Raku Fire Workshop

Today Lewie and I spent a hot and fiery day at the Workhouse. Outings have been pretty much nonexistent, so today was such a treat! It was Lewie's first raku fire experience, and I am so happy we shared the day together.

 Summer is melting away and soon he will be heading off to college (fingers crossed that Covid does not impede his next chapter too much)

There were five artists and the instructor in the workshop today. I appreciated the small number. Everyone wore masks for the entirety of the workshop and was very respectful of the distance between each other. The temperature outside was a hearty 98 degrees...that paired with the smoke and fire made for a hot day. I will say, the heat didn't even bother me, I was just so excited to be out and making art with others. The physicality of a raku fire is what I enjoy the most, of course the end results are beautiful, but there is something really awesome about being a part the collective kinetic experience of moving the pots through the glazing process with all the combustibles and spritzes. 

It feels so good to be tired from delightful conversations with new friends, making art, and the ritual of the raku fire process. As I sit here tonight looking at the photos and the finished raku pieces  reflecting on the the day I can still smell the smoke in my hair! I will sleep so good tonight.

Reflecting on the Practice

 

Last week I had the opportunity to teach a one week summer camp, aptly titled: Picture This!

The camp was open to youth ages 12 to 14 years old. There were 8 participants.

I must confess here, I have never in my 20 years of teaching worked at a summer camp, much less designed a sequence for a camp. So, needless to say, I was a little nervous, but ready for the challenge.

 

 

It was incredible. I put together a sequence of experiences in all things photo! The kids built pinhole cameras and took selfies, made photograms, developed film, learned camera settings, LOVED the light painting...and at the end of the week they were asking for another week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The young artists navigated the darkroom, the studio and the light painting stage with the confidence of old pros by the end of the week. It was delightful and inspiring to see their ideas take off and the experimentation and problem solving ensue! Their energy and engagement was uncontainable.

 

 

 

 

 

It is so satisfying to facilitate and observe the creative process! It is a craft in itself, teaching. It is the best kind of performance art out there. It is the experience of making that informs the final product and encapsulated in that is the memory of the action that created the work.

 

 

Tonight is the reception at Greater Reston Arts Center for the Art Educator's show. I am looking forward to seeing the artwork. I have tremendous respect for educators that actively make their own work as well as inspire other artists with what they know and are so skillfully able to teach.