Odd Treasure

I usually don't do this type of post and don't let the picture offend you, let me explain. This drawing hangs in my studio. It's very special to me because it's a portrait of me drawn by my brother. He was three years older so when I was a lowly Freshman in High School he was a Senior. He made sure I didn't get picked on much. It was probably my favorite year of school and it's because my brother, my friend and hero was there. We had lots of inside jokes which included him calling me Bitch and me calling him F#%^head. One night while I was doing homework he cranked out this little gem. I love the one huge foot and the little hand with the middle finger up. I was never that skinny though. I don't think anyone would think of him as an artist, but this is a Mona Lisa to me.

This is the 21st Anniversary of his death. The other day I realized that this meant I have lived more years without him then I had with him. This realization caught me off guard and stirred up lots of emotions. I thought back to the gray painful days when it first happened and how for years February was so difficult to get through. Then I remembered the March that I realized I made it through February and it wasn't as painful. I was healing. This was a few years after I met the man I married.  It's as if a piece of a puzzle was missing and he gave it back to me. Not quite the same shape, but it still fit. I've always had a happy life, but there was just that little hole in my heart and it got patched.

I still have a pin hole that could never be filled by anyone but my big brother, but my life is once again filled with friendships, companionship, laughter, love and new inside jokes. I'm grateful I had a big brother and especially one that I was friends with and so close to. I really don't think there has been a single day in 21 years that I have not thought about him a little bit. He is always in my heart and because of this portrait, always in my studio.

Sweet Deal

In 2011 I was selected to take part in the Clackamas County Art Alliance Exhibit. My work was displayed for three months in a showcase in the Development Services Building in Oregon City. While walking through the building an art lover fell in love with a soda fired pitcher and contacted me about purchasing it. We played phone tag a few times, but finally got to chat and I discovered she and her husband are apiarists. I jumped on the chance to barter for goods. A bargain was struck and I traded my pitcher for three quarts of honey and a little beeswax.  It worked out for Eric and I to drive out and meet Nancy from Mountain Meadow Honey at her house. Nancy greeted me and was so excited to be reunited with the pitcher she had eyed months before. She was already well versed in ceramics and has wonderful art throughout her beautiful home. I wish I could have chatted longer with her and look forward to meeting up with her again. Mountain Meadow Honey, which now I know is fantastic, is available at Bob's Red Mill. I'm a big fan of the barter system and this deal sure was sweet.

2012 is shaping up to be another busy and exciting year with new adventures in life and clay. As I'm updating my blog I'm also thinking "get int he studio and make pots" I have several firings coming up to prepare for and I always wait till the last minute and turn myself into a stressed out ball of whim. I have time, it's January and if I stick to my guns now I'll be set for the TWO firings in March. I have an unbelievable opportunity to fire with Jack Troy at Soulgama while he is in the area for NCECA. In the picture above I am reading an article written by Jack. He is an amazing potter, poet and writer. I'm ready to get my mind blown by all his insight on all things, not just ceramics. On that note I better get in the studio and make some pots I'm proud to put in the kiln next to one of his. No pressure...none at all...sigh

I am proud to be an exhibiting artist in the Clackamas County Art Alliance Public Art Exhibit.  My work and the work of a wood turner are being displayed in the Development Services Building 3D showcase.

I'm very excited to be part of this program this year and I hope people will take a moment from their busy schedules to take a look and learn more about local artists.

BRAND FIRE Show at MHCC Visual Arts Gallery

From now till September 2nd my one woman show is up at the Mt. Hood Community College Visual Arts Gallery. The Reception night is August 4th from 5:30pm-9pm.

I'm really excited to be showing this body of work and hope you have a chance to check it out. There is so much to see by looking closely at the surfaces. The postcard is a nod to that idea of moving in and looking at all the atmospheric firing creates of the surface of my work. There are ash drips, crystal formations, ash peppering, blushing and traces of the flames.

Mt. Hood Community College Gresham Campus is located at:

26000 SE Stark St
Gresham, Oregon 97030
(503)491-6422

Back to the grind

This week we are experiencing very nice weather and I'm grateful. I have lots of new pots that need attention. After unloading the kiln a wood-fire potter then needs to check every piece and grind off wads or ash that still remain. I'm on day three of this process, but things are looking good and I have the end in sight. Next step is to price them and pack them.

The first picture is of the tools I've been using. A Dremel, very important wood-fire potter tool, and my silicon carbide tip is almost completely used up. I wear a mask while working since I'm creating lots of nasty dust and of course the lovely sanding pads make a nice final finish.

The second shot is of a few pieces just plucked from the kiln. I've been doing goblets, funky shallow bowls, soap dishes and stripes. I'm digging the stripes.

Just Days Away

I'm counting down the days till the 29th Annual Ceramic Showcase. This is such an exciting event for the members of the Oregon Potters Association. We work on putting this show together all year round. We meet monthly to discuss the details of all aspects of this show. We run this show entirely with volunteers. From the set up to the tear down each participant in the show has a job to do. We have a central sales area so you can shop the entire show and check out all at once instead of making multiple purchases from individual artists. We will also have UPS on site for shipping directly from our show.

There is a nice map that is put together so you don't miss anything. We have demonstrations, music scheduled for Friday and Saturday evening, Clay Play areas so you can try it out for yourself and beautiful galleries set up to showcase our finest work. It's a labor of love and I hope you will join us.