Arthur Dove is and has been and will be an inspiration. He took a lot of risks in his life and his art and somehow managed to always make work that rings true. I'm thinking about Dove and Dow and Homer a lot lately. These men who wanted and needed to paint, found their place ( Geneva, Ipswich, and Prout's Neck) and regardless of how their work was seen or accepted, they made the work they needed to make.

It's foolish though that only a few could see the truth of Dove's work when he made it.

I centered something today and actually managed to get it off the wheel. It might not survive the kiln. It's sure nothing too special, but it is a step on a larger road. The object is nothing compared to the thrill of how it felt to have control, to feel connected to that clay for a minute or so...and not to wreck it! My stupid thumbs get in the way a lot but yet, I'm learning.

OK, so, I'll keep trying to make and recycling the mucked up clay. It certainly helps to remember the people (love me some dove) that inspire.

take care,
Rachael