How do you navigate change?
This year, most have us have had to navigate through changes. With a global pandemic and so much upheaval in the world, it would be hard not to be affected in some way.
As many of you know, I have been renovating my studio since last year. As I moved into the interior of the studio to begin my renovations there this Spring, getting building supplies became more complex and delayed, (not to mention kiln parts) and of course that limited my ability to create, which has been frustrating to say the least.
Studio interior, mid renovation. 
My old wheel, which was on it’s last legs!
But within frustration is opportunity. 2020 was the kind of year I had to let go of all my expectations and plans. So eventually I did, and here’s what happened:
The new studio isn’t quite finished now, but it’s back to the point where I can make beautiful things, so stay tuned. It turned out better than I could have ever dreamed, and it really is like walking into a new building. Perhaps it was through slowing down, letting go, and finding the possibilities in change that allowed this transformation.
In what surprising ways has 2020 brought change for you?
In the meantime as we get fired up again, why not take a look at some of our raku vases. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter to keep up to date on our journey.
Your creative space appears looks like it reflects the spontaneous and artistic owner behind it! Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you for your kind comment! I am so glad you like it 🙏
I love seeing pics of your creative space!
Beautiful! And such an inspiring story.
Thank you for your kind comment! I am glad that my story resonates with you 🙏 Keep well!
Thanks Alissa! I am glad to share them and appreciate your support! Hope you are keeping well 🙏
So beautiful! And so fortunate to have a space! Change is difficult for me, it makes me uncomfortable & cranky, but eventually I ease into it! Great job!
Thank you! I feel very blessed. Change can be challenging for sure – accepting it is the toughest part. It is inevitable in the end – its tough to let go of attachments to something for sure…hope you are keeping well! 🙏
Super talented AND neat and tidy – some people are truly blessed.
Ha! Thank you! I try to keep it tidy but admit that it was cleaned before the pictures were taken! 🙂
It looks like a great place to relax and work.
Thank you, it is. And now with the wood stove it makes it much easier going into winter for both of those things 🙏 Stay well!
Love your studio! Looks like many happy memories in the making! Enjoy 🙂
Thank you! it is a peaceful place for sure. I feel very blessed to have it. 🙏 Keep well!
I agree with everyone else who has commented. Your studio and woodsy landscape are reflected in the objects that are created in such an environment – a certain beauty that is beyond words. Thank you for sharing photos of your work, your little spot of Heaven-on-Earth, and your inspirations with the world as you do.
Thank you for your kind words, Lynda! It is wonderful to hear that the woodsy environment comes through in the work. I feel blessed to have such a space 🙏 Hope you are keeping well!
Love the way the space is opening up to re-incarnate in its latest Beauty-Making Place iteration. The chair/table up on a mini-deck is a cool way to set apart a special space standalone with no walls that also coalesces with the larger space, and with it’s own floor covering foundation to brace against. Nice touch.
Change. Love it. ALways have. Transformations, rites of passage, the way I do not get out of my own way, I am continually in the process of BEING my own way, boundaries and awarenesses pressurized up to 33 psi in the shape of me. No walls. Self as Temple in (Wo)Men. 2 weeks before the 3/19 shutdown I bolted up from sleep to sit up in the dark in a feeling of celebration and gratitude. I was pleasantly startled awake at an Oscar level Tarot recognition I received years back for my Tarot in the Land of Mystereum boxed set with deck and book. Though, that was the impetus of not being nascent to that part of my work again. It was not the result. I sat. I steeped in silence, and 78 Tarot spreads I created in 78 days in late 2012/early 2013 on a self-challenge of 78 original spread that were inspired by my own watercolors from 7-9 years prior… the 78 spreads like a viscous light in the dark silently made a kelping slow march out of the depths of darkness to settle in right in front of me as if they came to the table. I got up, located the files, and hundreds of hours later on May 2nd at 1:21a my ImaginAction eBook pdf was born.
At the 3/19 shutdown I had a clear feeling that I was in no way going to cotton to my gestating-in=-the-process-to-completion offspring to be churned under in some wake of the intense and important hub-bub. I protected it lovingly like a child. That began the summer of what I call COVID Blessings. I woke myself up 2 weeks prior rather than being kicked in the rump to make something happen. Then, working from home I had no hour+ commute each way twice a day. I retrieved that time for meditation and creative work, opened my blog back up after a 5-year Tarot/Astrology/Architecture/Archetypal Cosmology/Alchemy/Poetry radio silence. I had allowed my garden to go fallow, to heal, to sleep to rejuvenate and amend its own soil.
So, late Spring and through the Summer has been a wonderful process of action and production from an active process. And, fluid in the lungs early February having to lie on my stomach for 3 days to hang my lungs to gasp-inhale to force as much of the little air I could into my lungs… I gather I had Covid before Covid was cool. May June July…”Why do I have frostbite symptoms on my toes and calves during the summer??? I’ve had frostbite before. The squirrels tails are both bushy (indicating a hard winter coming) and slimline tails (indicating mild to no winter). Hmmm, the squirrels’ systems are confused. Nature is now in a geologic time milestone n the moment. So, my systems are probably confused. Chilsbains in the summer with toes that are frostbite prone… That episode of Northern Exposure came to mind. Cool, I’m molting. The snake its skin shedded, the snake its skin not missed… for… look at all the splendor of my refreshed colors that gleam.
Covid Toes from what my research tells me indicates a healthy immune response to fighting off Covid. I had $400 of blood work done after that 3 days down and 3 weeks after feeling like a just kept getting hit by a Mack truck. I wondered if Lymes Disease had come back from 4 years ago and was playing one of its mimic games. Liver Tewttins all right where they should be. Heart, lungs, kidneys, etc same same same. The only thing the Doc said was, “There’s only one change in your chart. Your Lymes antibodies are almost all gone, washed out. I haven’t seen that before. Your body is doing what bodies do best. Re-incarnate by ablution. I don’t usually use those words with patients, though your in Tarot and Astro etc, so I figured I’d take the opportunity to speak you language.”
So, blood work done, I resonate with that as semi-confirmation of a healthy immune system doing its work, as I have continued to do mine, albeit massaging my toes on a daily regimen to re-incarnate the capillary action to get more blood in to flush in life and flush out the trouble.
In short, that’s my Change Gig. Plus-or minus 7 other completed writing project works over the summer, and discovering in my email Drafts that in one form or another I have 500+ books I am “working on.” Great problem to have. I keep trying to get to them… and to my draft blogs… If only I would stop writing new ones every time I go to work on one, I could make progress 😉 and 🙂
Thank you for sharing a part of your journey, Jordan 🙏 I hope you are keeping well
You’re welcome. 🙏 Me as well you.
What a great studio! No wonder beautiful work occurs here!
Thank you Susan, so glad you like it! It is definitely a lovely space to create. 🙏 Stay well!
You’ve really worked hard on doing this up. It looks great, well done! I especially like the tiles you’ve used, they look super, and I can imagine it’s much easier to keep the floor nice this way!
Thank you! They were a great find and yes keeping things wipedownable is a BIG plus. Stay well!
It looks really cool. 👍🏻
On a different note – change is inevitable, it must to accepted and enjoyed. 🙂
Agreed, accepting that change with gratitude rather than resistance makes life a lot simpler. Also – easier said than done! 🙂 Keep well!
Your space looks really nice. Now I want a space too.
Thank you! This is an old barn that was used as a mechanic shop. In time it has become a studio. Perhaps there is a place that could be reorganized in the way you need? 🙏
I love what you’ve done with your studio!
The changes of needing to be more isolated has pulled me away from being so ‘outward’ doing events and book marketing and allowed me to work more quietly on my writing – which has been welcome. As an introvert, I needed the rest. But I also find I want to spiral inward and the writer community and marketing things I’m still responsible for are feeling like a great imposition instead of feeling fun like they used to. Hopefully I can balance it all out. Blogging has been a big help with keeping me somewhat social and in touch with other authors and artists. And I put together an Anthology of short stories and artworks that just got published and released. As project manager and editor, that definitely pulled me out of my shell for most of the spring and summer. Perhaps that’s why I’m seeking to hide out for awhile?
Thanks for sharing your experiences and for asking this interesting question!
I understand what you mean as a fellow introvert! Keeping up creation while also blogging definitely requires energy and it has been nice to take time to refuel. Also, congratulations on the new book 🙏 Keep well!
What a great reno! I need to dedicate some space; currently I have my chair in a corner surrounded by other chairs and papers! #feelingmotivated
Hi Lea! I hope it is going well. I understand the difficulty of keeping motivated. 🙏 Keep well!
Congratulations! This looks like such a peaceful and inspiring place to work in!
Thank you! It definitely feels that way. 🙏 Keep well!
Your new studio rocks and reflects the creative genius that dwells there.
Thank you for your kindness Eugenia! No genius over here, just a potter doing some pottering! 🙏Keep well!
😉
Wow, your new studio is coming along nicely, I love the tile work! I recently updated me studio too, I went from exclusively painting on the floor to sitting at a table to paint, a whole new perspective that I am still getting used to, but man, it sure is a lot easier to get up! Have a great week Jay!
It is wonderful to literally “move up in the world!” ha! Keep well! 🙏
Love your space dude, that’s a wonderful place to be. 👍
Thank you Rob, I enjoy it very much and thank you for your kind comment. 🙏 Keep well!
What a beautiful places! I love it!
Thank you for your kind comment! I admit I am biased but I love it too. It turned out better than I imagined!
That’s great! I’m glad to hear that:)
Wow! You have a beautiful studio! I definitely love the platform your table and chair sit on! Awesome work!
Thank you! It was an addition that called out to be made. Also easier for clay cleanup! 🙏 keep well!
You’re most welcome. 😊
This flamingo !💗
It was a great find to be sure! I am glad you like it as well!
This is so good and I can only encourage you to keep going.
Thank you! I appreciate your kind and supportive comment. Hope you are keeping well! 🙏
Thank you for this. So encouraging and inspiring for the rest of us!
Let’s both keep on keepin on Lea! 🙏
Your space is amazing.
You make is so unique just like your beautiful pottery.
Go, You!
Thank you Lynda! I hope you are keeping well!