March 18, 2015

  • Looking Stuck on You

    The March 2015 Scavenger Hunt prompts are mostly quotes and questions. The rules do not limit the responses to poetry or prose but include any creative expression. The prompt for today is the question: "What gives you a sense of wonder?" I am drawn to the absolute beauty of those things too small to be seen with the naked eye. It is like sharing secrets with God. These things are part of His marvelous creation and here we get a peek. I'm currently fascinated by the coccoliths but there is wonder in pollen, seeds and spores, and even the human body when examined on a cellular level. We are all exquisite creations living in a world that has hidden beauty that we ignore most of the time. I try to remember to look closer and when I do I see wonderful things!

    20150310_191636     20150310_191627_1

    The above photos are of my latest orb. It is a coccolith found in the Alboran Sea. I am very disappointed in the result. I spent a fair amount of time creating it. Although the glaze is not as vibrant as I'd have liked, it still would have been pretty. Unfortunately for several of us, the kiln tech loaded the pieces too close together. The result is that two pieces stuck to my orb. The tech "whacked" them while they were still hot and was able to break them apart. The other pieces lost a bit of glaze and I gained spots of glaze. The edges were sharp as glass and I had to file them down to avoid blood shed while carrying it home. The glaze was Shaner's Gold with St. John's Black as accent dots. The photo below is what the "good" side looks like.

    20150310_191642

    I am waiting for a couple other pieces to come out of the kiln. Most importantly I'm holding my breath for my guinea pig sculpture.

Comments (19)

  • I like your unique creations, Val.

    I read of a professor who used MRI"s to show the deveopment of a baby in 9 minutes with tricky photography. He said you cannot deny the devine when seeing it.

    He also said someting unusual. Two quarts of sperms and eggs would be the start of the 8 billion people on the planet. lol

  • I am sorry that the Kiln tech ruined your piece and those of 2 others. It is evident you put time into it. Luckily you have a good side you can set facing forward, so all is not lost. This orb reminds me of a bunch of corn nuts rolled together like a popcorn ball. :)
    I've got fingers crossed for the guinea pig too.

    • I got the guinea pig back... it survived! Photos will be posted soon. I may have to wait to ship it since I've got to find packing materials and boxes. I think someone must have said something to the tech as this latest firing went much better!

  • So sad that your work can be downgraded by a careless kiln tech! This is a beautiful orb otherwise, and I hope you can display it to show the good side!

    • I have it in the computer room for now. It only looks good when viewed directly from above... I'm thinking I may have to display it in an unconventional manner!

  • That is beautiful. Just put it where the good side shows.

    • Easier said than done since the good side is just the top! This has made me think of some alternative displays...

  • In China and Korea, an artist includes a deliberate flaw in a piece of work, so as to remain humble. That can be your excuse!

    • Ha! Brilliant except it wasn't deliberate!! I'm going to ponder what I can do to disguise or minimize the boo-boos!

  • je suis d'accord, Val, l'infiniment petit nous conduit vers l' infiniment grand . Cela nous laisse aussi sentir ce qui ne peut pas être décrit , Dieu.
    Love
    Michel

  • Translated : I agree, Val, the infinitely small leads us to the infinitely large. It also lets us feel what can not be described, God.
    Love
    Michel

  • Interesting creation. I have recently tried my hand at sculpting. I'm very pleased so far but it is done in plastalina and stays soft.

    • Sounds like fun - next step would be to make a mold and then cast in plaster or bronze... I can't afford that route thus ceramics.

  • I sat here looking at this again and thinking...I ought to make a basket just a bit bigger than it is and it could set in it and hide the sides and/or bottom. Want one? I would need to know how big and what color. I would make it round.

    • Wow! Thanks so much! I'd love a hand made basket!!! The little orb is 3.25 inches tall and 3.25 inches across. Just about the size of an orange... Any color would work as the orb is earth tones. Wow - you've really made my day!! Thanks you!

  • I so love your poetry but your orbs are just a bit creepy. The corn nuts comparison did make it more palatable.

    • Hehe! I have always said my art appeals to a very narrow audience. I'm just happy when the few xangans here appreciate it...

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