Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Resolutions

My role model (with his subtle purple hat)...

I am so thankful for the many blessings of last year. We welcomed a new baby, Andrew, into our family. My friend and nephew, Chris, was safe in Yemen. Personally, I think we all willed this safety to happen through prayer, constant worry, and through daily visits to the BBC News website, in order to ensure that all was well in Yemen for yet another day. I watched my capable niece, Jordan, struggle to find a job, and to finally find success, after not giving up hope. I was able to move my classroom without any major mishaps or injuries. I learned some hard art lessons, that frankly, needed to be learned. During the year, I felt grateful for the toughness and resilience of my brother and my sisters. I learned that my dad is even more faithful, dogged, and determined than I ever thought possible. And, I received the greatest blessing of all: the chance to spend more time with my mom and to be a "new and improved" daughter.

So what will 2014 bring? Well, here are a few resolutions that I don't mind sharing with you…

1) I will channel Christopher Foyle at my workplace. This means feeling confident about my skills and
    my choices. I will not allow others to rope me into their junk, but will stay focused and steadfast in
    my goal to try to do what is right for kids. 

2) I will continue to job hunt over here on this side of the hill, taking a page from Jordan's book.

3) I will avoid getting sidetracked by the irrelevant, and will focus on my ethics as a person. I was 
    recently reading about Matisse. He was lamenting that he didn't paint like other people. Yet, he 
    continued to do what he needed to do, and to do it well. That is admirable. I feel that almost daily,
    there are roadblocks and issues that divert me from doing what is best. May I climb over these 
    roadblocks in 2014. And, climb over them without grousing or fretting. 

Self-portrait of Henri Matisse...

4) I will continue to make things. Sometimes it's difficult to balance time and energy in a busy life.
    But, I will continue to place great importance on creativity. This means that I need to take time out
    to exercise, walk the dog, and eat off of real plates. This past year, I took a lot of shortcuts with my
    health, and paid a high price.

5) I will stop dying my hair. This seems kind of superficial, but I've earned my gray hair over the years. 
    Also, I don't want to be that 80 year-old woman with jet black hair.

6) I will take time out to enjoy the simple things, and to be a better sister and friend. Sitting in the 
    backyard is fine, it's a good use of time! Friends fill the soul.

7) I will read more books. My reading has really trailed off in the past few months. Here's to getting 
    back on track.

Eating at this restaurant every day is the goal...



Monday, December 30, 2013

Basket Season

Starting coil baskets for students...

It's that time of year again, where I go basket crazy. I like to teach my students about the traditional basket makers of California. The best way to teach about baskets, is to have every student make one! Because the baskets are tricky for little hands to start, I usually start a basket for each student. Each year, I make my own decorative basket. This year's model is made with eggplant colored string, and purple and white striped string. Hopefully, I'll get it finished pretty soon!

My favorite basket makers were the members of the Pomo tribe. They made several types of utilitarian baskets for cooking and carrying. However, their decorative storage baskets are amazing. They started with a simple coiled basket, and added feathers, beads, and shells. More is more. 


Kitchen cupboards come in handy...
My basket this year...
Feathers woven into the coils...
Shell and feather rim ornament...
Feathers arranged in a pattern...
Abalone beaded ornaments...
Love this one...



Sending Off Work: PVAC Show



I was invited to place some pieces in a show at the Pajaro Valley Arts Council Gallery. The show is entitled "Take Aways: Art To Go". It is a show that features affordable art work for the average home. There are many unbelievably talented local artists in this show. When I was delivering my pieces, it was hard not to make my own "hold" post-its for work that I was coveting. The show will take place from January 15 through February 16.





This wall piece is in the show...

These wall pieces were made especially for the show...

This baking powder shrine is up for sale...

As is this tobacco shrine...

This shrine will also be available...

As will this slender shell shrine...

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Pie for Ma

This place has some yummy olallieberry pies...
It's a family farm...
One for me, and one for mom...
Sweet tooth souvenirs from mom...


Saturday, December 28, 2013

Voila Un Assiette

The latest crop with sanded colors on brown clay...

I've been experimenting with plates during the last year. I am a believer in practice making near-perfect. So, I've made a lot of plates, searching for an even, non-transparent glaze finish. The bottoms of the plates are not glazed, and are rough with canvas texture. The plate surface is glossy with clear glaze. The contrast is pleasing, almost like enamel, with the brown clay. I finally realized that several layers of underglaze make the finish smooth. I'm talking six layers! Lately, I've been adding different colors, and then sanding into the layers. I like seeing the raw clay underneath. Studies and practice will definitely continue. The possibilities are endless. Just check out this blog: http://aplateaday.blogspot.com



The black wash gives the textured details definition...
More plates ready for firing...

Friday, December 27, 2013

Belated Presents

Putting on the edging...
Molding some leaves...
Wiring up some leaves...
Ready for some decoration...
A wall heart for lunch lady Jeana...
A wall heart for Mrs. O'Connor, the most patient person alive...
A trade for Betty...

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

To Fix or Not to Fix



Every now and again, things don't work out. Clay is often a metaphor for life. This piece had some problems with joints separating. I saved it, while trying to decide whether or not to try to repair the joints. This morning, I decided that it might just be easier to cannibalize the wired parts. So, I'm going to take it outside, and crack the background panel, in order to release all of the leaves and flowers. It will probably just be easier to make a new background panel! Kind of a modified "do-over"...

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Christmas Present Spree

My favorite shopping place in Monterey...
My favorite house in Monterey is for lease...
Ethereal attire on a stained, crusty bust form...
Not sure how they feel about all of the present buying...
Love almost everything in this hat cabinet...
Pretty pillbox with gloves...
On the way home from Carmel...

Driving by this landmark...

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

12th Anniversary (Part Deux)

The bathroom still needs a lot of work...

Celebrating the 12th Anniversary of my home. Here are some photos of the boudoir, the bathroom, and the kitchen. Cameo shots are included of the fellow inmates…


LuLu is as old as the house...
Heads up in the bedroom...
Jewelrylandia...
The kitchen sink...
Fine dining...
A picture of pitchers...
Mabel keeps things interesting...
Betty is the grand dame of our home...