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Lighting transforms 3D images. I spent the last 2 days photographing my work, adjusting the lights and the camera angles numerous times. The outcomes are posted below. Seeing the images will help me decide on new topics I should include to complete my dementia series. Loneliness and its effect on health are one. Fear of uncertainty is another. As dementia is now preventable with diligent efforts, I want to explore that issue as well. Can you think of any other stories I should add to the series? The images below are posted in chronological order according to their creation dates. While making them, I pondered my career as an artist. Marketability should not be the deciding factor for what I create. Even though I am aware of it, I still struggle with it. I have to make a living after all. I thought of sculpting a life-size figure, but I decided to wait until an image itself speaks to me to do it. For now, I am settled with trying different colored clays. As they are groggy, they forced me to sculpt without fine details. It was like the clays had guided me to the right direction.  Spread the Rejoice  Bedroom Prison  Bedroom Prison (detail)  Self-Acceptance  Walled Anger  Lost (click this image to enlarge it)  Lost (diagonal view)  Her Essence  Disembodied  Living Fully
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I am finishing up 3 more sculptures for the dementia series. I will add explanation to each piece later, but I will appreciate if you could kindly share your reactions to any of the recently uploaded work. Thanks a lot.  Spread the Rejoice  Bedroom Prison  Angry at the world I have started to work on my dementia series again. This piece reflects my quest: how can we live fully despite what life throws at us?   Happy INTERdependence Day! Three more "Prairie Dog Jars" and one more "Guardian of the Heart" were added to my inventory. They all will be taken to the "Small Works Show and Sale" held at the Green Ink Gallery in Nemo on June 19. The featured artists are Mark Zimmerman, Mary Wipf, Jim Stevens, Bonny Fleming, Amber Zora, and me. Come fill your heart with art and the beauty of the hills.    My 2nd creative aging program has completed at the Dahl Arts Center. I am taking a sigh of relief now. Seniors with visual/cognitive impairment and their drivers took these free ceramic hand-building classes. I cherished interactions with my students. Their positive reactions to my efforts warmed me to the core. A volunteer described the effect "diversability." People with different abilities and from diverse backgrounds jumbled to have fun with mud. It was perfect. Here are some photos from the program:  John Kraft with extreme weak vision finger-painting glazes.  The dog bowl in John's hands in the previous photo became Christmasy after firing. In the intro class, each student made small plates, a ladybug, mugs, a pig, a dog bowl, and a turtle.  "Experience" is important. Here, Konnie Ellis (complete blind) is about to dip her little pig into a glaze.  Laura Collins (complete blind) is a basket weaver. She is weaving the hair of her mask.  Laura's work. When she had some vision, she used to tilt her head in order to see better with one good eye. She purposely sculpted the tilt and her signature smile.  I expanded my program to include those with dementia. These were done by a dementia sufferer and her husband. I would give the best-of-the-show award to their elephants. They were so adorable.  Last Saturday (June 28), a reception was held to cerebrate the program completion. Students from all my classes gathered for the event and saw, for the first time, how their glazes turned out. In the photo, volunteers are leading small group discussions.  A magnifier (provided by Dakota Link) allowed Heide Noblitt (weak vision) to see her own work even the textures.  Melissa Nelson facilitated the whole group discussions. I was pleased to hear those with disabilities became the center of attention. The focus was placed on their ability.  Sue Hey and Lenard Running led a sing-along.  Sue and Lenard brought a puppet for everyone. Joy was resonating.  The reception ended with an easy yoga led by Lynnette Van-Epps Smith.  Delight was obvious on many people's faces by the time the students packed their ceramics to take home. You may be wondering why Asian snacks were with their pieces. I scattered them on the tables for people to try, rather than serving refreshments. They experienced different culture in a fun way. The entire experience made me think of my overseas medial relief missions. In both occasions, people touched my heart just by being who they were. The precious rewards would keep warming me for years to come.
Immense thanks to the sponsors, the South Dakota Arts Council and the Rapid City Arts Council. |
About This Blog
This page is an window for you to see my creative process. I would like to encourage you to leave your comments here. What kind of thoughts did my art provoke you? What viewpoint do you agree/disagree to? Your feedback will feed my art going forward. Thank you.
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