…experimentation pains.

The process of experimentation…can go much like this:

1. Excitement at the idea and all the possibilities that seem to surround that idea. In this case, glass landscapes.

2. Execution of that idea. Shaky at first but things seemed to be coming out like I had envisioned.

3. Setting them gently in the kiln…with all the best intentions in the world. KNOWING they will turn out exactly as planned.

4. Discovering that half way thru the firing process the pieces were NOT going to turn out as I wanted. Frustration takes over. 

5. I stare at the finished pieces willing them into something else…that clearly doesn’t work.

6. I pout and blame the fact that I don’t have the “right” tool/equipment to do what I want.

7. I sit with them. Put them by the sink where they have to be seen several times a day. I let them grate on me. Mock me.

8. Eventually I start to like them…staring at them every day makes me think about how to work them (outside the kiln) into something that I might actually show to someone.

Once I hit number 9 - I’ll let you know.