Today I have too many words on too many topics inside my head. I have been writing since 6.30 am and my eyes are grainy from three hours of computer time. I have started and put aside, three separate blog posts, one is a tutorial for the mummybloggers blog, and the other two are just random posts about everyday stuff.
This is post number four, this morning.
There was a super heavy frost last night so it is too cold to go up to the studio, I did actually go up to the studio but I soon scurried back down to the warmth of the house.
The clay is taking forever to dry out in this cold weather, so work has been slow. I threw some plates on Saturday morning and I wasn’t able to turn them until yesterday afternoon and even then they were still a touch soft. I have a zillion projects on the go but working with icy cold clay is not my idea of the most fun thing to do on a frosty winter morning.
So in lieu of work, here are some photos of my studio that I promised to show a filmaking friend of mine. If you have some time on your hands, David would appreciate a vote or two for his ice fishing film. Even if you don’t want to vote, his films are lovely and will make you smile, David’s enthusiasm is contagious and I could think of worse ways to spend a morning.
Here is a photographic tour of my studio. I am showing you images clockwise around the studio from the front entrance.
The electric kiln is on the left, the gas kiln is on the right, clay and boxes of kiln props that need a better storage solution are on the far right.
These are all my glaze ingredients on the shelves as well as in the bins. Bags of clay,freshly painted plinths for the Off Centre Micro Gallery, a stack of kiln shelves as well as a frog cupboard that needs restoring.
I am standing in the corner now and all the stuff in the previous image is on my right. This is a movable trolley on which I place ware boards of my work to finish drying out before I fire it.
I didnt realise how much I had missed being able to paint on the walls, until I was standing at the laundry trough with a paint roller in my hand.
Here is my wheel, squeezed into the space between my desk and the washing machine. This works as a temporary measure for the moment. The spouse has to organise me a zillion more shelves, so that I can make a permanent space, somewhere else for the wheel.
We are now standing opposite the kilns, if you look to the far left of the photo you can see the washing machine and desk. The large white table on the left is my main work table. Once I have finished with a piece I move it onto my Nan’s old green kitchen table until it dries out enough to be placed on the drying rack out of the way. The large pink and black bowl you can see in the foreground is one that I am working on for Veronica’s wedding. If it survives the drying out process, I will make another six or so and that should be enough for the salads at her wedding, fingers crossed.
Feel free to ask me any questions that you like. For the neat freaks out there, the studio really isn’t as chaotic as it looks.
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WOW WOW WOW. It’s so wonderful! I can just imagine all the creative stuff you are going to be making. Dish sets, wind chimes, dragon eggs, OH so many wonderful and lovely things that will emerge from that studio. I’m so glad you shared this tour with me. God bless you and I know I’ve said this before, but what a precious gift from your Mum. 🙂
Thanks for understanding 🙂 it was so hard building the studio. I really felt like I was spending the ashes of Mum’s life. Thanks for holding my hand all the way through this process. :)x
Think of it as your Mum taking a lovely trip but leaving her luggage behind. Unpack, delight and enjoy in all those things she doesn’t need any more. I hope this blesses you for many, many years. 🙂
Thank you Mrs C 🙂
Oh wow. That looks amazing. And you are right – my flying frog IS closely related to your frog. A smaller cousin perhaps? That bowl looks great too.
The bowl has taken three days so far. It is a very slow process. My frog doesnt have any hands or feet so I am going to make some clay ones for it.
so nice to see where you do your creating!!!!
hugs
Thanks Pixie, I am going to start work on your cups very soon. I have been procrastinating a bit because I have to clean off the slipcasting table. (slack I know)
Wow Kim! What a wonderful, creative space. The kiln looks amazing. I would love to have a space like that. I’m not sure what i would do with it but still. P.S I love painting on walls too. Much to Dave’s dismay.
I used to paint the carpet a lot as well. That stopped when I smashed my knee in 1993 and couldn’t get down onto the floor anymore. Maybe I should just attach a paintbrush to a broom handle. hmmm. I wonder if I can send the spouse away for a few days 😉
Thumbs up, that’s all I have to say. It looks like a great space.
It is. I don’t have any excuses for not producing any work now. I will start work on your cups today. :)x
Your Mum would be so happy and proud that she was able to give you this opportunity to create in a purpose built space Kim. The only ashes you should think of are the ones allowing the phoenix to rise.
Re painting on the walls, could you not ask the spouse (when funds permit of course) to fix a few sheets of gyprock to part of the studio?
Bloody cold here today too, currently 12C which doesn’t look as though it will manage the crawl up to the forecast high of 14C!
I had been wanting a sheet of perspex for the kids to paint on but wall space is at a premium in the studio Sharon and I didn’t get around to it. I can hear Mum saying, “get to work Kimmy” and I have been making some good stuff. I need to be a bit more organised with my time and get cracking on your cups, you have waited long enough for them 🙂
Kim, that looks just like a place I’d love to have a good poke around in. So many things there to see! And one of Amy’s paintings on the wall too. It’s a great studio.
Best start saving for a trip to Tassie then River.
Wow. What an amazing space. I’d like to come and poke around in it – pictures aren’t enough!
I will repeat what I said to River 🙂 Best start saving for a trip to Tassie then Barb
That’ll teach me not to read everyone elses comments first!!
I’m hoping to win the lottery. Preferably before November.
We can hope together 🙂 V is going to live stream the wedding. I buy a lottery ticket every week, The Spouse grumbles at me about it lol and tells me that if I saved the ticket money etc etc etc.
Crumbs though, how many weeks lottery would you have to not buy before you’d saved the airfare? I mean, I can understand his point but the lottery gives you added hope.
I love your space. I wish I had one for my photography stuff. It’s beautiful Kim.
I was very frustrated when I didn’t have anywhere to work, Mena. Even when I had set up a mini studio in the kitchen it was a difficult space to work in. I desperately need more shelves in my studio but it is a very good space.
Love it!! Next on the list… a video tour! 😉 x
I actually was filming up there yesterday. I will review the vision and then start work on a proper video tour. Great minds Marylin, great minds.
Your studio resembles my hubs’s studio. He makes ceramics too. Only your studio is much larger. He’d love to have a space like yours. He has about the same amount of stuff that you have in your studio in his. I’m scared to open the door of his studio 😉
Did you see the ceramic horse on the desk Carolina? That is the one I want to repair and then use as a model for some ceramic horses. I need more horse photos of movement. I will email you soon 🙂
Very cool spot you’ve got there. LOVE the kids painting on the wall 🙂
Thanks Jenty 🙂 I have another painting I need to stick up on the wall as well. The 4 y/o daughter of a blog friend did a frog on a lilypad for me. I love kids paintings they make me smile.
It looks wonderful! What a great space to work in. I’d love to see how the bowls for Veronica’s wedding turn out.
I will post photos of them as I go then. I haven’t made bowls that large before so the potential for disaster is high. I will keep you posted 🙂
Love it! I saw the pix on my phone this morning, which didn’t give me a feel for it. It looks like a wonderful space. I love the wedding bowl, that’s gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing how they turn out.
And painting on the walls, well I’ve started doing that in my space too. All I have to paint on is the back of a bookcase that I turned around to create my space, but I decided every time I paint something, I’m going to use all the left over paint on the cupboard back instead of washing it away. So far I have a blue smudge 🙂
I like to read comments but there are so many these days. Have you changed your font?
I noticed one of the grandchildren have already left their mark, I love childrens art.
It all looks so very professional, a proper real studio. I hope it has a name above the door.
It sounds as though you could do with a wood burner, for those days when you have to create and its cold.
Your mum, will be looking down and clapping I think. With joy. I have been waiting very patiently, and as you know I am not patient by nature, I look as though I am but I am not. So I am very very pleased to see these pictures finally.
I love it that you are making bowls for The Wedding. Are you going to put rugs on the floor and an easy chair for those times when you need to sit and contemplate. I’d like to see an easel (forgive me if I have missed it) for those times you fancy sketching.
I am so very pleased that finally you have a personal space where you can be you, to go to and leave when you want to. Eventually I fully expect visitors (oh I meant to say customers) to find you, where they can buy or comission. I suppose thats why I want a placque *I can’t spell that over the door. Something that shows its you, with a subtle rememberance to your mum. But I can be a little soppy like that. All in all my dear internet friend, I hope you are very very very proud of yourself. I can’t sleeep tonight and there was a reason for this elst I would not have clicked on this and seen The Studio in all its glory. Its FANTASTIC.
I saw the horse. Didn’t see it the first time, but now I’ve searched for it… and found it! So okay, let me know what you need and I’ll try to provide you with the photos 😉
I did spot the grey pedestals the first time though (hard to miss). I guess they are for the gallery/shop?
Yes they are for the gallery 🙂 I will let you know about the horse photos, once I have had a proper think about it. 🙂
It is fabulous.
I would love a space like this.
You deserve it, and she would be some damn proud of you.