Saturday, September 26, 2015

You Will Be Greatly Missed...



Today I attended the funeral mass of a former colleague. It was a beautiful service. The words spoken by Michelle's husband were so touching. Two of the teachers who made up the first grade team at my former school gave lovely talks. They spoke of Michelle's strength and her dedication to her job. It was a testament to Michelle that members of a very divided and embittered staff could come together in order to honor her memory. Years of mismanagement and an unfair entitlement program being located at the school, have left much bad feeling on that campus. Michelle was always above the fray. She worked for years, tirelessly, to organize activities that brought the staff together. Potato Day was always a high point for me. Michelle would bake numerous potatoes, and then we would bring toppings to share. It was one of the few times that I would actually eat lunch with my coworkers. I think Michelle knew right where to get me, in order to force me to behave better!

Michelle's daughter attended design school. When her classes were completed, Michelle donated paints, mat board, paper, and brushes to me. She didn't want them to go to waste, and she knew that I would use them. This happened on a couple of occasions. The brushes are perfect for glazing plates. They glide into all of the nooks and crannies perfectly. I think of Michelle every time I get ready to work on plates. And, I feel gratitude for her generosity. But, mostly, I am thankful for the conversations that we had about family and about battling cancer. She listened to me talk about my mom's leukemia, and shared her own feelings about her struggle. I am so grateful for her example.

As I listened to Michelle's close friend speak to Michelle's husband about the difficulty of writing and preparing their remarks for the service, I started to tear up. What a hard struggle it has been for family and friends. What a void Michelle will leave. I always think of her as being a peacemaker. Only a peacemaker could bring everyone together for a party after the service. The slideshow of Michelle and her family was very dear. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant...








Thursday, September 24, 2015

Put Down That Spoon, Punkin'

From Kentucky...

Our class made pumpkin rattles today. It seemed like a Fall Equinox kind of thing to do. The rattles are made by attaching two pinch pots together. I came up with the idea of making a small envelope of paper which holds the rattle components inside, and keeps them from sticking to the sides of the rattle interior during the first firing. The envelope conveniently burns up during the bisque firing. I warned the students that they would go into a sort of zen hypnotic state, when paddling their pumpkins with their wooden spoons. No one listened. A few deflated pumpkins were the result. I think we might need to get the spoons out and paddle some random shapes. It actually IS very relaxing...

There were three parent helpers today. I always like to have the parents make what we're making. Seriously, Alina's dad and Haley's mom have some clay chops. Lovely work. The kid work was inspirational, as always. They just make it happen, and it seems effortless and free.


Some had vines and leaves...

Very creative stems...

Excellent organic shapes...

These are going into the kiln with my telephones...

Helping to load the car...


Sunday, September 20, 2015

Weekend Open Studios Prep

Having to move tons of heavy books...
Packing them up for storage in the garage...
Taking a second to cool off with Winston...
A box of books in French, and Thomas Hardy novels...
Now I know why the contractor named her Speed Bump...
Unending supply of literature...
Dinner with Liz Crain, to talk about art stuff...
Starting to arrange the plate wall and the credenza...


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Ash Wednesday



I spent four years with the meanest, most manipulative man alive. He invented mental cruelty. It was soul crushing. When I finally decided to walk away, I had to literally rebuild my life. It took a while. And, one of the decisions that I made, was that I wouldn't blithely trust anymore. I would give people three chances or strikes. Only three. For several years, Post Kurt, this served me well. But slowly, over time, I lowered my guard, and started allowing for a little more nonsense from people. I wouldn't cut them loose as quickly, and energetically as I once had. This has proved to be a mistake.

I was given a sales pitch, to place my work in a "gallery"/showroom by a friend of some friends. There was no contract. This should have been a red flag, as all galleries have contracts. I sold some work. The payment for the work was very late. Honestly, I stopped keeping track, because my mom was in the hospital. Then she went to a care home, and I actually forgot about the money being owed to me. I didn't nag. Recently, I sold more work. I have now waited for two and a half months for my payment. I've received two different "oh, I'll take care of it" messages. And, I've received one "the check is in the mail" email. And yet, each day, when I go to the mailbox, there is nothing.

So, this is my official day of giving up. Lesson learned. I'm not very business savvy. But, I will be scrupulously careful next time. And, this makes me sad, because art is all about generosity, sharing, friendship, etc. But, this will be the last time that I sit in a pile of ashes, because I've been burned. Please feel free to picture my left fist waving emphatically in the air as I type this.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Multitasking.

Adding first undercoats of color on these wall hearts...

Unloaded these student flat faces from the kiln...

The turquoise got cancelled out by the black...

Loading up the faces, and bringing wire to make the hangers...

Finished plates came out of the kiln...

Monday, September 7, 2015

Every Knick Knack Tells a Story

The bathroom shelves...
The medicine cabinet was literally, full of rubble...
Moved the cabinet back into the bathroom...
The angels are back...
The laundry room is now decked out...
Found this cabinet to hold detergent, towels, and pet food...
The kitchen table is ready for action...
Restoring the magnet collage to the fridge...
Next week, I have to empty the living room for Open Studios...

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Familia Weekend

We celebrated two birthdays...
Gabriel was officially named and blessed at church...
This guy kept me entertained during the service...
A small side trip to the nearby flea market...
No more globes, I swear, no matter how cool they are...
Love these trays of trinkets...
African beads in subtle colors...
A few folksy portraits...
The beginnings of a handsome wallet...
Love these color combinations...

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Phone Home

Detailing the telephones...

Love this black one...

Cleaning up the dial...

This one is part of a totem...