Lucie

I am now the proud adopter of Lucie the tearaway terrier. Playful, friendly, good with other dogs and children. Like a bullet after a ball and brings it back, mostly. Prey mad though!

Gentle Art

"Mrs  Richard Yates" (detail), Gilbert Stuart 1793

Hand stitching looks such a gentle art. 

Done with skill it can create rich decoration, 3d forms and invisible bonds. 

I've always loved textiles and fabric crafts but often lacked the patience required for good hand sewing.

 My body tense, fingers sweating, stitches tight and far from invisible. 

As with any craft, of course, the secret lies in learning the appropriate techniques

 and using the right materials and tools for the job. My number one favourite thing is learning new skills - or learning just how to do something well.  

I love to see the hand of the artist like here in the beautiful brush strokes and tones of this

 detail from a Gilbert Stuart painting.

Soft reflective sheen from the silk dress and cloth. 

Dexterous, elegant fingers working in fine detail. 

The full portrait of Mrs Yates is not very flattering, however.

I don't think the 18th &19th century fashion for frilly bonnets did mature ladies any favours.

A source of much enjoyment for Rodney Pike in his not-so-gentle art.

Inspiring Path

Via Pinterest

Some lovely shapes in this path. 

This would be a good way to develop my garden path, 

adding to my ceramic "stepping stones".

On the look out for (more) interesting junk to bring home : ) 

Festive Frolics

Have a fun Christmas!
Lots of love
Patricia G

Lovin' it

The sun shines on and warm weather continues

 so I can do some of my work sitting in the garden.

While others enjoy the facilities too.

Nice here isn't it!





Clay in the garden



Chamomile and thyme grow between slabs and creep over the edges.

 

Stoneware fired with oxides - needs more colour.



 

Bluebird, I think this will go in the kiln again to add more colour.



The path, and indeed the whole garden, is a work in progress

 so these slabs are scattered around.

 There's an owl somewhere too.

Chillin'

Roofs Summer Night, John Sloan 1906

The heatwave here has been a wonderful change from the summer weather of recent years.

Kids camped out in the garden and all windows wide open.

 Brings neighbours closer

 - not as close as this NY scene though.

Neglect and Malfunctions



Nature takes over a Warwickshire underpass.

I feel up to blogging again but after so long

 blogger seems to be playing up a little.

Here's hoping my posts appear as planned.



Green is Good for You



A walk along the river from Youlgreave, Derbyshire in May.





Hidden Microvoids

 Low winter sunlight reflecting off the glazed surface of an old ceramic bowl

 creates patterns on my wall.

These reflections illustrate the crazing in the glaze that isn't visible on the pot without close inspection.



Big Sky Walk

Innocent clouds reflect in puddles.

Hedges stretch their tendrils.

Sheep munch their way through acres of brussels sprouts.

Mud threatens to slip us up if not suck us down,

but the sun shines all day : ).



Porcelain Bowl

I made this little porcelain bowl for my sister.  

 

I am really pleased with the colouring on the inside and just little sprigs of decoration on the outside.

No glazes, just coloured slips rubbed into the textured and carved surfaces.



Painting on Porcelain

Now that Christmas gifts have been exchanged and enjoyed I can show these mugs I decorated for my nieces.

Encouraged by Clive's enamelware I used Marabu porcelain paints.   

Combined with an enamel coffee pot stacked with chocolate and marshmallows - yum!

The paints are quite thick and the curved, shiny surface was a challenge, but I got the hang of it - after cleaning off and restarting a few times. I'm not confident about the claim that the colour will be dishwasher safe. I think they're best used for items that don't get a lot of wear and tear. 

A nice way to personalise a gift though.

Porcelain Tiles

For decoration only!

Have Fun!

Merry Christmas

and all the best for

2013

Patricia G

x