Follow me on my journey. I’m learning to work with clay!
We moved to Green Valley, AZ in July 2023. There are some great art and craft studios here and I joined the Green Valley Clay Studio in October 2023. I’m learning a new craft (or is it an art?). There is so much more to working with clay than I ever imagined. I will be posting my learning journey here. Follow me. It may just find you’d like to try it too at a local studio near you.
Ceramic artist Jena Benson inspired the bird (or chicken?) piece. I took her online class and decided to create this piece at home rather than at the GVR Clay Studio. What a mess I made in my house! Not a great idea. The sides of the bird are a little sunk and I realized later that I should have waited until the slabs were leather-hard before assembling the bird. It would have been more stable. I also stained it with red iron oxide hoping for a browner bird. I also learned not to wipe so much off and to let it dry completely before painting other glazes over it.
I also finished my first sculpture. This also was heavily influenced by Jena Benson. I call this piece Deer Woman. Deer Woman wants to live in my garden and protect the plants. I’m happy to abide by her wishes.
I have another sculpture drying and soon will be ready to fire. I’m glad I am learning what to do and not to do. Our GVR Clay Studio is filled with helpful artists!