A Great New Project has me Thrilled to be Back in the Studio

It took a few days to build all the blocks, so I wrapped them in plastic, allowing them to set up and shrink to the same size.

I'm feeling very blessed. Three weeks of Covid have me well rested, down five pounds, and last Thursday, I was thrilled my brain turned back on. I now understand what brain fog is. Long Covid has been scary for me through the pandemic, so I'm happy to be my old self. It delayed getting care for my neck, which will be next week. I'm thrilled.

Between blocks, I ensured each was level; no leaning Tower of Pisa here.

I haven't been working a lot, but I've built a challenging project I started Thursday that I'd like to share with you. The commission is a kind of totem pole to cover a post with a decorative (and weatherproof) ceramic sleeve that will celebrate three generations of family living together. It's right up my theme alley with flora and fauna, including hydrangeas, ferns, zinnias, butterflies, and even a dragon and a snake.

The post is 4.5" square and 5'9" tall. To account for shrinkage (clay shrinks when fired), I'm building nine blocks, 6.5" by 8.5". I've made a dozen blocks and thrown a disc for a base as of Monday. I'm fitting the blocks together this week to ensure they line up. Then I'll number them, allowing me to put them back in order after the bisque firing for glazing.

I know the tower doesn't look like much right now. I'm sculpting a bird for the finial and a coiled snake for the base, and it will be pretty busy with imagery and color when it's finished.

Clay is magical; you can do anything with it. Build a hobbit-like house, make a water jar, create a one-of-a-kind piece of art, or make multiple identical units to assemble into a totem pole of colorful flora and fauna, like the project I'm working on now.

Christmas will soon be upon us, and now is the time to start thinking of something unique for your special someone. What would you like to create? I'd love to turn your idea into a ceramic sculpture or a set of mugs that celebrates what you treasure. I'm accepting commissions for the holidays now and want plenty of time to give it the attention it deserves. Let's do a 15-minute complimentary discovery call and kick the holiday off with some exceptional gifts.