Thursday, January 16, 2014

Rainbows and birds

 When the sun shines we are being followed by light that is being reflected through a well placed prism that has been set high up in a window in the studio.
It is usually well into the afternoon when the colors start following us around the room.
It appears on pots.
But it also likes to rest on the left side of my wheel and hang out for awhile before it moves off to the right side and rests high on my workspace.
I have to admit we can be easily distracted by pretty shinny things and watching the colors move around the room is... well, a distraction, but a good one.

The funny thing is Mark had carried this prism out to the studio years ago and set it in a window to collect dust. No sun, just dust.
Then one day he picks it up and moves it.
It was just waiting to be alive.
Now it is shooting colors at us.
Look at what I can do, it seems to tell us.

 How often do we walk past things and just not notice until they hit us on the head, or blind us with their light?

You can just see the shadow of the small prism on the wall. It sure is bold for such a small thing.

This is something I would recommend if you are building studio space for yourself placing some windows up high for extra light.
The first time we built the studio we just stuck in windows.
Oh, look, I need a window here.
This time we gave it more thought and placed several windows up high to catch the sun.
Smart move.
 I do miss the window that I use to have in the building that was directly in front of my wheel. It faced out to the back pasture and in the early spring I could watch the bluebirds working the area for food and nesting material.

It will soon be time for some of the birds to make their way back. I always look to them to let me know when spring is around the corner.

Below are some bottles that Mark, Charlotte Wooten, of Humble Mill Pottery, and I worked on together somewhere around 1995-1996. I had kept a few and then I had a few fly back my way in the past few years. I finally gather them all together in one spot. Charlotte is such a talented potter and I do love her work.
If you are in the area be sure to look her up.
Cheers,
M

20 comments:

Tracey Broome said...

Your studio is a potters dream! Even the pretty light wants to be a part of it :) Windows up high might be a good idea, I get distracted so easily by the birds outside my studio window, wasting away my time sitting and watching birds eat.......

Gary's third pottery blog said...

OH! Look at the wonderful pots and birds! Thanks for sharing that!

Lori Buff said...

I installed high windows and even a skylight in my studio. I can watch the birds and look up into the trees and occasionally I'll even remember to make some pots.
Now I'm inspired to hang a prism because we all need more rainbows in our lives.

Gail said...

The Indian museum in Washington, D.C. has a prism hin in the wall of the lobby. It casts a moving rainbow on the sculpture which depicts a basket semi buried in the "ground" (floor of the lobby). It's beautiful.

Gail said...

Argh...high, High..on the wall. Sigh

Dennis Allen said...

When in doubt put a bird on it.

Mrs. G. said...

I have one of Charlottes mugs with a cardinal on it. I so love it.

Mrs. G. said...

Loving the light here.

cookingwithgas said...

TB_ birds are a great distraction to not working! Thanks- we love our studio.
Hey Gary!
Yes, Lori we do need more rainbows.

cookingwithgas said...

hey Gail- that would be something to see.
Dennis....it seems to work, whynot!??

cookingwithgas said...

Heather- I forgot you bought one of Charlotte's mugs. I love her work.

Claudia from Idiot's Kitchen said...

Oooh, I love those bird vases!

Even living in Florida where the sun shines almost every day, windows are a must for me. I practice in front of 3 big windows in the living room. When we had guests, I moved back to the bedroom (so i didn't disturb people attempting to watch football with crazy piccolo playing) and I HATED practicing in there. Back up front to my windows and all is good. Even at my friend's house in MN, I migrate around to find the sunny spot. Guess I'm part cat.

cookingwithgas said...

I understand this so well- you would have to lock me up if I worked in a building with no windows.

Unknown said...

So get a saw and cut your window out!.. Frame it up, stick in some glass, and you're off and away.. (c:

we're going to the stained glass place sometime next week. You could put one of those up in an existing window for color (C:

cookingwithgas said...

I have a window in front of wheel but...the view sucks a bit.....don't tell my husband.

Laurie said...

Love rainbows from prisms. I've got them in most windows of my house, and yep, I do get distracted from time to time :o) Would love to look at the sweet bird pots in person. Now you've got me pondering your view there. I'll have to take a look at it. Bet we can enhance it.

smartcat said...

It looks like you have tiny spaceships of light in your studio. I think I should dig our my prisms and sun-catchers when I get home.

The little birds are charming!

Sandy Miller said...

Windows were my biggest mistake when I built the studio. As much as I need the wall space I now think I need the window more. Especially with all the carving I have been doing, sitting by a window would be easier on the eyes and the brain!

I have a prism suncatcher hanging on the porch and it casts rainbows on white walls...... magic!

cookingwithgas said...

Hey girls!
Sandy I have a saw, do you want me to bring it over and help you make a window?

CATHY DANIEL said...

Gorgeous pictures of that light effect! Just what's needed here in England on this grey misty day! I have a window in my little studio/spare room but it does make it very cold in winter! But worth it all the same! Happy New Year! xCathy