so much to learn…

It seems like forever ago that I answered Seth’s question, “What is the one thing that you know now that you would have liked to have known when you first started to create art?” Well my answer, “that one life time would not be long enough to learn all the things I would need to know” is as true now as it was then.

During the past year I’ve been experimenting with different materials thinking that one might work well as a compliment to the steel which is my primary medium. I took to clay immediately loving the contrasting color and texture against the steel. Unfortunately the feelings haven’t been mutual. What a struggle. I’ve been working with metal for so long (most of the learning curve is behind me) that I had forgotten how hard it is to understand and master a new material. I’m okay with shaping the clay but the glazing part seems to have a mind of its own. But I’ve stuck with it, sometimes making the same forms over and over again to get the glaze results I want. These pieces will be part of a gallery show I’ll be doing in March here in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s a completely new direction for my work and so I’m very excited.

At this point I’m not even sure two lifetimes would be long enough to learn everything I need to know. That saying, “the older I get the less I know” is what I’ve been feeling lately.

“Ledge #6”, 12”x12”, steel plate, steel beam sections, clay.