Clay Bowels

 I made small bowls using air-dry clay.  Since it is autumn, I collected leaves to put imprints in the clay.  Then I shaped the clay into small shallow bowls so that I have a place to hold my earrings.

After 24 hours the clay dried and I decided to decorate the bowls using acrylic paint and watercolor markers. I saw this idea on YouTube. ~ JM

A leaf to imprint a pattern in the clay. Use a rolling pin to roll it flat.

 

Try to find leaves that have pronounce veins to leave a deeper imprint.

Shaping the bowl and letting it air dry.

The finish look!

Virtual Writing Workshop

 In the last couple of months the National Portrait Gallery held virtual writing workshops that drew inspiration from the Portrait Gallery's online exhibition.

This month's focus was P.T. Barnum, a complicated and controversial showman who lived from 1810-1891.

The class began with showing a portrait of P.T. Barnum.  We were given three prompts for the writing assignment:

1.) Write about P.T. Barnum;

2.) Write about circus life; or

3.) Write the process of creating the portrait of P.T. Barnum.

It was interesting to hear the other participants sharing their writings. I selected #2.  Below is the portrait and the beginning of my story.

Portrait of P.T. Barnum taken by Mathew Brady