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Tag Archives: porcelain figures
Spring
A new LifeBoat in the Making ~
Fat Cats
Who knew fat cats would be so fun to make. I even want to make them fatter
What do you think … In or Out
Terror in the Kiln
All very sweet and innocent …. but I’ve learned not to be taken in by such graceful appearances. Under immense white hot heat in the kiln, tempers fly!
Looks are given
Moves are made
a Battle ensues
It seems there is always someone who will take a bully down
The Year of Monkey
Inspiration can come from anywhere and sometimes it’s just a matter of saying Yes. I have made Elephants because of my 2 friends’ love of them, powerful enough to create a touring storytelling show about them called Hidden Elephant, and I have made Imaginaries because of my love of creating a lovable figure without convention. But I hadn’t imagined Monkeys. They were requested in celebration of this Year of the Monkey.
So I got to work. It took a while to find Monkey in my fingers and in my my clay. 
Years ago I read the classic Chinese story of Dear Monkey, a story about the mischievous monkey king given the task of guarding the immortal Peach Orchard, he caused a great upset with the Immortals of course and had many other astonishing adventures. It’s a fantastic read.
One can not see a monkey the same way again after that book.
The Yang style Tai Chi Sword form has the most beautiful titles for each position ~
The wild horse jumps the ravine
Follow the currant, push the boat
Black dragon twists around the column and
White Ape Presents Fruit
performed by master Yang Jun, nephew of Yang Zhen Duo(son of Yang Cheng Fu)
I know what it feels like to be that white ape presenting fruit, it’s a simple and straight forward move in its earthly complexity. I always imagine presenting a peach, probably because of the story, and I learned that the Peach symbolizes Immortality. I see this Monkey in my mind as I play the sword.
So I drew on what I understood.
and Monkey came to me
What do you do?
What do you do when you find yourself living on a rare jewel of a giving yet struggling planet out in the Universe and you realize that we are all together … alone?
you build Life Boats.
You pack your essential supplies
Connection – Communication – Compassion 
and then you
Create
Celebrate and
Circle around Listening and Learning
~ as Playfully as you can ~
Elephant bonding
I was photographing these two elephants for my sister. She was to choose one or the other for a gift to her dear friend who loves elephants and finds herself in need of a little heart-lifting elephant power right now. 
Will she choose the big one or the little one?
I turn them around and around so she can better see.
they pose themselves just right … choose me! choose me!
I can see they are getting a little distracted by flower garden
(they don’t get out much before they find a new home)
by the end of this photo session I can see that these two have totally bonded and there is no way I am going to separate them. I have decided they will go together … and if I don’t put down my camera right now, they will just simply wonder off by themselves
as we all know elephants will do
Talking Clay Show
I have a little show at Circle Craft down on Granville Island in Vancouver this month
here is a little peak
a real softie under that tough exterior
Imaginaries
I’ve been busy in my clay studio making Imaginaries. They are little fine porcelain creatures that come right out from my imagination straight into being
Some are always ready to catch a ball or
ready to run and greet you at the door after your long day
Some are peaceful
(that little guy in the background is one of those always ready to chase a bird or is he just watching some one climbing a tree?)
They are little Connectors.
Each one has a story to tell. I quietly listen and search as they take shape and form through my fingers and understandings. They don’t leave my hands until I feel a connection with them, until I have found their story. This interaction assures the possibility of someone else making a connection and hearing a story too, of their own making.
That’s the plan anyway.
It might even be a small story like this one ~
“and … I’m just wondering if you you might perchance have a yummy delicious little sweet for me in your pocket? I do so love persimmons.”
See what I mean? They are always chatting me up.
Imaginaries
I now have a name for these little thoughts in clay. I have a show coming up in July and I want to make many many many of these.
I notice that they all seem to be asking a question ~ 
ok, this one is just flirting
and these 2 are just old friends having a moment together
It goes like this ~
First there’s a mound of well kneaded clay.
and some tools. Then a little form begins to emerge. Who is there?
four legs and a body is a start.
Twisted horns are requested.
Ears and a Tail … I’m being bossed around.
a quick look out at the blue foggy late afternoon sky
This one is so proud of its horns it prances about …. but wait …. something isn’t quite right. What is it this time? A what? Really?!
A beard ~ I never would have guessed
Very Dapper!
Body Language
I was showing a friend a new piece, a Life Boat. She asked me if those were people …..
I thought she asked because she didn’t have her glasses on. But she said that
one never knows with me …
They could be animals or creatures
fair enough
It got me thinking though. Yes their faces are undefined.
I do that for a reason.
I am talking in Body Language
Nancy Walker Studio 