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| Julie caught batting her toys around...
Julie likes to twist around on the counter batting toys all over the kitchen. She was in the mist of this when I took her picture...
She also wants all her toys up on her pad at night before she goes to bed (but we find them dispersed all over the kitchen by morning).
And I'm back into the pottery scene... at the studio I'm working on throwing on the wheel more consistently. Decided to do lots of large mugs and handles... a few bowls, and trays, etc. At home I'm back to my little chickens... and I'd love to do a big rooster for my table, so I'm working on a small one to see how it's done. It isn't great, but it gives me an idea. And this morning I came up with a new design to try for my chickens... a little more rounded and stream-lined.
These are just more paper clay chickens with one coat of red under-glaze. They still need 2 more coats of under-glaze and firing, then I'll use a black-bird stain to make them look more antique.
Here is my first attempt at hand-building a rooster. He really challenged me as his clay legs can't hold up the heavy body... so you have to create a stand for him (with legs) and then attach the 2 parts so that it goes together fairly well. and there are so many ways to do the tail and feathering. I'm not overly happy with this tail, but it will work for a first try. And once he's under-glazed with all the rooster coloring, I think he'll look OK.
And this is my little fat rounded chicken with a heart on his front.
He'll look better once he gets his spots and coloring. But I think he's kind of cute.
OK, that's about the news around here. I did make a batch of home-made granola this morning. Hadn't made any in a while, so DH is happy.
Oh, one of the things on my wish list... (a list of things we need or want to do sometime in the future) is to extend our front porch and add shutters to our front windows. Right now the front porch is just a small step up.
You can't tell much from this, but it's the only pic I could find that shows part of the porch as it is now. This next pic is one of a house I like that its "similar" to ours, but much bigger. However, it has the porch and window shutters that I want to add to ours.
 
I'd like to be able to sit out front in the evening... (when the weather is good).
Have a wonderful week! And for those interested, Tux is still doing fine... despite his recent prognosis.
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This blog is meant to be a documentation of our journey into the world of retirement. I know the title should be "Older, but wiser". However, I really didn't know if that would be accurate. The "Older, but better...?" title could also be misleading. The 5 cats in the above pics are: Molly, Rose, Tux, Julie, and Ghost. (I have tried to make this collage smaller, but with no luck...)
I love your little chickens! Mr. Rooster looks pretty awesome too. I look forward to seeing him all painted and glazed.
ReplyDeleteHow did you get interested in pottery? Have you always had an artistic bent? I remember having a chance to use the pottery wheel in high school but all I seemed to end up with was a messed up lump of clay.
Have a great week!
Hi! You know, it's strange. I've always liked creative endeavors; writing, sketching, watercolor, photography. But it was only a few years ago (and I'm 71)that I felt the need to learn how to throw on the pottery wheel. So I started taking classes at our local community college. I'm not much of a hand-builder... but I do like to sculpt little animals. As for the wheel, it can get a bit messy.
DeleteJulie is so cute. :-)
ReplyDeletePurrs from the boys to Tux; it's good to read he's doing well.
As for your chickens and the rooster: I think they're amazing! They look terrific!
Hi Kim! Thanks for the encouragement with my little clay animals. As for Tux, he is acting like his ol' self again. We are pleased.
DeleteI love the job your are doing with the chickens!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne. I like sculpting other little critters, but for some reason chickens are just fun...
DeleteI really like your clay creations. You're a talented lady. The porch is beautiful and would look perfect on your home. Glad to hear Tux is better. We don't want our cats in bad health...it's much too upsetting. Sending a hug, Deb
ReplyDeleteI love the porch too. Hope it becomes a reality one day. As for Tux, we may be in denial, but he seems fine. Thanks for the hug.
DeleteI like your pottery, and the rooster is coming along just fine. I also love to have a porch to sit in the shade, so I understand your desire to add one to your own lovely home. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis rooster is a test model. Pray that he comes through the kiln in one piece. As for the porch, it would be nice. I think it would be very useful in our old age and add to the value of the house...
DeleteThe rooster looks good. Having a porch to relax in is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John. I would love a wrap around porch, but the house isn't made for that.
Deletegreat work on the chickens & the rooster! am sure they will look wonderful once all their trimmings are on...
ReplyDeletei would love to have a veranda on my house & one day that will be a reality, to sit in the shade of the veranda & knit, read or just drink chilled homemade lemonade.
love the 2nd house there, is it an old style house? you should probably take more photos of your place so you have the befores & afters which is always a good thing, i think. keep us posted on what you get done
thanx for sharing
Yes, I do plan to take more photos to how extending the porch and adding the shutters would look. And I have lots of time (I hope) as we certainly can't do it anytime soon.
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