Rachelle Chinnery: Studio Ceramist

The studio struggle is officially over.  My first day at work in this gorgeous space took me from morning to evening, forgetting to eat or drink.   Just as I had imagined, I was lost in work.  I threw, I read, I wrote.  It was a complete day.

My new wheel performed admirably!  Funny thing was learning to throw without engine cues from my old wheel.  Sound had become part of the throwing process – high pitch for centering, low whirl to shape, deep purr for the wind down.  This wheel – a Shimpo – is almost sound free.

I’ve dedicated one corner of the space to a study area where I can read and write in silence and without disturbance by the phone or distraction by family members.  My friend Martha came through with this wildly out of place table – that comes with 3 inserts and could comfortably seat 12! It was dining room table brown, and I black glossed it up.  Its brass lions paw feet are the crowning glory.  This table will see a lot of me, so I welcome it as a full stripe member of the studio.  It’s been a long haul from the first chilly days in the trailer.