Chicken Lady

Woaha! I need to clip some wings!!!
I had no idea they could fly up that high
without much effort!

"The chicken lady who plays with clay."

If anyone would ask me to describe myself that is what I would say. Without a doubt I have officially become the chicken lady this week. Perhaps it's the pressure of the upcoming fair and my kiln being too damned small to make a dent in all that I have made that is driving me loopey, but I've found myself just sitting about the garden petting my chickens. It's soothing. It's meditative. It takes away the thoughts that I really, really, really need to spend that money to upgrade my needs in the studio. I can't ignore that any longer. I need to get a bigger kiln.

Newest Raku sculpt

Perhaps that is why I am really enjoying the raku firing process as I've come to know it in my little world. I fire electrically with the Paragon Quick Fire then plunge the red hot pieces into metal coffee cans. It works. It's not traditional, but it sure as hell works. Check out that sculpt! I love it! I almost don't want to sell it. There is something so satisfying about it to my eye. There is something "chicken" about the shape too. I can see a head...a tail...some legs....a chicken!

It's official...I'm the chicken lady!

Close up of raku sculpture

Thursday

Raku sculpture

Thursday already.

Where the heck did the week go? When you love what you do it sure flies. Between trying to finish up lingering summer commissions and pumping out new raku and stoneware for the fall season, I've been busy. Of course, I always seem to be up to something that keeps me rather occupied. A part of me is gearing up for the start of a new school year for my son. A part of me is whining at the thought of summer ending. Our fig tree has yet to produce ONE good fig to eat. It was just too cold and rainy in June to pump that little tree along. I'm bummed. Its not summer till you eat a warm sweet fig from the tree. Yum.

Of course, fall means more commission openings in the equine department. I may open things up to at least one Traditional sized piece this time around. I like painting them. I just enjoy painting the sm sized pieces more these days. I guess I like a powerful punch in a tiny package.

Well, dinnertime. Enjoy your evening!

New lidded stoneware

What We Did Today

Raku fish sculpture

We...

~ Took a nice long walk around the neighborhood.
~ Visited the library and took out many chapter books, including more "Henry & Mudge" books. We love those!
~ Went shopping for discounted pool stuff. Snagged goggles and a raft.
~ Ate some sushi and beef teriyaki.
~ Had a blast at the Tar Beach party.
~ And lastly, took a night swim under the full moon tonight.

It was a wonderful day.