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!!

Harley...Tigger...It's Duncan!!

Our boy Duncan has a new home!!!! Karen lives down the street and doesn't mind frequent visitors...thank goodness! This is one happy pup. Welcome to new beginnings!

Goodbye sweet dog!!!!!

HAVING A BALL!!

I think a lot about forms when working with clay. One of the reasons people are drawn to ceramics is because of the tactile quality of the surfaces and how the piece feels in your hands. This is the same whether you're holding a functional piece or touching a sculpture. For me the sphere is the ultimate form. I don't know if the appeal is the continuous expression, the sensual properties, or maybe how you can envelope the piece in your hands or arms. Possibly all three and much more. I have made spheres in all sizes as in the marbles above or the 15" garden sphere. I look forward to stacking, stringing, and scattering many more spheres in the future!!

It's a dog's world...thank goodness!

• This is eight month old Harley, the wonderful rescued dog. After a felonious beginning Harley is being fostered by my wonderful neighbors Seana and Bob. We're looking for the perfect home and in the mean time enjoying spending lots of time running and playing in Seana and Bob's giant backyard. I am impressed by the spirit of this great dog and his desire to be loved by his people. Neglect and animal abuse is a horrible issue to come face to face with and we all count Harley lucky to be out of his previous situation. Meet the Black and White Party Dog. I suppose you can guess that he is part of the Party Animal Series. He stands about 11" and also wants to be loved by his people. The third image is a Warhol print from the Mint show. Andy must have known my dog Louie, another great dog. Louie was rescued from the streets of Elizabeth about seven years ago. It's a dog's world don't ya know!!!!

Good Morning! I had coffee this morning on the patio with this view and the birds were in high gear. Wishing all my friends well today at their various sales...Rosedale and the Barn Sale!! I hope to see you.
Above is my Party Sheep, part of the Party Animals series of earlier. He stands about 11" tall. All of the Animals are wearing hats...so you have a party of course!!

Creative Process

I have recently been reading and thoroughly enjoying a book entitled INSPIRATION Tricia Guild. She is a British designer who has created fabrics, wall papers, and furnishings since 1970. The book is a glimpse into what inspires her creative process. For many years I have been collecting images from magazines, books, packaging, cards...all sorts of things, as Tricia Guild puts it "waiting to connect in some way...one of these images will come into my head, an idea for a design." It's spontaneous and often how inspiration works for me. The photographs in the book are spectacular!!

A particular artist she shares with us is Marc Quinn, also British, born in the mid 60's. The image I have included here...yes, I know it is sideways and no matter how I have tried to correct this, it has a mind of its own...please turn your head sideways to view!...is a piece he entitles Garden, 2000. What is totally fascinating about this work is that it is a whole garden full of plants which could never grow together kept in cryogenic suspension in a glass case...a frozen garden!! Wow!

Well...this is the beginning

I must say, this certainly has taken quite a long time in coming. I've wanted to share some thoughts and images with you for awhile. Last November I moved my studio home after being apart of Clayworks in Charlotte for almost nine years. There certainly was good and bad. I no longer had the opportunity to spend days with some very close friends, watch their work progress, or gleam good advice on demand. On the other hand I have a wonderful view through both my french doors, fresh air whenever I swing them open, my dogs hanging close, and alot of new opportunities. The friends are still close and they're still willing to give good advice. All in all it was a great move. So today, my first posting, I want to share an image I took this morning 10 feet from my studio door. There are three baby birds in the nest!