Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Fantastic News


This teapot is getting ready to travel to the Berkshires to be part of The Ferrin Gallery's upcoming exhibition, Teapots: Interpretations. I'll get a better photograph up soon but I was just so excited to be part of the show I had to share the news. The exhibition opens July 11th and I'm humbled to be included in the show with so many amazing potters.

I'll pass more info along as it comes in.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Off To Castle Hill


Off to Castle Hill to start teaching my workshop! I'm excited and even though the weather is cold and damp, we'll figure out how to get a good bunch of work done.

I'll try to report in later today.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day

This is what Alejandra brought home from school for Father's Day. I love the list!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Mini-Sidewalk Sale!


There's a little sidewalk sale in town today that I decided to take part in at the last minute.

I'm not a member of the merchants group anymore since we're moving, but one of the other members was kind enough to call and let me know about it. Thanks Janet!

I set up a table out front with what I left of my older work and a few seconds....all at very good prices.

I'll be here from 10 until about 2. That's when, if all goes according to plan, I'll be heading off Cape to Chris Gustin's place for the Watershed Benefit.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Boxing Up



I've finally started to pack up some stuff from the house and shelves are beginning to appear from under pots, sculptures and more.  Our move to Austin date is official now of August 12th but I wanted to get a head start so I'm not stressed during the entire summer.  So far, 8 boxes of pots and other things from our house collection are packed.  Most are from various rooms and shelves so these aren't even our everyday use pots.  Those are getting packed shortly as I wait for a delivery of more boxes from Uline.  

The house, even though it's overwhelming, pales in comparison to what I need to do in the studio.  I'm typically only allowed to bring certain things into the house so we don't get too cluttered.  My office and my studio are a different story.  

These two places seem to be where stuff goes when I don't know what else to do with it.  The answer to that question for a normal person would be: give it away or throw it out.  I prefer to make piles and then figure out how to maneuver around it in order to keep working.  For instance, In order to mix glazes for tests last week I had to move piles of boxes and old, old pots to create a sawhorse table to work on.  Those pots need to find a home or a hammer.  The boxes could probably use a trip to the recycling center.  

I was planning on this week being a dedicated throwing week but it doesn't seem to be working out that way.  I gave myself until the end of June to work wet, but I may extend that a little.  I have a few more things I'd like to make but I also just need to start winding down the studio operations and start cleaning and packing.  I'm intent on only bringing what's absolutely necessary to start back up again once I find a place in Austin.  I'll have plenty of time to fill up that space with useless junk...no need to bring any from the Cape.  My best pots will be heading off to some galleries later this week so that will clear up even more space.

The next couple of weeks should blow by really quickly.  My class at Castle Hill starts on Monday.  I'm really excited about it and looking forward to starting off the summer by teaching.  Watching this fantastic video about cups with Pete Pinnell gave me some good ideas for the class.

After my class, Aysha Peltz is teaching a 3 Day workshop and I signed up for it.  Her class is going to focus on covered jars.  That is a form that I never have felt too comfortable with.  Probably because I haven't made enough to let it develop as part of my vocabulary.  I haven't taken a hands-on workshop since I started my studio 12 years ago and I'm really looking forward to it.  I think taking a class will be a nice way to begin my hiatus from making new pots.  When I find a space in Austin, I'm looking forward to going in fresh with some new ideas and less clutter.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Off to Orlando

My Sister-in-Law graduates from her fellowship program tomorrow and we're going down to celebrate with Evangelina's family.  We're coming back Saturday so it will be a very quick trip.  Evangelina's grandmother is coming in from El Salvador and it should be fun as we take her to see the sites.  She is intent on going to Epcot Center so we may be doing a little bit of tourist stuff.   

Oh, and what is my surgeon sister-in-law going to practice........Colo-Rectal Surgery!  
I hope the dinner conversation topics aren't work related.

We fly out of Boston mid-day while the kids stay here with my folks...Thank you!  Hopefully it stops raining because we're in the middle of torrential rainstorms right now.  

Map from Lonely Planet

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

A Couple of Mugs

Fluted mug with Willy's Helix, Pinnell Clear on the inside.

I was playing around with some color on this one. I think a combo of a little dust and too thick of an application with the clear glaze caused a little crawling on the rim.

I love the white though and look forward to thinning the glaze out and using it again. Too bad I only have about 30 pounds of porcelain left. Something to look forward to in Austin I guess.