Creativity in Action
So Many Creative Outlets to Explore
I have a potter’s wheel and kiln, and have been throwing pottery for decades. My pottery shed is in my garden, and the surroundings serve as great inspiration. I recently was experimenting with different textures on some bird houses I made as gifts.
I moved into a new house a few years ago, and have enjoyed watching my new water-wise gardens evolve. Inside the house, wherever art is needed, some new project will fill it.
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”
— Mary Lou Cook, Author
Garden
My garden was designed by myself and my friend Betsy Schulz, public tile sculptor, landscape designer, and artist. (You can see the pottery shed in back.)
I wanted a great space to entertain and also grow vegetables. It’s a work in progress, but this year it’s finally looking established. I recently added a recirculating fountain that is a favorite of the birds.
Artist – Paper Sculpture
This paper sculpture was inspired by a local San Diego artist, Bhavna Mehta, and her book Paper, Pattern and the Story of Gush (Gush was her show at the Oceanside Museum of Art — sadly I missed the show). I have a 14-foot wall on one side of my family room and was looking for some kind of art to fill the corner. This project seemed like the perfect solution.
A roll of heavy-weight builder’s paper was perfect for making eight-foot-long sections. The idea is to have your paper strands come out of a paper tube that’s mounted on the wall. Bhavna had flowers in her creations. I loved them but wanted to do something a little different. I live near the ocean, so I made mine like strands of seaweed, with fish, and curls for water and waves. I then spray painted it copper and gold. I just love how it looks like metal instead of paper!
Pottery
I enjoy both throwing on the wheel and hand building. It’s a very relaxing hobby once you’ve gotten the basics down. These bird houses are hand built. It’s too soon to know if the birds like them, but I am hoping someone takes up residence this spring!
Traveler
You can meet some really interesting people when you travel. And most people are happy to tell their stories and ask to hear some of yours. I’ve been fortunate to have traveled a lot of the world and seen some amazing places. I love anything to do with nature and the outdoors, so Africa and going on safari have been high on my list.
Graphic Designer
My friend Betsy used to joke that we were recovering graphic designers, having both moved away from a desk and computer for most of our work. I have a degree in Graphic Design and had done that work for many decades. Logo design was always one of my favorite things to do as a designer.
