Playing In The Mud - Hummingbird Lane Art Gallery

Playing In The Mud

Written by Amy Strickland
Saturday, 23 February 2008

What an experience we’re having owning the gallery! When we decided to purchase Hummingbird Lane, I had no idea what was about to happen to me creatively. It began with Todd handing me a sketch pad and some pastels, which sat in a corner for a long time. Then a conversation spawned a drawing, the drawing spawned a painting, and my creative juices began to flow.

After painting the “World Series” it became obvious to me that I’m not the best painter in the world, even though I did sell my paintings. I enjoyed very much the subject matter of the world paintings, and will continue to paint when inspired. But my real passion was yet to find me.

In a conversation with Helen Miller, she encouraged me to try my hand at clay. She even volunteered to teach me, and we set up private lessons, which was important to me. I was out on a limb showing my artwork at the gallery already, so I wanted a little privacy in case clay turned out to be just an embarrassment.

Within 3 lessons with Helen, I was hooked. She’s a wonderful, talented teacher and her passion for clay is catching. I would stay at her house late into the evening on lesson night. She’d practically have to “throw” me out. (Ha! Hopefully other potters will get my humor :>)

In the meantime, I couldn’t stop talking about how much I loved playing in the mud. In a conversation with Margret Von Keiser, she offered to sell me her entire studio, which included a wheel, a kiln, patterns, molds, glazes – you name it. Margret is one of our wonderful artists. Her focus has been in oil paintings and to a small degree, sculpture, since we’ve owned the gallery. Her entire history in clay was yet to present itself to me, but needless to say I would be so impressed the day she finally showed me the work she did in clay, several years earlier. I took her up on her offer and began moving the equipment to my porch. It would take several trips to finally acquire all that she had, but finally I was ready to work at home.

I’m very strict with myself about taking Monday and Tuesday off each week. And that’s where the magic began for me. I began to throw first thing Monday mornings, and not stop until Tuesday night. I would be exhausted and often only stop to sleep. But my work, my creativity is only beginning. I’ve had 4 lessons with Helen, and am looking forward to what’s next. I’m the luckiest artist in the world, as I am surrounded by generous and sharing artists such as Helen and Margret, but also people like Brad Walker, Renee Speenburgh, Bill Ensign, Georg Skowranek, and so many more. They’ve all been so kind to me and encouraging, that I can’t imagine life without mud anymore.

So that’s my story in clay. I’m still at it. I plan to get better at it. Since right now I’m only doing small pieces and bowls, as well as some handbuilding, I know for a fact that I have a long way to go. But the exciting part is, in clay, if you can dream it up, you can do it. And I promise you, those are my plans! To dream and to do.

Share this article: