|
Earlier in the year after I excitedly discovered I could easily take up ceramics again - at the Central Coast Potters' Society - I picked up a book from my bookshelf. Flicking through "I Shock Myself - The Autobiography of Beatrice Wood" I was once again inspired by her incredible life. Here's an excerpt from the dust jacket. "rebellious, radical and romantic, Beatrice Wood was determined to be an artist. She fled to Paris for several bohemian seasons as a painter and actress, then returned to New York, where she fell into the loving clutches of two Frenchmen: Henri-Pierre Roche´, the author of Jules and Jim, and Marcel Duchamp, the iconoclastic Dadaist. .. in 1933, at the age of forty, she discovered the passion that would change her life: pottery."  Beatrice Wood Photo by Tony Cunha http://www.beatricewood.com/ I have often thought of this amazing woman since I purchased this book in the early 90's. Still potting until her death in 1998 at age 105, her work and life captured my imagination. On returning to the "Beatrice Wood Centre for the Arts" website for the first time in 10 years, I discovered Angela de Mott who was awarded a residency in Beatrice Wood's studio in 2007. The beautifully graceful forms of her hand built pots grabbed my attention, along with the incredible lustre glazes and results of raku firing. A future trip to Ohio is definitely in my mind! In her own words, "I combine elements of both Raku and luster firing to achieve a more organic and earthy quality to the surface. It speaks to me of the marvelous nature of the elements". (http://www.angelademott.com/luster.htm)  Large Raku Vessel, Raku-fired earthenware, 6.5 x 15 x 13 " Collection of Alfreda and Sam Maloof Foundation Photograph by Anthony Cunha http://www.angelademott.com/index.html
0 Comments
I've so much interesting information to put up, so over the next few weeks I'll gradually post a progression of my work to date & what's led to where I am now. I'll start by a quick entry on a week-long TAFTA workshop I attended in April this year. Eco Dyeing with India Flint! It was FANTASTIC, one of the best workshops I've taken part in through TAFTA. India is a wonderful tutor & every day brought something new & exciting to learn & experience. We came away with many beautifully, naturally dyed items - all completed so simply using boiling water & predominantly eucalyptus leaves! For those wishing to dive deep into this earth friendly, wonderfully relaxing, stress free & very exciting method of dyeing, I recommend India's books, "Eco Colour" & the just released "Second Skin". The later should have arrived at my doorstep by now but alas it must be walking here. Here are a few images from the workshop mentioned. I have warm memories of this workshop when I look at these images. |
Kylie Rose McLean
I love creating, turning my ideas into reality, being challenged, and immersed in realising an idea. In these moments I am absorbed, inspired and wrapped in my own world. It's wonderful! Archives
August 2015
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
