My Year To "Enhance"...

It has been quite a while since I felt really inspired to work in clay…

I mean in the "fun" kind of way - not just, oh, I have some orders - gotta get into the studio…

Not since I really started to play with my shards (what a great feeling it is to make those!)

MarshaNealStudio Porcelain Shards (in my Etsy Shop)
So I started there. Balls of clay, rolled out for textures…

To tell you the truth, I was trying to make tops for some Oak Tree Seeds (acorns).

These "bumpy shards" kinda picked up this twisted organic shape to them.

My brain went right to mushroom stems. Will go back to acorns later - this I love…

I love coming across mushrooms and fungi on walks in the woods…

So naturally, I wanted to make some. I have for a while - just didn't ever do it - and when it just happened - well - that means it is time to RUN with it - run like a rabbit…

The artist inside of me is a person inspired by nature, textures, patterns, designs, depth, colors, curvy things, and so on. 

I collect things. I want to try to make things that look like things I have collected, or use their texture in some manner (inspiration for drawings, pushing it into clay, whatever)…

I have ideas that I just can't seem to shake out of my head and into the clay.

This is something I wish to change in my way of thinking about working in the studio this year.

Get rid of production mode mentality…

A little peek at some porcelain "nests" that are in a bisque firing right now...

Pods, nests, seeds - things that envelop life are edging to the surface…

They have been for a while.

I think these will be great.

My next thing: stop just showing pictures of stuff I am making - follow through.

Get them out there for people to use to make fun things with them.

I like the way that Nancy of Round Rabbit just makes what is in her head and heart and sells the crap out of them - when they are gone, they are gone. What a great way to free yourself!

And with Feb. 3rd approaching…

The year of the rabbit (metal). 

It is time. My time...

I was born in the year of the rabbit - (wood) - May 1975.

Things happen in cycles and circles for me.

It is time to "enhance" my life - right Jenny? 

My word for this year!

Enhance…

Are you living up to your promises to yourself for 2011 so far?

If not - you've got until 11:59, 12/31/11 to get on it…