Clay boxes and talismans
“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.”
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When I walked into the garage, it seemed this piece was looking up at the morning light streaming in. Herr had moved it onto his work table with great care while I was away. So it was startling and unexpected to see it there. It is ready for its first firing. This sweetness is called "White Trinkets." I was working on some wall boxes and some thoughts about objects/charms/etc. About the desire to keep found bits of things and how they come into our lives. What they represent to us and how do they connect us to this earth, to each other and to the inner self. How collecting and the saving daily what-nots hold some untold tales or are simply amulets wanting to hide in a pocket and are magical in their finding. All this led to the thought of white boots, white mini-skirts, white birds and a tiny white pouch. From opened boxes to unexpected moments......
She's particularly nice with the sunlight drifting across her like that. I like her leaf hands, I have a wall box in the cabinet with a girt with leaf hands and feet. The boots and mini skirt remind me of my youth. Will she be hung from the wall? If you don't mind my asking what kind of mechanism do you use for hanging?
ReplyDeleteI went to Peet's coffee many times years ago. I used to live in San Pablo in the early 80s and SF in the late 70s.
Hello Linda---Yes, this is a wall piece. It is hard sometimes to see if it looks right until after the first firing. And I don't mind you asking, Linda...I love the sharing aspect and the interchange :-)
DeleteAs it is coil-built it is small and light, it only has a teardrop hole on the back. The larger wall pieces have rectangular openings. I make a wood or metal brackets to fit. The bracket is simply screwed into the wall. The piece slides over and hangs snug to the wall. The bracket is sold with the piece, too. Perhaps I do a post showing a back!
Isn't Mary Oliver inspirational! She can say so much and hit the nail on the head - everytime :)
ReplyDeleteYour groovy little girl is gorgeous. A little 'otherworldly mod chick'. Beautiful image of her looking toward the light. Nicely captured :)
Hello Vicki---
DeleteRight now this piece is in the kiln looking up and unconcerned about the impending fire!
I have a slim volume "Evidence" and another volume of selected works that I read over and over. Such a beautiful and literary voice, with a lively visual cadence that calms the my restive heart.
"I thought the earth remembered me, she took me back so tenderly...all night I heard the small kingdoms breathing...I had vanished at least a dozen times into something better" excerpted from "Sleeping in the Forest" by Mary Oliver
Thank you for stopping by, Vicki.....
Thanks so much, that is a unique way to hand with the wood bracket and has given me some ideas about how I can hang some of my pieces. Do you know worry that the pieces hanging on just a nail might be knocked against and swing and fall? Although, I guess if someone purchases a delicate piece they should put it where it can be protected.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Linda. As you well know this is earthquake country! I keep in mind what is sticking out and design adjust so it is easy for the collector to hang. The bracket or cleat keeps the piece firmly in place. I use wood cleats for larger pieces, some weighing 14 lbs and 28" long with great success. Until the pieces go to the galleries I hang them up so they are out of the way. They are actually safest on the wall!
DeleteWhat an awesome and beautiful representation of your thoughts: About the desire to keep found bits of things and how they come into our lives. What they represent～tales or are simply amulets wanting to hide in a pocket and are magical in their finding”. The eyes are magically profound. The girl is "looking up at the morning light"!! Reading this post, I was reminded of Tolkien's quote: "You can only come to the morning through the shadows"!!
ReplyDeleteI too think Mary Oliver's quote is very inspirational! Thank you so much for this lovely post!!
I love the quote from Tolkien! It touches on what I am doing at the moment---making some shadows for some wall pieces. Autumn is such a good season for shadow and light. Thank you for stopping by, sapphire........
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