My knee is undoubtedly mended and solidly back together. Every week is a little improvement and now I just have to get stronger. During my last physical therapy session I got measured for leg strength symmetry. Basically my recovering leg if half as strong as my good leg. Wow! I didn’t realize it was that weak but when I try to do things with only that leg, I can really tell. So I have ever more difficult exercises to do and longer walks to take every day. I can tell it’s working but man, some of[…]
It Sure Feels Like Summer!
It sure feels like summer around here and since I haven’t been working, I feel a bit like a kid again! Summer makes me think of care free days, watermelon and when I was a teenager-sun bathing and fashion mags! Now it’s all sunscreen, fans and avoiding the heat. But I still love watermelon. I’m able to walk with one crutch now and I’m feeling stronger in my injured leg all the time. I spend a lot of time thinking about how I’m walking as I move around. It’s pretty funny, I never had to concentrate[…]
Things are Getting Better all the Time!
I’d like to offer another big, humble thank you to everyone who has been helping me with everything in my life! Recently it’s been a medley of watering the garden, grocery shopping for me and even assistance with taxes. Not to mention the always available, on-call help my family graciously offers. Thanks everyone! And with extra help from the studio elves and students, the kilns are getting loaded and unloaded and everyone’s work is getting fired. So this class session is wrapping up almost on time. I’m not sure about the timing of the next session[…]
It Only Took a Second
A little over a week ago while doing some much needed spring yard cleanup, my life abruptly stopped–it only took a second. While standing in the bed of our pickup, pruning a tree in our front yard, I fell out of the truck onto the sidewalk and broke my knee. It was so fast and unexpected, shocking really. The branch I was leaning on broke and a fraction of a second later I was on the sidewalk. Ughh!!I could tell it was bad and I felt like an idiot! I tried to move, to stand up and figure out a way to get to[…]
The Secret World of Firing
When you are a student of ceramics or working at a public studio, there is a part of the process that you never get involved with—the firings. You make your pieces, glaze them carefully and full of anticipation you put them on a designated shelf. At some point, they just come back to you finished! The whole transformative process of firing is hidden. This is not a deliberate ploy–it’s just expedient and safe. Handling other people’s work is a responsibility and understanding a particular kiln with the many possible firing plans takes a lot of experience[…]
New Year and New Plans!
Happy New Year everyone! This last year rocketed by with a mix of opportunities, changes, some successes and some disappointments. All of it needs a moment just so I can evaluate what happened! I started off early in the year with the opportunity to get professional feedback on my local sand pieces. This led me to develop and refine my first line of functional work-‘Coastal’. Doing that led me to develop another line of work-‘Color Block’.The process of developing something that I keep on making instead of small batches of exploratory work has been really interesting.[…]
It’s that time of year again!
Another year is drawing to a close with shorter days and very cold mornings in the studio. It’s almost time for looking back at how things went this year but right now it’s still full speed ahead! I have three shows in the next two weeks and I’m trying to get as much work finished as possible.10 soup mugs – check 28 mugs in white clay – check 4 butter boxes – check 3 big bowls – check 10 little plates – check 8 various spoons – check 3 coffee pour overs – check 60 mugs,[…]
Many, Many Thanks!
There’s a lot going on in our world and a lot more disruption to come but every day I’m reminded that life moves forward – regardless.So we will keep going, working hard, keeping the creative flame alive and spreading light however we can. Remember the people and things in your life that bring you joy! You are all part of what brings happiness to my life and I’m incredibly grateful for your support on my clay journey! I’ve been working hard to make enough ware for this time of year and I’m almost there. Your encouragement[…]