More than half way through my residency in this wonderful setting – and I am feeling a sense of urgency that I am not getting work completed the way I would like to – even though I didn’t come here with the idea of completing lots of work! Such is the human condition – at least mine. I am learning so much, but not finishing or completing work of a calibre I think I should be or am capable of. But why would I think that after not doing much work for such a long while, that I would be able to slip into the creative groove so readily? I know that doing pieces that are worthwhile with a sense of longevity and purpose takes time. I have every reason to believe that nothing but good for my work will come out of this process but I need to be persistent and courageous.

Visiting Artists

Added to the mix of about 19 students taking a mold making course from the Western University of Hungary in Sopron for two weeks, are the visiting artists. Of course there’s Debra and myself and I mentioned Margaret Haydon earlier, artist and Associate Professor from the University of Wyoming. Recent additions include Betul Aytepe , ceramics instructor from Turkey, and Kazu Kukita from Japan who is looking for a studio space “somewhere in the world”. There is lots to say about these two young energetic artists who share studio space and represent the new wave of ceramic artists with their conceptual ideas and clean lines in their work. I admire their approaches and the difference in ways of working from those of us who are more “mature” artists and the differences provide much food for thought and disucssion. The ability to talk with different artists about their approaches and having the time to exlplore/work through ideas is one of the gifts or pleasures of working here.

Our Salt Firing

Well, we are finally doing a salt firing this week. It has taken us this long to get some work together as the kiln is huge and Margaret’s large sturgeon sculptures needed to dry slowly to ensure they get through without cracking or breaking. The three of us will be assisted by Jakob and lots of the local good junk food and most likely beer and some palinka… more to follow.