Toy Store

This is not exactly what it looks like when Betty gets a trim...

These two look like a fun couple...

If only it were this easy...

Bought these as spelling rewards...

Recent Sculpture Experiments

Ready for the last firing...

Not too psyched...

Like the two blues...

Two donkey obelisks, heading off to the kiln...

Here and There, Now and Then

One more coat of black, and then some sanding...

It's always difficult to find the time to create at the end of the year. School is pretty demanding. Report cards, Open House, placement cards, supply orders, reports, and the end of the year checklist all require attention. So, this is initial glazing from the last three weekends. When school is over, I'll have more time to start some projects in wet clay.

Three coats of blue...

Four coats of green...

Four coats on the polka dots, and then some sanding...

First coats on this obelisk...

This has different shades of blue in layers...

After sanding, now the birdies need attention...

Alma Mater

An impossible back bend...

I paid a visit to my mom today. She had just recently returned from surgery to remove more skin cancer. The doctors had removed a sizable chunk of her scalp, and she was feeling terrible. My dad said that she was in so much pain, she hadn't slept for two nights. But, she was putting on a brave face for my visit. My mom has endured so many medical problems during her life.  It feels endless. And, she is so patient with it all. My dad humbly thanked all of her doctors during his blessing over our dinner. After I left, I was feeling very blue. So, I drove down the road and visited a place full of happy memories.

My elementary school was a place that I loved. Even though it was painted institutional apple green, and it shared the same name as a prison, I liked attending school there. At the front entrance was a flagpole, surrounded by a large open box with a ceramic mural. I always loved to touch the tiles of the mural. This school was the first place that I used clay. Our school had a kiln, and we all made many projects.  Art was important, it was actively taught.

The last time that I visited the school was about two years ago. The tile mural has long since been relocated, but it still exists after 45 years.  There are beautiful native plant gardens in between the wings of classrooms, and there are some new painted murals and sculptures. It makes me so happy that the school is still such a friendly, welcoming place. 

I want to thank Ruth Ann Harrison. I never had her as a teacher, and she taught at the school way before my time, but I know that she probably had a hand in purchasing the kiln at the school. I owe her and some of my teachers there a huge debt of gratitude. 

The theme was interests and activities...

The dog's leash is a real chain...

I remember touching the numbers...

And, I remember the impossible guitar angle...

What a great book...

Thank you so much...

I was in this wing for many grade levels...

Formerly Mrs. Callahan's second grade room...

The hill where we played "All Horses Run"...

Apricots on the multipurpose room...

Reliquary Researches

I'm thinking about making some ceramic shrines and reliquaries this summer, so I've been doing some research on the subject. Here are some photos from my hunts. Maybe my future reliquaries will be mixed media. Just thinking out loud. Enjoy…

The House of Steinbeck's Sister

I drive past this house every morning on my commute. It stands out, because it is so large and lovely. I never knew the history of the house, until today. It was built in the 1870's by James and Malvina Rodgers. Later it was owned by John Steinbeck's oldest sister, Esther Steinbeck Rodgers. In 1998, it was moved in three pieces to the fairgrounds, from its location on East Lake Avenue in Watsonville. I noticed that the woodwork on the house was extremely fine. And, the restoration work was meticulous. I'd love to go inside!

A Visit to the Goat Hill Fair

Followed the signs...

Absolutely gorgeous pedal car...

Bought one of these cement heads to paint...

Loved the strawberry child's hat...

Small baking tins...

The well-dressed nurse...

Block collection...

Circus animal necklace...

Games and playing cards...

Emperor's wreath...

Finally back home...