Why Angels?

My affinity for angels probably started while I was growing up. A print of Lauren Ford’s Guardian Angel hung in my room for as long as I can remember. It shows a little girl in a forest surrounded by animals and nature with an airy translucent angel floating in the background. I felt comforted by this image. This print currently hangs in my studio as an inspiration and connection to my past. 

Lauren Ford's Guardian Angel was created in 1891

Fast forward. I started creating angel-related clay art in the 1990s. My friend Patti was diagnosed with breast cancer. She faced the disease and the treatments head-on with her usual positive and happy outlook. At the time she was a recent widow and single mother of three young children. Unfortunately, she lost this battle and died in 1995.

I used the Raku method of firing to create these angels over the years. It was the start of my multi-media approach to clay. The first year I made these I used actual springs from the hardware store to create the hair. Then I discovered colorful wire and beads! Look out!!! 

Patti was the first of my friends and acquaintances to give Breast Cancer a name and a face for me. So I started creating a clay angel form each year to help me honor my friend Patti and the subsequent people I knew who were diagnosed. It helped me work through my feelings in the studio and do ‘something’ to help raise money and awareness about cancer. A percentage of my yearly proceeds is donated to a variety of Breast Cancer and Hospice charities. 

This angel candle holder series shows my love of texture way back when!

I have stayed in touch with Patti’s family off and on through the years. And this year, after connecting with her grown daughter on-line, I’ve just sent off a package of Patti’s-inspired angels to be distributed to her family throughout the holidays. It’s a full circle moment and makes me feel good. 

Angels have taken on a variety of shapes and functions throughout the years. Angel ornaments can decorate a holiday tree or become part of an art collection. The potsticker version can be used outdoors in the garden or indoors in a houseplant.

So here's the 2015 Angel/Patti-inspired clay item. It's a reminder that time does tick by and savoring our family, friendships and special moments is always a good choice to make. You can add one to your collection by clicking on the photo.

Balancing Act

Searching for balance is a constant both in and between my life and art. There are times where clay is predominant in my daily routine leaving little time for other enjoyments. I tend to lose track of time when I’m in the studio as the creative juices are flowing and I’m focused on the task at hand. It can be kind of addicting; it's easy to spend so much time in the studio that it minimizes time for friends, family and other fun activities. I've found time spent away from the studio is beneficial and contributes to success when I'm creating. 

My angel-inspired clock is a new direction for me. I like the contrast of the glazed and unglazed surface areas!

The intensive cycle of clay-making can be unforgiving and contribute to the abundant time necessary for successful completion of a piece. As a material, clay has its limitations and balance requirements. Too wet, and the clay will not hold a form. Too dry, the clay will crack when bent into shape. Additionally, there are numerous stages throughout the journey to completion that require good timing. Learning to dodge these stumbling blocks is part of creating a successful final product. It’s another balancing act to achieve.

This series of bowls was designed and created exclusively for Yarn On The House (YOTH) to hold  knitting accessories and incense. It was a fun collaboration. I love the simplicity of the decoration. Contact Veronika for sales details!

Finding aesthetic balance is another ongoing challenge I face in the studio. Imagining the final piece guides me through the creation process. I’ve learned to trust my own artistic eye. This translates into an authentic outcome that says, “I’ve been created by Laura.”

Sunrise on Hilton Head is filled with natural beauty. It's surely one of the things my family misses about living here. Luckily, we can all come and revisit the activities and friends we knew here and regain some of that special balance we need in our lives.