My Creative Lifestyle

I was glancing through back issues of Clay Times and came across an interview Lana Wilson did in the July 2008 issue with Annie Chrietzberg. Annie talks about her own "Ceramic Lifestyle," making no apologies for her diverse life in clay - as an artist, teacher, writer and part-time employee at a tea shop. All of it combined to make her life in clay possible while still putting food on the table.

That's my story as well. I wear several hats and have felt at times like a quick-change artist, going from my professional life in marketing and PR/design to dancing around my studio covered with clay dust. In between the two worlds, I get to walk my dog along beautiful coastal trails twice a day if I'm lucky.

And I am lucky. I am blessed (so far!) with a great deal of energy and love all aspects of my life. It hasn't always been this good, but it sure is particularly awesome now. 

So, I'll not whine this afternoon when I need to "suit up" and drive the 3 hours for client meetings over in the valley. I'll have the marketing career "hat" on through Thursday morning  but will be back in the studio by Thursday afternoon. This dual-career path gives me the freedom to create whatever I want in the studio and I'm not tied into what sells well. Although I do really enjoy it when someone honors me with a purchase!

ALSO - a big shout-out to all of those who gave me camera recommendations from my earlier post. Very helpful! Thank you! Thank you!

Request for camera recommendation?

Request to fellow potter-bloggers.... I'm needing to buy a new digital camera. My goals are to purchase a camera that will work well for product photos. I'm just starting to delve into that. I've got one of those photo cubes and lighting, but haven't actually set it up yet.

I'm not expecting to get professional results, just want them good enough to post online. I know I'll have to learn more about lighting, etc.

My Canon has finally bit the dust.

Any recommendations?

Commission completed!

Before departing for our big Brazil trip, I unloaded a kiln-load of pots for the Blue Dolphin Inn in Cambria. I hurriedly called the interior decorator who commissioned me (thanks Lisa Marlow!) and let her know they were ready. She basically said I could cool my jets, and that she would pick them up upon my return.

Lisa came by a couple of days ago, loved the pots and actually helped me pack them up for her delivery to the Blue Dolphin Inn. She's awesome to work with and has asked for more work for her gallery shop in Paso Robles, CA. Thank you Lisa Marlow!

So, each of these babies will be adorned with a silk plant and sit on a table in a guest suite at the Blue Dolphin. 

I took a few snaps of the pots before Lisa arrived. 

Why I've been absent from blog-world

The view from our window on our Brazilian island... Seems like light-years away... Will be back to my studio soon!

New display is smashing success

While moving things around in my gallery, I managed to smash two glass shelves in my tall display. Yes, haste does make waste. But it also led to a new way of looking at my space -- and I like it better!

The two glass shelves on the left side of the display cabinet came smashing to the floor of the display. Since I'm leaving town, I didn't have time to get replacements and needed to fill the space. 

Ta-da! My sister's quilt art now graces the back wall and I hung one of her pieces on thread from the top of the display. Her small pieces on the back wall are ready for framing or finishing. It's interesting how these "unfinished" pieces have created interest. I sold three similar pieces when they were just stacked on a shelf, so these should go quickly... But then I'll have to think if some other way to fill this space!

The surviving pieces from the dinnerware display are now on a side table. I like the way it looks on the table, as if ready for use. 

Much better! A smashing success!