The work creates the work is my mantra.
Well not really a mantra as I don’t fervently mutter it under my breath as I slave away in the studio smearing the sweat of hard won creations all over my brow.
It is just a knowing, a simple rule, a fact of my life.
The work creates its own energy and thus more work is created.
Recently, while having drinks together in Melbourne, Mrs Woog asked me to make a ceramic egg for her husbands birthday gift. Apparently we had already discussed this commission via email but for the life of me I couldn’t remember the emails. That line was the cue for any of you reading who I have promised work, to send me a reminder email as well. Sorry in advance for the delay.
Knowing that the egg had to be shipped to Sydney I didn’t want to make one of my handbuilt Dragon eggs as it would be akin to posting half a brick. If you have ever tried to post a brick to anyone, you will know that it is very,very expensive.
*image by Robin Roberts

In my studio practice, I handbuild, I use the wheel and I slip cast. I decided that the egg for Mrs Woog needed to be slipcast so as to be easily (and cheaply) shipped to Sydney.I had an egg mould here that I had made when I was still in the early planning stage for my sculpture display at ChauncyVale. I had only used this mould once or twice as I soon discovered that slipcast eggs were far too delicate to be left outside in the bush. In hindsight I now know that nearly all my eggs were too delicate to have been left in the bush.
So I made the ceramic egg to Mrs Woogs specifications and shipped it off to Sydney.
I have an exhibition coming up at the Off Centre Micro Gallery at the end of January. Eve Howard and I are working together with the theme of our exhibition to be The Albatross. We haven’t sorted out all the details yet, except for the dates. The joint exhibition runs for four weeks with the opening either on the 26th or 27th of January 2012.
The commission for Mrs Woog gave me a clear idea of the work that I need to make for my show with Eve Howard and these are the pieces I am working on.
*images taken with my HTC phone.


The work creates the work.
Thanks to Mrs Woog for the inspiration.