Studio in the works

             I thought by now I would have a fully functioning studio. Well, it's going to take a while since I don't want to work in a box. I need natural light, which in turn means, I need windows to be created and installed. In addition to the "natural light" expense, I still need to get the electrician to wire the studio, so I can use my tools.  I have waited more than a decade to get my own space to work in and it seems that it requires some extra time and whole lot more money than I originally thought.  I hope this "project" can be completed by summer so I can can start working.

             On another note, I found out yesterday that after this semester I will need four more classes to graduate with an associates degree in fine arts with a concentration of drawing and painting.  The funny thing is, they won't let me continue with drawing and painting classes, my requirement is design, go figure. Maybe I'll be able to apply the design classes to my glass work. I know that I really don't need a degree to be an artist, but the accomplishment of completing a degree will  bring me satisfaction.  Hopefully, in the future, I'll be able to take this piece of paper and continue on to something bigger and better.

These are the colors that I have chosen to go on the walls (pale yellow) and ceiling (pale blue). I have also picked a pale green to go in the trimming and some of the work tables.  I want to feel as if I'm outside.

  

Success..... finally!

This week I finally and successfully completed a 10" plate with Blue Himalayan Poppies, that I feel is worthy to donate for auction at Say Si!

If your in the San Antonio area, please check out the Say Si auction "Small Scale Work for a Larger Cause"  for details on dates and ticket prices!  Hope to see you there!

                                         Glass fused 10" plate with Blue Himalayan Poppies.

Say Si artwork & workshop update

        It's amazing how time passes so quickly. We're already in February and I feel like I should have accomplished a bit more in January.

          In regards to the Say Si auction, I designed my first plate and didn't care for it after I finished.  The second plate, as I mentioned in my previous post, had a few mishaps.  In my latest setback, after I fixed the size of it, I didn't wait until it was thoroughly dry before I started the kiln to slump it in the mold.  Glass artists know when there is any moisture in the kiln, it can trap the moisture and create bubbles. The design turned out really nice, except for the bubbles. I have until February 16th to deliver my  artwork to Say Si.  I'm going back to cutting board this week with a new design.

I'm not one to shy away from showing my disasters so here they are:

 As you can see, the bubbles rise under each flower........ (2nd plate)

The placement of the small bud on the bottom is something that just doesn't look right....... and I don't like the blue frit against the black & red. (1st plate)

Okay, so onto the update of my workshop.  Friday I picked up the paint, thinking that today I would be painting the walls and the ceiling.  Not so, tape, float and sanding are still occurring in there right now as I type.  At this moment I'm just happy that it's being worked on :)

Have a wonderful February!!!

setbacks....

                  It's amazing how I trip myself up and create setbacks for myself; all by myself.  I want to cry, but instead I laugh about it because I did it all to myself :)

First off, I knew from reading the rating of my professors they weren't going to be the easiest instructors, but I still signed up for their classes.  Then I procrastinated until the middle of the first week of class before I got around to ordering the books I need.  Are they here yet, oh noooooooo.  When's my test? tomorrow.... :)
So that's one setback.

Now, I've been working on my Say Si glass project for a while now.  The first plate, I decided I didn't like my design. Not a problem, I have time..:)  Designed my second piece this week, cut all my glass. Was ready to clean and put in the kiln.  As I walked to the sink I decided to pick up the phone and call my daughter....bad move, my shoulder up and my hand tilted down "SMASH" half of my design was on the floor in many more pieces than I cut.   Back to the cutting board....  SO now I cut the new pieces, cleaned everything and put in my kiln.  Now I was looking at the base of the glass which is  clear circle, and thought to myself "that is big".  Yes, yes, yes, how right I was.  Instead of taking it back out of the kiln and making the base just a tad smaller I fired it anyway.  Guess what?  My piece is about 1/4th of inch too large for my slumping mold.  hhhmmmm. Well now I face another setback, do I start over?  Do I try to adjust the finished piece and re-fire?   Only the day will tell.

I hope I can think things through a litle better next around to avoid all the setbacks I create for myself.  Happy Thursday everyone!!!!

Just an update: As I logged out, my doorbell rang and the postman was there with my 2 books to save the day!!!!

Busy, busy, busy!

Wow! As the spring semester took off this week, I found myself with some very intense, but very talented  instructors.  The demands and challenges are high and I'm hoping to get through the next 15 weeks without anxiety attacks. It feels nothing like last semester where everyone was laid back and the instructors were fun to work with.  Oh well, I'm there to learn and get the most out of it.

On another note, my wonderful husband, brother and brother in-law helped to complete the interior of my studio space and installed beautiful french doors! It is not completely finished, but when it is I will post pics!

An exciting little tid-bit, I was invited (again) by Say Si to participate in their small scale art auction.  I'm working on a piece to donate, and hope to have the it ready to deliver by next weekend :)

Did you know that February 8th is National Kite Flying Day? It's one of my favorite days of the year!
I love flying kites, especially on the beach:)

Rockaway Beach Sunset

    Recently, I have had the pleasure in making a new friend on Facebook, Michael Schor. Michael is a photographer taking absolutely stunning photographs of sunrises and sunsets on the shores of Rockaway Beach, NY.  However, before we became friends, another friend of mine on Facebook "liked" one of his photos, (which I loved upon seeing) and asked if I could use the photograph for a project, which he gracefully agreed. The last few weeks I have been working on it and finally thought if I don't stop now, I'll never feel that its finished.

Although I just started painting in the fall of 2012, I find pleasure in it and hope that my skills will grow as I continue on this new journey.   A heartfelt thank you Michael for allowing me to use your photograph!

                                           30" x 36" acrylic

I loved living in Rockaway and waking up to the ocean and the sunrises.  In the evenings I would climb the life guard chair and watch the sky as the sunset!

Happy New Year!

A new day to the new year!!!!

South Padre Island Sunrise  16" x 20" acrylics