NEW YORK CITY!

Wonderful trip to New York!! One of the highlights of course, was the opening at Fischbach Gallery of Patrick Gordon's exquisite translations of the Dutch Masters.
A dear friend and an amazing artist!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Wishing you all a healthy and successful New Year!
It's been awhile since I've been on this site and will resolve to write more. There certainly are things I want to share.
Speaking of which...these are just a few of the memorable images from my 2009. If I could figure out how to actually place captions under each, I would.

Lots of Vases!

I know it's been awhile since I've posted. I've been really busy on the above vases. There are twelve all together. The photo shows the pieces in their bisque state. The colors will actually intensify after they're glazed. Don't they just look like they want to tap dance off the table?!!

On a recent trip to Little Rock to see family I got to meet our newest member. This is Macy, a
Wheaten Terrier, and only nine weeks old. Of course she stole our hearts!

1. Lily, the beagle, our most recent adoptee, has found a new favorite spot on the patio. She's two years old and has been with us for almost a year and a half. If she ever got to me her Little Rock cousin, I know they would be fast friends.
   

I've always loved looking at the puffy clouds seen from a plane's window. What a perspective! I seem to be cloud aware these days.

Seaside, Florida

We're spending this week with family, extended family, and friends at a wonderful beach on the panhandle of Florida. We have been coming here for 15 years and have seen a lot of changes in the landscape as well as seeing our kids grow up on this beach. I want to share some of the photos with you. I'm particularly excited about the intense colors and scenes we continue to find at this remarkable place. The above photo was taken early yesterday. I watched these clouds form and reshape during the morning. We had some wind and only a bit of rain, but enjoyed the intense colors that come from a sky like this.
The giant mosaic frogs are fountains shooting water into this beautiful pool. Close up you can see they're made with glass tiles and flat marbles. Just how can I get one of these home
My husband Paul, is leaving the beach after a full day relaxing and riding the waves. Great shadows and lines!

There are many beautiful gardens. These bold flowers look like my newly painted bathroom. Yikes!!












I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and able to spend time together with their families .

COLOR

I have begun working on my son, Max's dishes for his new home at school. I'm making eight dinner plates, maybe some smaller plates and I'll add several bowls to the set as well. My plates tend to be a little wonky, but totally functional. I am also in the process of picking colors for some rooms in our house. I'm totally dizzy over this and amazed how many times I can second guess myself. Do I really want mustard on the ceiling in the den, if I'm already using teal on the ceiling in the bedroom?!!! Will I begin to crave white?!!
I use a lot of color in my work and love mixing the colors as you can see from these photos. You'd think walls wouldn't be such a big deal.

Visit to Lawndale

Barbara Chadwick-Bland and I cently visited dear riends, Corine Guseman and Hal Dedmond at their wonderful country home in Lawndale, NC. This is a photo of their home in the early morning mist. You can see part of the wood kiln to the left. Corine and Hal are both amazing potters who have the good fortune to work in this awesome setting. The property has been in Hal's family for generations and is quite picturesque. They actually have a compound: Gallery, studios, kiln shed, glazing shed, workshop/classroom facility...and yes an old barn with beautiful goats!!!!
We attended the exhibit opening of Between the Covers, a book arts show at the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby. Really loved the show and thoroughly enjoyed Margaret Cogswell, current artist in residence at Penland. Her work is incredible...I love it!!! Margaret shared her really, really good chocolate chip cookies and a performance piece, she's very clever!!
The other photos are of the goats, Corine's greenware vases, a beautiful red bug, the new deck, and our morning hike. It was wonderful to get away!! Thanks Hal and Corine!!

Ceramic Wall Hanging

This is an image of a tiled wall hanging...not hanging! It currently measures 22"w x 28"h. It will eventually have a ceramic border in black and white, be mounted and grouted on a board. There are two larger pieces hanging at the Levine Children's Hospital and I have two at home. I have really enjoyed making these pieces and would love to work with this technique more. I can see an entry surround or a long horizontal piece as well. Hope you like it.

I'm currently working on several vases which will be wonky, three legged, black and white affairs. I'll show you as they progress.
Hope you enjoy this bright sunny day!!