Born out of fire.

I am a fiery personality. In more ways than one - this is something I am really only beginning to realize and accept. I don’t put much credence in astrological signs - however, it is hard to not see the similarities that I share with my Leo sign. I’m loud, opinionated, not really all that shy and I love - LOVE - the sun. I shrink during the winter - my skin, my person, my personality darkens. I am finding this love of the light, heat and fire has reached in and taken a hold of my creativity as well.

As a wannabe artist, I have been plagued by the fact that I don’t sketch, I don’t practice my drawing - painting doesn’t really intrigue me and (as much as I’d prefer) 2D things just don’t float my boat. I beat myself up for this. I chalked it up to the fact that I was indeed NOT an artist. I let it rule my aspirations and my inclinations towards creation.

This is utter shit.

Glass has allowed me to accept that I like it hot, elemental and laborious. I want to feel the heat on my face, the burn in my arms, the vibrations of the tools that are used, the exhaustion that comes after a piece is “born.”

Glass has endeared me to the kiln, and to heat, in a way that I never expected. Now, I am finding that glass is leading me to metals and metalworking (and torches!). I also want to work bigger - hotter. I envision this next phase of my creativity being as fiery as my personality. I want to play with molten glass. I want to weld. I want to hammer iron into submission…I want to create with heat and fire and tools and strength - in collaboration with my own fire and ideas.

And you know what…I’m not going to apologize for any of it. My fire is part of what makes me who I am. 

Below is a preliminary idea for a ring. Though, very simple - and nothing much to look at - this piece is the beginning for me. It’s the start of allowing myself to discover who I am, love the process that I choose (whatever the medium), relish in the craft.