In the beginning

We are beginning a New Year. Artists are always beginning. Beginning a new year is like staring at a blank canvas or a ton of clay. It is full of possiblilities, adventures,changes, new friends, old friends, mistakes, gravel roads, and dead ends. A dead end doesn't mean there is no way out. Stop, rest up, regroup and be inspired to turn around in search of another road full of possibilities that leads you further on your life's path. I know of no other art form that can serve up so many disappointments as pottery. Just when ya think you got the process dialed in the sun comes up and kicks ya in the ass. I'm kinda excited about these canvases I am preparing. Shino loves iron so I lay down a laterite wash and a bit of cobalt and iron. Top that all off with a shino glaze and then I get to pretend I can paint. I have to give thanks to my old buddy Robin "Grasshopper" Hopper for encouraging me to pick up a brush. What you don't do well is what you should spend the most time at and secondly look longest at what you think you don't like. It is from that you will learn the most. As long as you follow "the shino first or be cursed rule" you can lay down other coloured glazes and oxides over the shino. It is much easier to do brushwork on a plate than a vertical form. My horoscope for 2023 The Year of the Rabbit which is me says pink is a lucky colour for me this year. Since I love pink I'm all over it. I pinked up my interior shino with 3% red stain. Well wish me luck and I wish you all the luck in the world. It's your canvas and you should make it as interesting as you dare. So I'll leave with that thought "I dare ya!" Happy New Year.