Tic-tac-toe Training

When we lived in Rapid City, one of my favorite places to bring the kids was Reptile Gardens. The list of reasons is long and varied, though for me I looked most forward to the tic-tac-toe playing chickens! 

For 25¢ the chicken comes out, pecks on a tic-tac-toe board, earning a treat each turn, and the human walks away with a cool postcard, win or lose. (caveat: I know this kind of Conditioned Response training not always the ideal situation for a chicken, few of those honestly exist, not even in my back yard. So I make my backyard and my tic-tac-toe training as loving and as friendly as I possibly can as a flawed human being who has no recollection of ever being a chicken, backyard or otherwise)

Rose Tyler, Rosie, Chick-Chick-Chicken

So, when I ordered my first batch of chickens, I hoped for one of them to be tic-tac-toe trainable. I chose breeds specifically on the conditions of dual purpose (eggs & meat), friendliness, easy to physically handle. At the end of Summer, I'm left with only one chicken. In my world, Rose Tyler survived. (She's an Australorp)

We've had Rose on the back porch all winter, so we've become quite well acquainted ♥ She was friendly before, always riding on my arm, shoulders & head. This winter though, I've been her constant company when I'm outside. 

She's a pecker. Oh my goddess, she is one BAMP (Bad Ass Mother Pecker). She likes my silver hairs, my wiggly eyeballs, food in my teeth (any food I've got, really) and my teeny-tiny diamond earring (in my ear) from Mitch. I like a friendly and non-mauling chicken-friend. I've compromised by redirecting her fascination with all-things-reflective-or-tasty-about-me with my telephone screen. (It's not tactile responsive) I always add a reward to her phone pecks: neck scratches, cooing, petting.  

Training Session 1

Today, I opened up my Tic-Tac-Toe app and grabbed some craisins (she especially loves fruit, they're a perfect reward/treat). She pecked, she got a craisin. She pecked, she got a craisin. Then, she just wanted the freakin craisins & she knew where they were. I tapped the screen with a craisin, she pecked, she got a craisin. Chickens are much easier to redirect than toddlers, FYI. 

We played two games, each winning one.
Next time, I want a post card. 

Day 27, Let there be Art.

Before landing in the Studio, I visited our local bookstore for sewing inspiration.  Sure enough, they have a couple of books with patterns that I'll be picking up on Wednesday. 

Arrived at the studio at 2:30 and left at 9:30. In the Clay Room. 

First, I cleared out my finished-still-drying projects, creating some much needed space on my shelves. 

Next I bagged my scraps, wet them down, wrapped 'em up & continue to pray for their resurrection. 

Then I sat myself down and painted, painted, painted.  

The next time you see something labeled "Hand Painted" pay the premium, for reals, SO MUCH WORK in hand painting my low fire creations. I'm a much more grateful shopper, too! I managed to finish Big Blue Meanie, Love Hand, Owl Tile and get a good beginning on a small Life is Good tile.  

Big Blue Meanid + Love Hand (Set II)

One HUGE advantage to daily studio time (aside from the meditative benefits I reap): the connection with the other artists. Friends. We inspire and share. 

I don't know how I've coped without Art. 

Oh wait, I didn't do a very good job. 

And that's a truth. 

26 Artfilled Days

At the studio today:
Finished the black & white skirt and whipped up an apron.
I used Trish's fabric so this first one is hers. She was as happy to receive as I was to create: win/win

Artful February XXV

Sat down with Faith-the-Singer and, per usual, got much completed.
Dissembled & resembled the newly designed Harry Potter wrap skirt. Very happy with my improvements.
2nd skirt, different pattern, more goodwill fabric, needs hem + attached waistband = ready to wear.
Another date tomorrow to finish skirt & possibly work on T-shirt scarves before returning to clay!

24 Days

I showed up. Can't play if you're not on the field. Couldn't paint, combination wouldn't open the locker.
So I slab rolled & set up for tomorrow.
Here's another completed tile from yesterday

A challenge + Art

Few words, much love.
Made some, collected some from kiln.

Twenty Two!

Behold my bounty of creation:
*Medallions made from the molds I created, either pressed or carved. I plan to paint them and leave them around town as random acts of art.
*Wrap vase "Doug" from porcelain pressed into Mike's Douglas Fir bark mold. The inside bottom is textured, too!
*Three little birds tile. Owls from ring I purchased at Venice Beach.
*TARDIS press mold from my carved luminary.
*Mixed mason stains into porcelain! Also have purple & pink.

21st Day Artcomplishments

Tiles bisqued & ready for paint! Big Blue Meanie & Love Hand (2nd set) started. Owl eagerly awaits his turn.
Picked up pieces trusted to highfire: the porcelain wrap cup (blue flow) turned out beautifully - perfect bottom waxing; the porcelain bowl is a "fail, fix, fail, fun" piece. First, the super duper thin slab caught on the roller exit & accordioned in entirety. I then smoothed the slab back to flat & slumped it over a mold, folded it & prayed. Surprised to see it survive bisque, I wanted all the battle scars to remain visible! I dunked it in clear & prayed s'more. (Porcelain has strong memory, I feared it would re-accordion in the kiln) Today it emerged from the kiln - *glaze* FAIL. I tapped the sides & was rewarded worth the MOST beautiful tone! Because the glaze failed, it also failed to dampen the acoustic potential. I had no idea! It's like the sound of crystal!
Cannot wait for tomorrow's adventure.

Art Challenge XX

Wedged, wedged, wedged & wetted.
Then rolled some porcelain & whipped up 2 bowls + 2 tiles.
And found a bored engineer willing to build me a treehouse!

Artspiration Found on Nineteenth Day

The mold, the method... complete. Almost.
I can't wait for the next one.