Letter from the Editor: May 2020

As we continue to socially distance ourselves and work to slow the spread of COVID-19, we are all finding that we have more free time on our hands.

I've been taking this time to get more organized. Recently, I was sifting through some old pictures and noticed elements that were inspirational for working with clay—colors, patterns, and shapes.

The first picture is from our 2019 family trip to Yellowstone National Park. On the way into the park, we stopped to watch the sun rise over the Grand Teton mountains. At the time, I remember the view being breathtaking. As I look back at it now, I notice little aspects that I couldn't see before. There's a subtle color gradient in the sky—going from one shade of blue to other. The green trees and foliage are a sharp contrast to the shades of blue which seem to make the white snow capped mountains pop. 

Next, I found another picture from our Yellowstone vacation. One day we went to see Grand Prismatic. I remember the intense heat and smell of sulfur as we walked the path around the hot spring. From the ground level, it was difficult to see the color variations and just how beautiful it really was. Once we discovered a path to an observation deck, the full picture was easier to see. Although this image of Grand Prismatic points out color combinations and blends, I see patterns in the colors, too. The shift from one vibrant color to another inspires me to be brave in the color combinations and how I put them together.

The last picture I wanted to share with you this month was taken in Oahu, Hawaii this past March. I was there for a blended work and vacation trip with my future mother-in-law. This was my second time there, but her first—so we made sure to see as many sights as possible. This particular picture is overlooking Hanauma Bay. The picture honestly doesn't do it justice. The blues and clarity of the water are aspects I've not encountered anywhere else yet in my travels. But, this particular picture draws my eyes to the the shapes rather than the colors. Unlike the Grand Tetons, these mountainous structures are more curved and seem to flow from one into the other with a sort of grace. The corals in the water seem somewhat haphazardly place and at the same time, they are exactly where they should be. This picture inspires me to create art that's not symmetrical and to explore the possibilities of contrasting elements that are not placed in conventional ways.

So, this month, I want to encourage all of you to take a moment and look around. See the details of your surroundings and use them to help inspire new. creative pieces.