including scrolling. I haven't had much success with making scrolls with a brush so I turned to the crow quill. I was able to produce some fairly decent scrolling on this green box with the pen. Hopefully the scrolling and red paints survive the kiln.

Decorative box

All these pieces will be for sale so please be sure to stay tuned here or to my news group.

I See Floor!

A clean stock room! Yeah!

I can see my floor once again in my stock room!

On Friday morning I had to gather up some boxes and foam and wrapping paper in order to prepare the little first holy communion box for transport and hand delivery on Saturday (today). I was so disgusted by the condition of the stock room and annoyed that I didn't have what I needed at my fingertips that I just started ripping out EVERYTHING in that room!

It took the entire day to clean and organize my stuff, but it was so worth it! It feels great to be able to walk inside that room and not trip or not have to tip toe over junk on the floor. I even put up shelves on the one wall (left hand side, not in the picture) and gave my resin stock more room. I had actually forgotten about a few of the pieces I had! I'm excited to maybe finish the one little pony whose face I shaved off. I forgot all about her!

Well, the communion party is today and unfortunately I won't get to see the recipients face when they open up the china painted box. All presents will go in a pile at the party and will be opened later. Seeing people's faces when they receive these china boxes is the best part. Perhaps I'll get word that it was received well later in the week.