October Blog Carnival

What skill would you like to learn and why?

What wouldn't I like to learn!  I've just been immersing myself in workshops, books, and forums to learn as much as I can.  I really wanted my mid 30's to mid 40's to be about learning.  Then I can get serious about my art.  To find a skill or technique that I really love and combine it with other skills to find a niche.

Oddly enough I too have always wanted to learn to weld.  Last year I asked for a mig welder and plasma cutter.  I think my dad and hubby thought I was kidding.  Most women ask for purses, shoes, jewelry, etc.  Not me...tools!  Give me tools!  I even had the electrician put in a box for the power.  Boy, talk about disappointment at Christmas!  There's a sculpture wall sadly needed in my backyard.  However, my family knows me all too well.  I got a slab roller two years ago for Christmas and have hardly ever used it.  I have grand plans though!  They thought the welding equipment would sit unused.  Boo hoo!  Try again next year.

I recently took a class with Keith Lo Bue and Michael de Meng.  I am drawn to recycled work, edgy work, something that tells a story and isn't just pretty.  Don't get me wrong...I luuvv pretty.  However, I am sentimental fool.  Tell me a story and I'm yours...captivated.  I'll buy it in a minute.  It means something.  I also like work that's controversial or makes you think.  It pulls, prods, or ejects a response, good or bad, from it's viewer.  Love that!  Art that makes you feel something other than pretty.  My work is going in that direction and I'm working on combining my work with other materials.

I am currently taking classes on the hydralic press and casting.  I squeeze them in between my own classes, work and piles of paperwork.  I'm sure I'm not alone in the jam-as-much-as-you-can theory of living.  I am always looking for the next educational opportunity.  I want to grow!  Between self help books, business books and workshops...you'd think I was trying to fix everything!  Nothing is broken...just wanting to be fed.  The urge to make a difference, to help others, to feel confident.  I love that.  I love being able to help others solve a problem...to teach.

What's your favorite technique and why?

I really love fire.  I love making glass beads, working in a hot kiln, soldering, etc.  It's exciting...makes the adrenaline flow.  I also love granulating.  I think for the same reason.  It's very cathartic placing the tiny granules (that's the anal side of me...type A!), playing with fire (that's the wild child in me), and then the adrenaline flows when you see whether they fused.  That ahhhh moment when you have success!  It's a great feeling!  Wooohooooo!  Let's play with fire :-)

Tomorrow I'm introducing my mom to wire work.  We are taking Connie Fox's workshop together.  Something fun to do with mom and I've been wanting to make a killer bracelet.  What fun!  Can't wait to show you what we make.  Gotta go pack my tools.  

Happy Halloween :-)  Not a single trick or treater again this year.  Good thing I didn't buy any candy!

   Tata for now!  Now go to your studio and play with fire :-)

Visit these other October Carnival Bloggers:

Marco Fleseri

Elaine Luther

Lorrene Davis

Comments

[Lorrene Davis]

How fun is this? Great blog.

[Angela]

Oh, my dream too, when in Fine arts was to go to a scrap-yard and get all those big rusty parts and make sculptures! Like yours, our garden has a spot for one too - who knows, maybe someday. Yes ! Give us tools any day !
Hey, and BTW, you already make a difference !