Expression of color
I hate the concept of 'bucket lists.' Life is so fragile and short, and I think I'd rather put thought and energy into experiencing life instead of just checking things off a list that ends with "and now that you're done, hurl yourself off of a cliff."
Thus the 'life list' at http://domesticat.net/todo which a few of you have seen so far. Not things to check off, but experiences I want, accomplishments I'm seeking, skills I'm willing to learn.
I saw an email this morning from The Flying Monkey, the local arts center; an artist in residence there (Susan Knecht) is offering glass-blowing classes in the spring. I thought about it for a little while and then decided to sign up. 2008 was marked by my discovering that quilting Wasn't That Hard™, and I thought, why not?
I've always been curious about glass arts. A cousin of mine blew glass in Alaska for a while, and the pink-and-white ornament she made me is one of the first ornaments I hang on my tree ... on the years I actually decorate a Christmas tree. I can't draw, so I'm fascinated by artistic endeavors that focus on the expression of color. Glass-blowing seems like it might fit.
Maybe I'll hate it. Maybe I'll love it. Maybe I'll discover intense satisfaction in melting perfectly good glass into utterly eccentric shapes. ("oh dear God, save us from Amy's paperweights" may be the phrase of Christmas 2009)
Only one way to find out.
Comments
I've got a few ornaments
I've got a few ornaments from her, and she does beautiful work. Good luck with the class!
Awesome. Cherry wood
Awesome. Cherry wood paddles and wet newspapers. If you don't learn about that in your class, then remind me and I'll let you in on the scoop.
Re: not being able to draw: nonsense. You have arms, right? Fingers? I know you know how to see, because I've seen your photography. Drawing is a learned skill, not innate. If drawing is a skill you want to acquire, then you can find someone or some book or some website to teach you. Same with painting. You want to make techno music? You can do it. To put it another way: were you born knowing how to cook? How to code?
I feel strongly about this mainly because I told myself the lie that I "can't" draw for years. I read books, bought pencils, erasers, charcoal sticks, foofy papers, took classes, and still "couldn't" draw. One day I realized the problem was twofold: first, on a technical level, I was blinded by some bad assumptions I had made which kept me from learning certain techniques properly, and second, I just wasn't practicing enough.
Anyway, my main point is not that you should give up glassblowing and take up drawing. My main point is you can do it, no matter what "it" is.
That sounds like so much
That sounds like so much fun, Amy! I am looking forward to seeing your paperweights and ornaments! Glass blowing is on my list of cool things I might one day learn how to do.
I love Susan Knecht.! I've
I love Susan Knecht.! I've been to her gallery and love chatting with her. I have several of her ornaments and have given many more as gifts. She's a really cool person to get to know. Her husband and I work for the same company. Let me know if you want to go and check out her gallery sometime.
Good luck with the class. I can't wait to hear about it.