the Agony and Ecstasy of Show Applications

First of all, I LOVE the Zap application process. A) I can keep a "bank" of good photos on it, that I can keep updating as I get better ones. Once they are there, they're already formatted correctly for all the applications so I don't have to do it over and over again to different specs. each time. B) I can pay through PayPal which means I can use whichever account has the most $$ in it (personal or business) or if I have to I can use my credit card. C) It's all electronic. Nothing to get lost or broken, I am sure they will be able to read my files, *and* it's instantaneous... no snail mail transit time.

(Also, I don't have checks out there that *might* be sent back to me, which makes the accounting process easier. I don't have to pay booth fees unless I am accepted to the show, which means I don't have to worry about having all the $$ for *all* the shows when I am applying. This is a big plus in my book.)

But man does it drive me crazy when people start asking for photographs. *nobody* prints photos of their work (because no-one takes their pictures with film, and if they *did* it would be *slide* film which is really expensive to make prints of). Photos are never as good, and frankly most portfolio pictures are taken to be shown projected or on a monitor (also lit). Yeah, it is relatively easy to go to Target with a thumb drive or something and print off pictures, but it never strikes me as looking as professional as the slides or the digital files, and you *know* you aren't getting a good print, let alone a *great* print. Since most photography is digital nowdays I don't understand why an organization putting on an event would *want* a pile of photographs printed from .jpegs when they could get the files themselves. Isn't it easier for promotional materials to *not* have to convert a photograph into something that will make descent add copy, catalogs, directories or fliers? (scratches head...) Seems like extra work to me.

I checked the CD's to make sure they would open. They are in jewel cases in bubble mailers. Hopefully they will all get there without the CD being *broken* this time. Again, in this day an age, why not have people email you their pictures? It's safer for everyone, and you, the organizer, don't have to worry about mailing anybody back their CDs. Sooo much more convenient.

I am mostly not a technophile but in some cases technology is *gooood*!

Glazing Mixing Bonanza

Tomorrow is the last day of glaze mixing for my class. We got our test tiles back and a *lot* of them turned out to be a) cool or b) beautiful. So many glazes so little time....

Anyway, Liz (a fellow classmate) is meeting me at Northern Clay Center tomorrow and we are going to mix like MAD. Mostly just 1000gm batches (about a quart) and just a couple larger batches. I will have to keep doing some testing at my regular studio and take good notes so that when I have access to the glaze mixing room again I can pick up where I left off with the tests.

I have to say, I love, love, love the process of mixing, testing and playing with new glazes. Ironic, since I really don't like baking. (Though when you think about it, baked goods may *taste* yummy, but they don't turn magical pretty colors in the oven.) I will post some pictures of finished work or test tiles soon!

Realizations

I have been thinking about new work (luna moths, seahorses, octopuses, lilly of the valley, sunflowers, crows) and have come to the conclusion that not only do I not *have* to design a new shape for each new animal or plant I want to explore with my pots, I *shouldn't*. My work will look and feel more cohesive if I develop a few styles for each functional item (cups, bowls, plates, casseroles, etc.) but vary the decoration of them. I have also realized how important drawing is to my creative process, my creative problem solving, and my enjoyment of my craft. More time needs to be set aside for this. It helps me think, and visualize and I find it soothing to do. Like throwing, it is meditative.

Dandelions and Gratitude

I have finally been able to take pictures of the Dandelion platters that are finished. I am really happy with the results, but not sure the photos do them justice. The raw clay is really a beautiful warm, dark brown that I *love*. Since it has the ochre in it (and a fair amount of iron I would guess) it forms a nice surface in spite of being unglazed. I have always wanted to take advantage of the great color of this clay in my designs and want to do more, more, more of this! It goes particularly well with the drawing/carving style of decoration which I have been loving to do. I didn't realize how much I missed drawing until I started doing more of it again.

The dandelions came about because they called to me. The idea of wishing, of wishes coming true seemed important to bring to my work. I am right now "living the dream" so to speak and making the dandelions honors that truth. Each one is a delight and expression of gratitude that life has lead me to this path and this place.