Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Dismal Dungeon Needs Help

After working another art sale last week and sending out a few out-of-state orders, I have decided I will devote some time to improving the dungeon, starting with the walls. The stone foundation of our 1890 home is solid, but the mortar holding them together is not. Moisture and sediment have found their way through the cracks.

I've already done much of the prep work and tomorrow I plan to patch the gaps and prime the walls. I want to build shelves along one wall to hold my finished pots. This wall stands across from my wheel, just far enough that wet clay will not get flung onto the pots, but close enough that they can serve as reference and inspiration. Visualizing what the studio will look like and how I can improve the layout makes this dirty job worthwhile.

Not only has this task become a structural necessity, but it was a pretty dingy workspace to be in. And I believe one's environment profoundly affects their state of mind. So, if a little mortar and attention can enhance my studio, I should be a right jolly old soul by Christmas.