Experimenting

I don't have any pictures to post yet. I just want to document my thoughts on my next venture. When I started blogging, almost 2 years ago, I viewed this as a way to journal my thoughts, processes, and artistic growth. It has become so much more than that and I am delighted beyond my wildest dreams that it has. Thank you, all of my artistic/blogging friends, for giving me that gift.

Last night I started work on a new design. I have several that have been 'floating' around in my head and knew I needed to get to work on them.

As I was talking with Dan this morning, we were laughing about my expectation that things should turn out perfect on my first attempts. The logical part of me knows that is unrealistic. And when experimenting with new ideas, I know I'm going to have failures until I figure out how things should be done. In spite of that knowledge, I still have this unrealistic expectation that it should just turn out right the first time. And this has become a source of humor in the Krucoff household, because that is just not how it works.

During the course of my experiments last night I had about 5 failures. Each one kept me thinking about how I could approach this. Since nothing was permanent yet, because I hadn't fused anything, I could wash off my glass and start over. I like that. And with each attempt, I was learning something. That's good, right? I finally reached the point where I needed to stop, back away from the glass, and leave the studio. Frustration was growing and I hit that point where I wasn't making any progress. I'm happy I realize that about myself and it does pay off to just leave the area and go do something else. That relaxes my brain and frees it with a diversion. Subconsciously my mind is working on the solution and it will bubble up to the surface.

The way my mind processes information, this morning as I got up, I think the solution came to me. It's a much easier approach than the ones I was trying last night, which is great! So I will try again tonight with my morning revelation. If successful, I'll have several 'experiments' to put in the kiln and see if these new designs are as nice as I envision them to be.

So what exactly am I working on? A few new things. One involves some graceful lines created with a combination of mica and frit. Another involves more of an arts & crafts look (I'm such a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright). And one of the last ones for this go round came from our Fall trip to Rocky Mountain National Park....of course, there are Aspen leaves involved with this one.

My question for each of you is, how realistic are you about your expected outcomes as you try something new? Do you find it takes a number of iterations before you get things the way you want? I think I know how some of you will answer. Yet, it helps me to grow as you generously share your thoughts about your process. Thanks!

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.

Autumn

Autumn

Don't the colors in this bowl remind you of fall and the trees changing? As you can see there is a heavy concentration of rusts and oranges in this piece. I left a little of the green just to give the impression that the tree leaves had not changed color completely. In this case one of my favorite Bullseye colors, Mineral Green, to represent the remaining leaves. And I added some Bullseye marzipan and amber streakie to represent a little of the tree bark...I'm thinking of Aspen bark.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the crisp cool air as summer fades. Aspens are one of my favorite trees. They generally turn a beautiful rich gold, but there are those rich russet ones that show up here and there as Dan & I find when we hike in the fall. I can't wait! This year we will hike Rocky Mountain National Park and I'll be looking for those rust colored Aspens, while the bull elks bugle in the background. I love fall.

Addendum: Photo credit ~ Daniel Krucoff