Nothing like an overdramatic title, hmm? Sorry- I’ve been revising my WIP. Makes me kooky. But today I wanted to bring you the story of the teapot I screwed up. And then fixed. And finally fell in love with. Eventually.
Usually when I paint, I’ve learned that I prefer to paint at home. Where I can take my time.
I hadn’t quite learned that yet when in…hmm, late April or early May I believe, I painted this teapot. In studio. While helping my 5 yo paint her cup. And feeding the baby with one hand. Which left me one hand to paint, and not a lot of time. I suspected this might be the case, but did I resist the lure of an unusual shaped teapot? Not a chance. 😉
Now, I knew at the time I didn’t have time for the detail work. And I planned to do that later using glass enamel paints that set in the oven after the initial painting was done.
What I hadn’t anticipated was 1) the shadowing of the small piece of detailing I was dumb enough to attempt. Or 2) how the design that had originally attracted me began to frustrate me with it’s…oddness. I was ticked with myself for screwing it up and worse (for a cheapskate like me) wasting the money on it. See the teapot (and the shadowing) above.
I brought it home after firing, and began to work on the painting on either side. It was okay. I loved the rich blue color. I thought the contrast of the new copper paint was attractive. Others liked it. I felt…meh. I started it down the path to become a “writer’s teapot” with the peacock motif. I liked it a little more, but still regretted I hadn’t thought of it at the original painting and thus had it fired properly. I decided I didn’t even want to keep it, and offered it to a friend, who clearly saw something I didn’t.
I’d finished both sides, and still wasn’t satisfied. At this point, it wasn’t even “my” teapot any longer since I’d promised it to someone who’d give it a loving home (obscure fact: teapots all want loving homes. Just like less-messy puppies.) And then I did the detail work on the spout, lid, and handle. This is admittedly my favorite part of the teapot to paint.
And suddenly –FINALLY– the teapot came into its own, and I fell in love. I can’t wait until I can give it to it’s new owner, who deserved a teapot at least half as lovely as she is. 🙂
What do you think? Sometimes it’s all about adding the last few details which just finish off a project, isn’t it? 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. And remember: what happens in the craft room, stays in the craft room. Happy creating!
Craft Room Chronicles 