Sunday 13 May 2012

My Studio Is All New Again.

Well nearly. It seams like yesterday when I opened the doors to find muddy water up the walls, green mould growing, thickening the air. Collected and cherished supplies all gone.

I now have an aged floor from about 1920, the men said, who salvaged it from a home that was to be listed. The owners had other plans for the land and made sure the old home was no longer in any state to list. Very sad as Australia being such a young country has so little history. I now have a deep, dark, old wood floor steeped in history of all to see that come to visit me. As I sit creating I am sure that it will feed me.










I have settled on the furniture placement, I think, I hope. One never has enough space does one !



Today I have been out foraging for interesting storage containers for the shelves and inside the cupboards. I have found two lovely tins.











I chose with my heart, I do hope they will fit supplies. I am thinking if I containerise each type of supply I can take that container with all my needs to my desk, spread out the contents, once finished place them all back in their box to go back away till next time. The purpose is to cut down foraging time. What do you think !








Along with my tins I found two stools. Guest stools for the other side of my scaffolding desk, recycled of course.

One is red, shinny red. So full of life and colour. Which brings to me the "Well nearly" statement at the beginning. I need to find the right red paint to adorn the wall behind my seat. Which is no ordinary seat it is a Herman Miller ! I long to sit in my chair, feel his creative genius hold my body in its correct alinement as I create. I digress.












The other stool is a heavy iron Singer sewing machine base with aged wood top.




I love the shop. I get my little finds from Brenden loves to find unusual peices that have a history, we're once some-thing else that no longer has a use and now has a new life. Village is the name of this lovely shop. They will post stock to you where ever you are.








The gardeners are laying some of the old bricks from our home, down around the studio in a herringbone pattern. Yes with plenty of drainage under them and a long grate in front of the door step. Double the insurance. I don't want to have to go through that again ! Soon I will beable to move all my supplies in, set up my creative workstation and the computer workstation then create.


My clay art has been really taking over my life. Which is wonderful. Inspirations has been coming in from all areas, from dear dear friends who have kept me moving forward with their gifts and encouragements.




This little care package came from Liza Zeni.
You can go see her blog for amazing words, recipes and images.


These lovely old books came from Ollie and from Fiona. Filled with inspirations. There are some very talented potters in these two books. I have added two of my bowls that are half way through their processes. Off to the glazing and kiln soon for them and their friends.













So I have taken over our old kitchen to make all my plates and bowls in, which has been working out really well. Thank-goodness we have been too busy to take out the old kitchen and turn the room into a spare room. It has been perfect for working with clay.




Since my new kiln Ned arrived I have been in full production.






Here is some of my work. They are made from a Stoneware, Porcelain body clay. Which I enjoy using due to the handleing and fireing qualities it has






Working on the bowls for 19Karen's Exhibition has been such a joyful experience. Not that I am finished yet. The dead line is getting closer as is the excitement. Here is a sneak preview of some of my work.

You can go to " MY PAGE " on 19Karen's website to see and read where and how I came to this. Yes I am ecstatic that I have a page on their website !




I am looking forward to seeing all the other artists from near and far's interpritiontion of the theme. Art Of Spain.


What do you think of when you hear Art Of Spain ?
How do you choose what you bring home into your life's ?
Are you careful where you discard items you can no longer use to insure they don't end up as landfill ?


18 comments:

  1. Your studio sounds lovely! You'll have to take pictures and share them with us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just wanted to keep you updated on the progress. The cleaning of the old house bricks are taking a little longer than thought. So the outside access area is still rather yukky. There-fore nothing has changed inside the studio to show you. But it is happening. I am feeling a little stuck in limbo by this whole process.

      Delete
  2. Gosh, Brenda, I was just thinking that too. You bet me! Looking forward to seeing some photos, Helen, your studio sounds really cool, some befores, durings and nows?!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to watch those Canadians, they are fast. Helen nothing has really changed other than I have moved some of the cupboards and sittee around as it was not feeling right with the space that I have. There is so much still to do around the studio I am shy to take any snaps until it looks a bit better. The out side is just taking a little longer than I planned.

      Delete
  3. Hello ladies, gosh you are fast. I posted my draft so I wouldnt loose it with view to finishing it later.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm glad I came back to see the rest of your posting Helen! What lovely pieces you've created for the exhibition! Are they stamped? mishima? I absolutely love the black and white! I'm also excited to see more pictures of your studio...the red wall sounds lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ones for the Exhibition are stamped into think clay with the edges of the wooden stamps. Then the numbers into the centre. I apply layers of the black glaze let it all dry then wipe off to leave the shadow. The others are Indian Sari printing blocks. with the same process.

      Delete
  5. Your pieces look wonderful. The studio looks great. Congratulations on all! I look forward to seeing more of your creations:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. your bowls are totally amazing.........

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you Sondra. I am trying to see the sorting of the supplies as fun ! Thank-you for the idea planet.

      Delete
    2. Whoops that was planting of the idea. Not planet that we live on.

      Delete
  7. I LOVE that floor!! So glad to see pics!! (and o my gosh Helen, how devastating, what happened to your studio in the flood!!)
    Your containers are gorgeous :D I can just picture what your place will look like - I'd love to visit and have some fun creating one day!
    Ow, that stool :D It's gorgeous!! And so is your repurposed scaffolding worktop!
    I love Ned and what he throws out - but of course it's YOU doing all the work :) Ow wow, those letterpress bowls... Not to mention your other patterns... I wish I could stock my kitchen with them...
    I am so happy for you, that things are working out with your studio and you're still in full creative Flow!! Keep it coming, talented lovely lady! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yvonne please put a visit to Down Under to my little studio for an arty play and much more in your wish jar. I am sure you will need a big holiday one day, when that day comes our home will be here for you and your family. Thank-you for your vey kind words. Wait till you see the red stool.

      Delete
  8. WOW, beautiful HElen you really have been a busy bee. I've taken a little time out to catch up on some friends blogs this morning and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading these past few blogs of yours. Your work has really jumped ahead in huge leaps the past 6 months. I can see lots of strength, courage and confidence in your work and it seriously is stunning! I LOVE the photo of you during the celebrations after the exhibition launch. You are glowing and look so relaxed and happy. That just warms my heart to see you really enjoying every minute of what you are doing. I so wish I could of been there for you. One day I will be able to I am sure (o: I look forward to catching up on my letter writing and getting back into our lovely communications in the coming week. Til then dear friend, keep up the beautiful heart work that you are doing. I love the inspiration and encouragement you are sharing with us all. Much love Liza xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so happy you had some spare time lovely Liza. Your thoughts are so encouraging to me. I have just been invited to join the next group exhibition in December. It will be very sunny and warm here, ideal for introducing Tully and Flynn to the art of Jet Skiing ! I will keep you posted hehehe.

      Delete
  9. What a great artwork! So fantastic!
    I loooooooove it

    a big hello from Spain,
    elena

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I big hello from Down Under Elena.
      Thank-you for coming to visit and your feelings towards my work. I appreciate it. I have been over to see what you do and got so lost in a dream of images, full of visual textures and food for my eyes and creative mind. I have to go back and find out more about you lady from Spain.

      Delete