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The best way I have found to develop new pieces is to give myself a series with constraints. Projects that are wide open can almost be more difficult than projects with limitations that you have to dance around creatively. A small series is perfect, acting like little sketches to explore detail, color, and form. A specific lesson from one of my creative heroes, Ray Bradbury said- "once you are sitting down at your desk, studio, wherever you practice… don’t think!" That is a time for action. The thinking is done, time to move.
I tired this out in a very limited way in the holiday season. It created excitement for me when I'm in production mode, leading to new forms.
You can see how each one of these is trying a different type of sculpted detail by degrees. Forms come from the intertidal zone, flower forms, mushrooms, cactus and plants.I have a large bank of collected inspiration over the years that I'm diving into. My constraints will be (mostly) limiting the type of detail to be explored to one element. Limiting the main form to 6 or so pieces in a little bunch. I'll also be *attempting* to constrain my glazing to one main color with little accents.
This type of exploration allows me to pull the best of the bunch forward to more expressive pieces OR combine elements for completely new styles.
Of these little vases, just about all found homes! The last little vase in a summery rose colorway is still available. What they also did was lead me to several new styles! These were snapped up and many gifted from holiday events.
This piece above, led to this one below scaled up in more expressive way. Both sizes may make their way to my continued collection. They are so stunning.
This beauty very quickly found an enthusiastic home. It absolutely filled my heart the way this was snapped up!
I am deepening this series for my February release, just in time to start seeing blooms outside our windows! Expanding to wall vases and trying out a couple different earthy clays to see how they layer. I'll share along the way and give first peek to my Collector's Club subscribed to the Journal. SIGN UP HERE. But here's a peek of a few wall vases on the drying rack. I'm already so thrilled to keep going!
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I have so much in store for 2026 I feel I may burst. (And I have to say, it is thrilling to be in this place with my work again)
Great efforts require rest to keep going. Refill, refresh, calm. The rainforest is on another level, filling my dreams with layers, textures, life and death overlapping into eternity.
