Arcadia Falls

Over the holidays I had a chance to read the novel "Arcadia Falls". I read it in a day and I really enjoyed it. My only complaint was that it got wrapped up rather quick in the end and it was hard to follow the confusing details. One this that I liked about it was that it was based on a small art school and former artist colony. The question was asked throughout the book as to whether, in the case of a woman, getting married and having children means the end of a woman's art career. Sadly this is often the case. Let's face it. If you have the responsibilities of a family and a home it leaves little time for yourself. I experience this on a daily basis. For instance, I would love to spend the next week being creative, but instead I find myself cleaning and doing laundry. I know that someone has to do these things, and I would be doing them whether I had a family or not. It's just theres so many things now that have to compete for my attention. Would I give up my children to be a full time, dedicated artist? No. However, I still long for the days when my only responsibility was myself. I still dream about living in New York with a loft studio. I still harbour many of the same dreams I used to have. However, with age and responsibility comes another thing called realism. Bills have to be paid, suppers have to be made, weekends are spent in hockey rinks. Maybe I have sold out, but I do the best I can. I teach art full time, I knit or draw at the hockey rink, I read whatever I can on the subject. And really, does being a successful artist mean you have to be featured in magazines and the recipient of large amounts of money and prestige, or does it mean you find ways to express yourself in many aspects of your daily life? Something to think about.

New Marionette Head

Just a quick post to show you the latest porcelain head for my next marionette. She is painted with underglaze and a commercial clear glaze, then fired to cone 6. The only drawback to using porcelain is it is extremely breakable, as I have already found out when I smashed a hand and a foot on my last creation. Can't wait to get a chance to work on the rest of her.

Countdown is on!!!

Only 2 days left of teaching until the Christmas break, not that there is a lot of learning going on in the days leading up until Christmas. I'm not just looking forward to eating, sleeping and santa, but also to a few days to work on my marionettes. They've been stalled for the last month due to all the xmas preparations that inevitably get dumped into the lap of the resident woman. I managed to get 3 porcelain heads made but only painted and glazed one, as I haven't decided what to do with the other two. Most of my time has been spent madly knitting two adult sweaters. As always I left it until the last possible moment. I hope to get some time as well over the holidays to talk about the second marionette I created from wool and silk. Unfortunately there won't be much creating going on over the second week after xmas (Jan 1-8) as I will be taking my two boys and husband to Disneyworld in Orlando. I really hope we have fun, because I am only planning on doing that once. Part of me wonders what the hell I am thinking going to the pinnacle of commercialism in North America during the busiest time of the year. Long lines, screaming children, and overeating are sure to await me. However, in a weak moment I decided that this may be the last family trip we can take that includes my oldest, as he is in the forces and his second year of university. Taking family vacations will not be high on his list of priorities. I also wanted someplace fun, warm, and with something for everyone. Let's hope I made a good choice, and that the weather cooperates.

In the meantime, I made the nicest porcelain teapot, hand carved and wheel thrown, that I have ever made. However, as fate would have it, it did not survive the first firing in the kiln and came out in pieces. I scrambled to make another and it is about half the size and not as nice, but it did survive and it needs to be under someone's Christmas tree in two days. I have included a shot since I know the recipient does not read my blog.