Touching Art

Approaching The Zone

Lately I have been talking a lot about "The Zone". For me the Zone is a magical space/time of creativity when work flows from me, and I wonder: who made this? Things I never thought of show up, one piece inspires another and my hands do amazing things. It's an orgastic art binge that makes me neglect everything else in life. Usually a show deadline, or a kiln deadline will focus my energy and I ride the Zone till it stops. What stops it? Mounting the show. Going on a trip. Starting a job. Gardening season... I don't think I have ever worn a Zone out. The deadline cuts it off, usually in mid orgasm. That's why they call it a deadline I guess.

It's been a while since I was in the Zone. The last time I remember was in April when I finished the Galaxy Lover series. My summer was spent chasing a zone without catching up to it. (Except for Wednesday Naked Drawing. Some of those days were mini two-hour Zones.)

I spent days with silver clay, but I did not achieve my vision. I picked up porcelain many times, but nothing good happened. When it was time to load the anagama kiln, I had nothing to carry. I made some tiny pots anyway, which became Zone Seeds. I knew in my womb that connecting with the fire of that kiln and the other artists was necessary.

Since loading the kiln, I have made at least one porcelain object every day. Here are the ones I have kept. This is not the Zone yet, but I am cruising the on ramp, gaining speed.

 

I am curious about other Artists. What is the Zone for you? What puts you into it, and what takes you out of it? Leave a comment and tell me about your Zone. It's a public service to artists everywhere!

Work from Zones past:

One Body Silver pendant

Snake Medicine silver hollow bead pendant

Merqueen and Dolphin Series - Porcelain sculptured bowls

Anagama firing at Jody's

Yesterday was kiln opening day for Jody Johnstone's Anagama kiln in Swanville.  Several potters had work in the kiln, which is fired once in the fall and once in the spring. Here are some pictures I took in the late afternoon light, which give a feeling of the abundance of this kiln.

The kiln lives under a huge post and beam shed.

Jody and Betsy are unloading the back tier now.

These are some of Jody's pots. A lot of ware can fit in an anagama kiln. 

 

The pots are covered with ash, which must be cleaned. Under that ash is amazing surface effect.

These are my pots from this firing. I made some very small containers for herbs and spirit. I call these seed pots, because I haven't made very much work this summer. I have had a creative block. So these pots seed my creativity. They are Zone Seeds. Thank you Jody for letting me plant my seeds in your kiln.

PS Jody's Fall show and sale are November 28-29 at her studio.