Wednesday, December 31, 2014

It's a New Year



While I was working on this piece in the shed today, I was reflecting on the past year. I was thinking about some of the things that I have learned during 2014. One of the greatest lessons that I have learned, is to say "No, Thank You" to many of the things that are personally worrisome or irritating to me. It's sage advice from my friend, Christine. Let other people hold their "negative stuff" dear, I'm not interested in taking part.

I began last year with that philosophy, and it served me well during the last few months of my job. People who want to be unhappy or miserable are not the kind of people that I want in my life. It's amazing that it has taken me so long to figure out this little gem of an idea! I used to work on a team with a group of teachers, who were very negative. I'm not entirely sure why they were teaching children, they certainly didn't seem to like them very much. Any new idea or innovation was resisted, in favor of the status quo. There were a lot of meetings filled with complaining, or with ideas about how to control kids, not to actually teach them. One of the teachers pointedly harassed me, screamed at me in front of students, destroyed the artwork my class had donated to the school, tattled on me to my boss, sent me ranting emails, and generally behaved like a complete nut case. When Christine mentioned her philosophy of "No, Thank You" to me, it was after spending a few years putting up with this behavior. It seemed refreshing to realize that I didn't have to be burdened with mitigating the negativity, I could just shut it off, and turn on my heel. Silence is often said to imply consent, but "No, Thank You" says that you actually want no part of the negativity.

Growing up, we learned in Sunday School, that we were searching in life for "anything that is lovely or of good report". I firmly believe that my life has finally taken a turn in this direction. Better late, than never. There is so very much to bring us down, and to hurt us in this world. But, conversely, there is so very much that can uplift us, make us better people. I am looking forward to the exciting new opportunities that 2015 will bring.



Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Half Moon Bay Cure All

Identified some birds with Angela's phone app...

Today was a rough day for my mom and for us. She was given some medication that had pretty terrible side effects. Then, she had to be given antipsychotic medication, to calm her down, after watching the news on the t.v. in her hospital room. It was really hard to see a capable, independent person completely change before my eyes. As the steroids are finally eased out of her body, I'm hoping that she'll be more like herself. In the meantime, I took a short drive up the peninsula to my brother's house. We went over to the coast and had some lunch, before returning back to the hospital. It definitely helped to clear my head. Towards evening, my mom was able to eat her dinner, and to brush her teeth. She seemed more calm and relaxed when I finally left to drive home.


Looking out at Half Moon Bay...
Waiting for the tide change...
Barbara's Fish Trap...
Talking about the future...
Added a few more rows...
Requesting a medication list...

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Glaze Frenzy

One month of drying in the warm house...
Three coats of white, and four coats of color, soon to be sanded...
The mask matches my jammies...
Sanding to add warmth and age...
And now, some green glaze pencil to accentuate the dots...
Off to the kiln...
The kitchen is now back to normal-ish...

Friday, December 26, 2014

Respite

Christmas was changed to New Year's Day...

Making flowers and leaves...

I took some time out from visiting my mom in the hospital, to work on some clay projects. This is her second stay during the past two months. We were able to spend Christmas Day with her in the Critical Care Unit, thanks to the kind doctors and nurses. They think that she will be able to go home before New Year's Day. On each visit, her breathing and her oxygen absorption seem to improve.

I'm hoping to enter the Richmond Art Center show in February with a wall piece, or an arbol de vida. So, I'm making a few wall pieces to hedge my bets. Hopefully, one or two will survive, and be glazed, in order to meet the entry deadline.

Setting up the backing on this skinny heart...

Hoping to have a bird in the blue sky on this one...

Super thin, pointy heart...

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Back to Wet Clay, After an Awkward Pause...

Making flowers...
Working on two at once...
Producing leaves...
Now we're ready to add them to the backing...
South African art trade...
Richmond Art Center contest possibility...

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Reflection

The Greening Hills
Present Delivery

I had to run some errands back over the mountain today. It felt so foreign to drive the road that I had commuted on for 14 years. While in a store buying thank you cards, I ran into two former students. Both were super warm and friendly. It was great to see them. I was able to deliver packages to William and his little sister, and to visit one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Driggs. It seems like I made a good decision in leaving a school where I had invested so much of myself. In the end, the students are what remains. You share memories and connections with each individual.  Seeing Jessica and Kyle today, made me feel reassured in thinking that I always worked hard and tried hard at Rucker.


Cow Corner
Wind Break
Fenceline
Lone Oak

Inspiration: Paul Dachsel

















Sunday, December 14, 2014

Visual Treats in Berkeley

Lovely old gigantic sign in a lighting store...

Today, Liz Crain and I went to Berkeley for a visit to the Berkeley Potters Guild. And, on our way, we got sidetracked on Fourth Street. I definitely did some holiday shopping damage! It was great talking to Liz all day… She always helps me to put things in perspective. Today was good fuel for the work that I'm planning to do during Christmas Break.  It has been so long...

Handmade glass hair ornaments and pins...
Alexis Berger models her work...
Some little friends are waiting...
Venetian chandeliers...
Awesome ceramic signage around town...
I would take piano lessons again, if I could practice here...
Banner behind a cash register...
Would die to have this in my humble abode...
Fabulous fish tacos...
The top of Sarah Gregory's kiln shelves...
My new Lynn Landor cups...
A fabulous bag from Liz Crain...