CLAY ART - Susan Musi

On the way into studio, at the exit of expressway, beautiful red roses are blooming. :-)

The stroll is over. I was so tired by the end of the day, Sunday. An intense, busy few weeks.  There was a great turnout of people on both days, Mother Nature cooperated nicely, sunny and warm and there were plenty of sales. By the end of the two days, I have to admit I was "talked out", though I had some wonderful conversations, observations of my work and some sales too. I also continued to work on my "stone" series, wall pieces, have begun to "morph" into figures.  Though none of the pieces were for sale as yet, there was a good response to them.  So that is another good outcome of the weekend.  I have much to take care of at home, that was neglected.....but, I'm probably going to go to the studio today, the dustbunnies can wait.....my cats don't seem to mind them.

....starts today in Asheville NC River Arts District.  Most artists will have their studios open for public view of their work and for sale.  The past few weeks have been very intense at Odyssey, getting work finished, getting "bugs" worked out in the organization of the stroll, setting up gallery spaces.  It's a long two days in many ways...but a lot of fun, getting to talk to people about our work, and hopefully some sales too.  I was busy all day yesterday pricing/labelling/inventory...it is a very tedious task, well intense is a word I'd use, at least it is for me.  Mother Nature is working with us, this weekend's forecast temps in the 70s and sunny...couldn't ask for any better weather to bring people out to stroll the River Arts District, lunch at the cafe' and just have a wonderful time experiencing the creativity that abounds.

Much to do in trying to organize my studio space/display area to accommodate my work for upcoming stroll.  I did make 4 pedestals and also found a small free standing shelf at the local Goodwill store.  Still it's a challenge. Have to pick and choose, since it's such a limited amount of room. Additionally, all the work needs to be labeled and inventoried, additionally, I have signed up for a small kiln tomorrow, which I may have to cancel, IF I can't get the pieces  ready to be fired.  The River District Artists Studio Stroll is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. I'm hoping the weather will remain as it has been, i.e. WONDERFUL, meaning sunny and warm. Not to say that rain is BAD, just saying more people tend to come out when they are not sloshing through puddles, trying to find parking, etc. But as most things, it'll be whatever it is.  I'm glad there have been some changes made as to set up and responsibilities, "other than" selling your work, talking with people. Certainly, froma physical point of view, moving furniture and all of that...not this time :-).  I'm so glad, cuz I have some back problems, the source of which was discovered this past summer in a trip to the ER...anyway, I don't want to push my luck/aggravate the situation.  

November 1, a time change, the clock rolls back. And though I thought I actually "slept in" till 6, it was now 5 a.m. Internal clocks don't change with a click or a turn.

I've added two new pages to my gallery.  One is the "Rhythm of Life" painting series, I do have two more images to add to that.  They are about the energy of all things, that all is in constant movement, whether visible to the eye or not. They are about nature, spirit, wind, birds, land and sky and yes, humans.  These were done this past summer while in the U.P. of Michigan, where, in the wild, one is very aware of the rhythm of life itself, the death and dying, the rising up, the dance.   My second new gallery is  one of "clay works in progress", still the raw clay or greenware state, in process.  More to come on this new group of work....I have been pointed in a new direction, and will share that in later musings.   But to the "naming of things", and how this applies to objects made and the process of naming them once they are here.  This is not always an easy thing to do, and I wonder "is it necessary"? (next page please)

Continuing to work on the stonelike formations.The latest have changed to one large piece and one or two "top" pieces. They resemble monuments.  Since the bases are solid, do require some hollowing out to lighten and reduce the thickness, or, perhaps I need to change the construction to slabs.  The only real problem I see is the length of drying time. I don't think they will be finished by the time the November studio stroll.  Talks continue on some format changes for the stroll. The nature of Odyssey has changed, in that there are many more studio spaces being rented out, and just what the "set up" will be.  Most would like to remain in/near their own spaces.....I know that I would as I have made efforts to set up a small gallery space within, and have utilized the outside back wall to hang paintings, and set up some of my newly constructive pedestals.  The smaller ones, well I put kitty litter in plastic bags, sort of like sandbagging a river bank :-)  to make more stable.  The back wall has a base molding, so it presents a small issue of clearance...but I believe it will all work out.

I have been working more IN my studio,than in the common area, well a balance of both and it does feel good to have my own space after these several years as a "shelfie" as we endearingly called ourselves. (next page)

Continuing to explore the "stacking" of clay, balancing shapes..some trial/error situations where pieces did not hold together well. Using wooden sticks, not a good idea. The clay clings to them, but will separate at the joints, as the clay drys.  Not enough slip/slurry= separation, as some "joints" are barely touching.  I've kept the broken pieces with the idea that I will fire those as well, then stack them after being bisqued, and go from there.  Thoughts of finishing them range from smoke fired, to raku to a white slip/engobe surface.  But, time will tell, the pieces will speak.

Continue to work on my studio space, making pedestals for display.  What I found out in the last couple of days is the wonderful afternoon light that shines into the space. Ordinarily I am more aware of those fluoroscents (ugh), but there are two skylights on either side of my studio.  At a certain point in the afternoon, the light is a mixture of the "f" lights, and natural light, a sort of glowing of colors as it bounces off the forms or illuminates the true colors. Though I am a morning person, it is tempting to think of "reprogramming" myself, to come in later in the day....also, mornings have become more social than usual....and though I've often participated...I realize that for some people, and this sometimes includes me, need more quiet.  I've thought of getting an MP3 player...so I could hear the sounds I like. (next page)

Been busy getting studio space together, hanging paintings, dealing with household stuff....I've been in Asheville for about 2 weeks.....Tonight is the opening for the "Figuratively Speaking" show at Odyssey Studios.....I have 6 of my Elemental Beings in them, small, expressive figures of invented characters, or "beings" that just arrived on the scene, sort of unannounced and not anticipated.  Most of the other pieces in the show are fairly large...mine occupy two small shelves, but they have their own space amid the group of larger work of others in the show.

In an effort to get back in clay, took a ten pound chunk of clay, began to squeeze, smash, push, pull, cut, slice..these ended up  as stone stacks.  I've worked on four of them....two will have to be reassembled after firing as in my playing with the clay, I didn't slip and score them and there are some separations.  OR, I may just begin again and see where this expression takes me.  What I like, once again, is the many parts making up the whole. Actually, it's a similar expression in my paintings...the Rhythm of Life series....even though there is much energy in them, they read as a whole contained within the square canvas.   I do have some photos, in my camera, lol, that I've yet to download to put either here or in gallery section.  Also the show is set up in Michigan, for an upcoming studio stroll in Marquette...I did sell a couple of pieces over the weekend, and that is good news. 

Finally in Asheville. Been intense week with all the driving....dealing with heavy rain, fog, big trucks, lots of sites n' sounds, especially coming from a place of solitude and the sounds of birds, coyotes and other critters.  I was feeling so overwhelmed with all I had to do, but did get into new studio space and was surprised to see some work had been set up....as it turned out, I decided to bring some work I had in my Michigan studio, and ended up setting up a display of it in available space.  I still have to made labels/prices, etc.  but my mind just was functioning, or malfunctioning, on overload...an internalized "to do" list.  I ended up cancelling out on an evening with the "girls" and opted just to stay home, listen to music and have a little libation. :-)  Chillin' out, I guess you'd call it.  I had a nice visit with my friend in Ann Arbor, so much catching up after a year of not seeing each other...so, a little alone time felt good.  Some people are extroverts and thrive on the stimuli and others, like me, are more introverted and it's a challenge sometimes with alot of stimuli...I have to recharge my "social" batteries.

I'm headed to the studio today,  I still need to photo all my new paintings before I put them out.  Sometimes I think it's important...it is a bit more so now though because I have a website, and my work is "out there" in both Michigan and Asheville.  Sometimes I think well the work is there, and if sold, is on its journey and that is enough.

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It's been a busy week, not only trying to get things together, but dealing with bill paying, getting together with my friend Judy, picking apples, just stuff.  I've pretty much organized what I'll be taking from this studio to the one in Asheville, my 12 new paintings, paints, about 50# of clay, well a little more, I "texturized" a couple of pounds of raku, so that the surface would be pitted when fired.  I did work on clay this summer, two wall pieces and then two small, window like sculptures.  A few other pieces that  just didn't work out...so not to bother with them this time around.

I was contacted by the artistic coordinator at TheVertin Gallery in Calumet, quite a wonderful space in an historic building, and carrying a high quality of work. She asked me if I wanted to be represented there, and I agreed. My problem is timing, so it will have to wait until Spring...but I can build a body of clay work by then, I'm sure.  She hasn't seen my paintings, I think they would work there too, but I need to use my 35mm to take photos of them. The digital bends the image, distoring it imo.  I tried to find film in Marquette, but couldn't.  Ah, small town living.  Anyway. I'll do that when in Asheville.

I sold my Crow Guardian from my Elemental Beings series, that is a bit of good news as well.

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