Art hands at work

E was in her studio today which provided an opportunity for a blip. Usually her hands are inside thick welder's gloves to protect from sparks and hot metal. However, today she was working on a clay piece and exploring some idea another way.

The fingers work the clay, flicking small pieces off, pressing it into place, moulding it until it is part of the piece and stroking it until it disappears. The next piece of clay is then taken and the process repeated. From time to time, more vigorous attention is needed and wooden tools are called upon, clutched by those same fingers to sculpt a shape that wasn't there before.

A lifetime of sculpting can take its toll with joints thickened by arthritis. There are still plenty of sculptures yet to do.