Slate and Chalk

Today is the first time I've been in the studio for over a week. The office relocations are almost, very nearly done. I don't have to go into the office this weekend. What a relief! Combining two offices into one involves a lot of things you just never think about. Doubles of things, and things missing. It's a challenge, and never boring!


This morning the weather is cool and mild, so I opened up the studio and started playing around, nothing definite in mind, trying to warm up the hands and brain to a creative session.


These pieces are blanks, ready for color and patina. If you've ever wondered how things sometimes start, this will give you a little bit of an idea. It starts with shapes, ornamental designs or textures, in a chalky white or ebony slate black. A clear slate, so to speak.


After they are shaped and sanded and ready it's time to play with color. I don't always know how they will be colored when I start. I dab and wipe, sand and polish, until they get an aged and worn look that I like.

So you can see some dark beauties, and some white chalky or glimmery ones, before I start squeezing the color out of the tubes and take a brush in hand, to have some fun with color.