Two Artists Talk About The Finishing Stage.

Terry Grant

Susan Gallacher-Turner

Starting a project or piece of art is filled with excitement and anticipation.  There’s possibility in the air, a sense of adventure and energy picking up the clay, cloth, paper and paint.  But getting close to the finish line, the endings can be filled with completely different feelings.

“It’s a little slow and boring,” said fiber artist, Terry Howard Grant. This week, Terry was working on mounting work on stretcher bars and framing a new collection of small pieces.   “I finished the backsides with artists tape, a hanging wire and a label with my name, email address and information about the care of a textile work. I like a nice, neat back on my work.”

Here’s a picture of the back of one of Terry’s finished fiber art pieces.

For ceramic artist, Susan Gallacher-Turner, finishing is not her favorite part of making art, either.  “It’s messy, boring and requires incredible patience. Unfortunately, I’m not a very patient person.”

This week, Susan was glazing each cup, bowl and vase inside and out.  “The glaze has to be mixed with a drill mixer and measured out in exact proportions with water. Then the process goes like this: position the pot, remix and pour the glaze, wipe off drips, scrape leftover glaze back into pouring container, and remix the glaze.  Repeat.”

Here’s a picture of Susan’s studio shelves with glazed clay work waiting for the kiln.

Although neither Terry nor Susan loves doing the finishing work, they both agree it must be done and it can bring some good feelings, too.

“It produces a nice feeling of satisfaction when I have a group of work all ready for a show,” said Terry of the finished pieces above.

“It all must be done so each piece is functional and when the glaze turns out well, it’s really worth it all,” said Susan.

To read more about Terry and Susan’s art process, check out their blogs listed on our blog list to your right.  Terry’s blog is And Sew It Goes.  Susan’s blog is Sculpting A Life.