Welcome to A Hot Piece of Glass!

WELCOME to my colorful corner of the world! I write here about the things I make, in glass, fiber, metals, and whatever else I can find to play with!

**And if you want to read more about me, check out Adventures In Living!, my personal blog, or The ScooterMom, where I write about my adventures on two wheels! If you're interested in medieval, ancient and Renaissance glass, check out my history blog, The Medieval Glassworker!**

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Cruelest Month?

I actually think April is not so much the cruelest month, as August is. Or, maybe this particular August. It's too hot, the summer holidays are over, and school doesn't start for a month yet (around here, anyway). We have no real vacation planned, and the things there are on the schedule to look forward to don't come til the very end of the month.

I don't much feel like melting glass, and even the knowledge that I have a fairly large outdoor show coming up in six weeks isn't enough to motivate me. I *am* occasionally the Queen of Procrastination, though, so you can bet I'll be all in a tizzy come September, trying to get work made. Hopefully then it will be a lot less than 100 degrees so I can be really productive.

It's interesting to me that the older I get, the more I learn about myself and the way I work. I guess that is the point, right? To learn as we grow, even into adulthood? Good thing I'm at least paying *some* attention.

My Muse seems to be encouraging me to try different things lately. Right now, I am on a run of mixed-media work....painting, altering books, stamping, collage. I don't really know what the heck I am doing, which is fine, but I have some interesting visions in my head and I am trying to make them come alive. So far, so good.

I gessoed over a previous painting last night (just like the old Masters used to do!), and I am deciding how best to go about turning it into my vision for a 3-D mixed media work. Trees and women, and goddess symbols and mythology have been swimming around in my brain for some time, and I am slowly, slowly starting to turn the visions into actual work.

Oh, a picture would be nice, wouldn't it? Here is the start of my recent altered book. It has no title as yet.
The trees and star will all have a cover of paint and glitter (probably) to tone down some of their obvious plasticness.

Here's one of my favorite parts, in the beginning stages....a niche cut into a stack of glued-together pages:
I'll post some more pics after I get a few more pages done. I think this will be an ongoing project, like a journal, instead of an all-at-once thing. I'm finding, with painting, there's a lot of standing around waiting for stuff to dry, so it's really easy to get started on another project while you're waiting. I already did that. My next project-in-process is a set of altered tarot cards. They have been sanded (to rough up the plastic coating), and gessoed and had their backgrounds painted. I already know the plan for these, but I think I'll share when I have something to show.

Anyway, that is what I have been up to lately. I expect that the month of August will be a little light on blog posts -- well, maybe -- so I'll see you all soon!

*I'm so SO looking forward to ArtBliss in September! Gonna meet so many of my favorite online art jewelry buddies!

8 comments:

jessememan said...

Christine! You are so versatile :) I have wanting to try an "altered" project of some kind, but not sure where to start.

I can't wait until ArtBliss, either!

Unknown said...

"April is in my mistress' face, and July in her eyes hath place. Within her bosom is September, but in her heart a cold December."

Pretty Things said...

That is so cool! You sew, you lampwork, and now this! I'm in awe.

Aquariart said...

Christine, I wish I could go to art bliss with you. We seem to have so much in common. The itch to do so many different kinds of art and all at once. Thanks for sharing your work in progress it is really fun to see a persons progress on a project.
I just bought a cool little jewelry box at the Salvation army "Sally's Boutique" for a dollar yesterday. I am working on that, sanding today, need to finish a polymer lizard inspired by doing clay with my niece, and I have this doll idea using creamer containers screaming at me to get started. So many UFO"S in my studio I don't dare walk in today. I am happiest when I can do it all though!

Anonymous said...

You're such the talent, dahling! And anything with trees and goddesses is a good Muse to have :)

I love the colors you're using and am looking forward to the journey you make with this altered book.

Keep on keeping on!!

Unknown said...

Ditto that...August is the pits! It's SO hot! too much traffic to content with...and I too have a pretty big show to prepare for which is hard when the kids are home. But I'm with you...Can't wait for ArtBliss, and that just seems to make things SO much better!

Cindy said...

Christine....just look at you and those amazing altered projects!!! I'd love to explore more with art journaling but as always, there's just not enough time in a day! Looking forward to seeing more of your creations.
Cindy

Abracadebra Designs said...

Hi Christine,
I just discovered your blog and I like it. Good for you trying out different projects. Regarding August in VA - I lived in Norfolk for 5 years. Was in my last month of pregnancy in August. Boy, was I miserable... Shortly afterwards I moved back to MA where you can actually breathe in summertime ;)
-Debbie

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