Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Long Strange Trip

Sometimes the lights all shining on me. Other times I can barely see. Lately it occurs to me what a long strange trip its been.



Oh, oh, how I know that dates me in such a really specific way. But the Grateful Dead were a part of my young adult years, so long ago. It never occurred to me until now how much that iconic song resonates with me right now. It's been a long 6 months and I can't even remember when I touched a piece of ceramic clay let alone fire it. But last Friday it seemed right. I brought back some old designs. I don't even know why I stopped making the Victorian pendants modeled from a lock from in my old home in Melbourne. It seemed the right place to start. It's one of the first designs I started with.


And then there is the lotus pattern I made based on an Indonesian batik stamp that I brought back from Australia. Again, I have no idea why I dropped this design from what I was making. I love that pattern. Maybe I just needed to reconnect to that particular design.



Then there are a few things that are a little bit new blended with the old. I've got a couple of new bead designs and a few new glazes that  are in the kiln right now. Just waiting for it to cool down enough for me to get in there and see what these experiments amount to. I never know when I commit things to the kiln. But it is always a voyage of discovery and usually a jumping off point to new things.

Thank you so much for all of your support especially over the last months. It means so much to me and I so regret that I haven't gotten back to each of you. But thank you all so much. It has truly made a difference in my life.


18 comments:

Lesley said...

It's great to see you back working with ceramic again LeAnn - I've missed those little birds! Looking forward to seeing the new designs finished too. Take care.

My Life Under the Bus said...

So happy to have you back - you are always in the back of my head and I am also glad to see you working again! XOXO

lunedreams said...

Oooh, ditto what Lesley said! I love your ceramic work, and miss seeing it! Two of my favorite beads ever are the two big lentils I got from you long ago in a Victorian scrollwork pattern and one with this sunflower pattern, in a lovely blue green glaze. They were like gems!!

Courtney Breul said...

Enjoy playing! Good to see you back here.

Anonymous said...

Terrific to have you back and creating, LeAnn.

Coffeefreek53 said...

Welcome back. So glad you are creating again.

LLYYNN - Lynn Davis said...

I'll just bet that getting your hands into the clay was like a breath of fresh air - all the old habits and knowing comes back so quickly when given a chance. I'm so happy you are able to be creative and enjoying the old and the new, both. Yay, clay!

Babs said...

It's great to hear your voice :) Glad your are feeling well enough to expend some creative energy - oh and I'm right here with you in the age department. I started humming the song the minute I read the title of your post!

windrock studio said...

Hey LeAnn, I love these designs of yours ~ I love that you have work in the kiln ~ I love hearing from you!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

So glad you are back and your creative juices are flowing again! Hope you had a wonderful visit with your family-I still keep you in my daily prayers!

Marie Cramp said...

Welcome back! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us!! <3

stregata said...

Glad to see that you have been able to get into the studio and work - a bright message on this rainy morning. Looking forward to seeing your new experiments.
Sending much love and prayers for your health and well-being.

Laura Twiford said...

Welcome back LeAnn! You're doing better than me, I think you and i had a conversation about a year ago about me getting back to clay and i still haven't gotten my hands muddy! I too really miss it, life just keeps getting in the way right now. Hopefully soon, until then i will have to live vicariously through you! have fun!

Barb Fernald said...

Nice to see you back LeAnn. xoxo

Jenny said...

The flip side of being in pain because a friend is having terrible troubles, is sharing the joy of a new day and a renewed life. Thanks for sharing with us!

Heather Powers said...

It's great to see you back in action LeAnn. Take care!

Lori P said...

LeAnn, so so happy to hear from you! Even happier to hear that you are beginning to get back into the swing. And I love the quote. :)

stacilouise said...

I am such a Dead Head myself, don't think I ever gave it up. Great song, and it has spoken to me often in life, which really is a long strange trip!