I have been a busy bee! In the studio every day this week, on the glass, in the mix! What a rollercoaster let me tell you... the highs, the lows and the inbetweens! I think though that all in all, it has been a fantastic experience and I am already looking forward to next week. It is just such an amazing opportunity to be making every day and i am extremely grateful for this chance to work with the Jam again.
So let me break it down for ya... the first few sessions were ridiculously productive! I couldn't believe that by the end of session 2, it looked just like my drawing!! Amazing. But wait, don't get too excited, then I hit a wall and couldn't seem to replicate it. It made no sense, I did'nt know what i was doing wrong and it was messing with my head.
The next session I decided to throw some colour in the mix and really had the same problem. I had no choice but to push through. During prototyping my own work I was also working with the associates on their own work and working for Ruth in the evenings. To say I was tired was an understatement. Mentally and physically exhausted. Thursday night had me laughing uncontrollably, borderline hysterically because I saw a mouse 'amble' through the living room... can you detect my state of mind?
So lets face it, it was the end of the week and I really didn't hold much faith in Friday's session. But there I was. So I did what any respectable artist would do, I steeled my nerves, chugged a red bull and had a shot of cement. In other words I told myself to harden the flip up and get on with the job. You know what it worked. By the end of the session I got the illusive perfect pop.
As you can see with these vessels there is an extra mouth. To achieve this I make the shape, transfer to punty then spot heat and pop the bub with the sophie externally. The problem with this is that it is so unpredictable. Somehow I had to learn and find the common thread, find the pattern in the random so to speak. It's a fine line of understanding the material, alowing t to do what it wants to do, but having the foresight to control it. You control the glass, not the other way round.
And there it is. Glass blowing never ceases to amaze me. You can be totally prepared, mentally and physically then have the worst session of your life and wonder what the hell happened t all that intensive training you went through. Then the next instance, you can be at the end of your tether, body hurting, exhaustion setting in, resorting to energy drinks to keep your eyes open, and bam! You nail it. Amazing.
I have really enjoyed working with the associates too. Each of them is so different and is trying to attain different things. It's great. I get to talk about everything from design to manufacture, we nut things out, we help each other out.
At the moment I am very happy with where the work is heading, and feel that my skill level is getting better everyday. I go to bed thinking about what I will make the next day and keep myself awake thinking about the possibilities! Get some sleep already!!
Lookit, these two are taking to each other. The tall needs the small to survive. An impractical design or criminal genius? You be the judge.. x
I have been a busy bee! In the studio every day this week, on the glass, in the mix! What a rollercoaster let me tell you... the highs, the lows and the inbetweens! I think though that all in all, it has been a fantastic experience and I am already looking forward to next week. It is just such an amazing opportunity to be making every day and i am extremely grateful for this chance to work with the Jam again.
So let me break it down for ya... the first few sessions were ridiculously productive! I couldn't believe that by the end of session 2, it looked just like my drawing!! Amazing. But wait, don't get too excited, then I hit a wall and couldn't seem to replicate it. It made no sense, I did'nt know what i was doing wrong and it was messing with my head. 
The next session I decided to throw some colour in the mix and really had the same problem. I had no choice but to push through. During prototyping my own work I was also working with the associates on their own work and working for Ruth in the evenings. To say I was tired was an understatement. Mentally and physically exhausted. Thursday night had me laughing uncontrollably, borderline hysterically because I saw a mouse 'amble' through the living room... can you detect my state of mind?
So lets face it, it was the end of the week and I really didn't hold much faith in Friday's session. But there I was. So I did what any respectable artist would do, I steeled my nerves, chugged a red bull and had a shot of cement. In other words I told myself to harden the flip up and get on with the job. You know what it worked. By the end of the session I got the illusive perfect pop.
As you can see with these vessels there is an extra mouth. To achieve this I make the shape, transfer to punty then spot heat and pop the bub with the sophie externally. The problem with this is that it is so unpredictable. Somehow I had to learn and find the common thread, find the pattern in the random so to speak. It's a fine line of understanding the material, alowing t to do what it wants to do, but having the foresight to control it. You control the glass, not the other way round.
And there it is. Glass blowing never ceases to amaze me. You can be totally prepared, mentally and physically then have the worst session of your life and wonder what the hell happened t all that intensive training you went through. Then the next instance, you can be at the end of your tether, body hurting, exhaustion setting in, resorting to energy drinks to keep your eyes open, and bam! You nail it. Amazing.
I have really enjoyed working with the associates too. Each of them is so different and is trying to attain different things. It's great. I get to talk about everything from design to manufacture, we nut things out, we help each other out.
At the moment I am very happy with where the work is heading, and feel that my skill level is getting better everyday. I go to bed thinking about what I will make the next day and keep myself awake thinking about the possibilities! Get some sleep already!!
Lookit, these two are taking to each other. The tall needs the small to survive. An impractical design or criminal genius? You be the judge.. x
brilliant :)
ReplyDeleteM x
Hi I'm a long time reader first time poster. Just wanted to say great blog and keep up the good work. :P
ReplyDeleteLoved reaading this thanks
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