Wednesday, March 4, 2009

And voila! She's an artist!

First, here is today's "walk 100 steps and shoot a photo" challenge. It's a bubble of ice on my deck steps. It may look thick and scary but it is beautiful to me because it means the ice has been formed by the water dripping from the roof eaves. Spring, oh beautiful spring - can the Vernal Equinox be just 17 days away???

Now look at this piece of art:

It is the plate/bowl I made Sunday at the fused glass class. I am so excited - it came out exactly as I had envisioned. I'm already drawing patterns and writing down ideas for more....I think everyone on my list will be getting one of these for Christmas!!

Isn't it exciting to try something new, something absolutely foreign and find a bit of success in it? It's scary and challenging to take the first step, feeling that little prickly feeling of unease about being in uncharted waters. But, my mother Betty Lou always said, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Making something, creating something - these are easier to begin or try.

Relationships: now that is really scary. It somehow seems easier and oh so much more comfortable to stay with the old, cluster with the known friends, than wander outside the fence into unknown territory. That's why cliques form in junior high. The devil you know....

This week I tried both: a new skill and a new friend. And I'm feeling pretty good about both.

I'm building on the success earlier this winter of inviting a new friend, Hazel - who I only previously knew through work and a library book club - to join our movie night. She is fantastic and fabulous and hilariously funny and I never would have known that if I didn't take the chance.
This week I've invited another new person to movie night and the Full Moon party. I hope she's all she appears to be.

Because, with every new friend, with every new skill learned, with every new experience, my life gets deeper and richer. And you know that ain't all bad!

7 comments:

Tatersmama said...

I love the picture, I love the bowl (oh my, YES I love it!) and I love the attitude.
My dad used to say that a stranger was just a friend he hadn't met yet ( Will Rogers?) and it's always encouraged me to add some pretty disparate friends to "the circle".
I've never regretted it yet!

Gladys said...

You are so incredibly talented. I need to venture out more myself but I just can't seem to make myself. I tell myself "I'm going to go volunteer." Then I find myself making a million excuses not to. Note to self "MUST GET OFF MY SLACK ASS AND DO SOMETHING". I'll do that right after I bake another batch of cookies, then I'll have to eat them, then it will be time for dinner and then of course a snack while watching TV...

Lili said...

Your fused glass piece looks very professional...I am very impressed! Love the chautreuse color too. I think some sushi or california spring rolls would look devine on it! I just love reading your blog...

Becky said...

That ice bubble is scary, I thought it was a skull or bunch of bones. Your artwork is very modern looking, like the colors. I think you have started something! Good luck on your new friendship! You can never have too many friends!

Lisa said...

Oh dear, that bowl is gorgeous! Just lovely. Good job. I love your blog and thanks so much for visiting mine!

Lisa

A Spot of T said...

The bowl/plate is so pretty, I love how shiny and smooth it is not to mention the pattern on it. So talented you are! Sounds like Hazel is a great person. Hope she joins the group and adds to the enjoyment.

Libby's Library said...

You need to start selling your stuff on Etsy.