Meeting Linda Starr, Jacksonville...and more pottery!

It's been awhile. Too long. Most recently, I was out of town for two weeks... and when I returned, this bowl awaited me.

Here's one side of it. I like the glaze colors and while it takes awhile to etch the writing and paint the black in it and wipe off the excess black, I really like the finished piece. The writing on this one are the words from my favorite hymn.... 'love divine all loves excelling.'

Some more yunomis, my default and favorite form. Am experimenting with simple glaze patterns.

The teacup on the way left--- has a Julian of Norwich quote and it's my favorite. All shall be well, it says. Those colors--- blue/green celadon wiht alfred's blue dipped over half of the teacup.... that is my favorite combo. More of those to come.

I recently spent a week in Jacksonville, FL visiting another Episcopal parish there. It was refreshing in more ways than I have time to write now. During my time there, I saw Linda Starr again.... after her and Gary's short visit here to Charlotte. I learned in reading her blog that she and Gary had stopped at Amelia Island for a few days on their way home. So, I met her and Gary there and we walked around a bit at an outdoor arts festival. We met Chris Jones there, who is a potter on the island. Here are some of his mugs. Bought one. Smart purchase! Check out his website for more.

I'm a booklover, which accounts for the over 20 boxes of books I have. Went to the BIGGEST used bookstore I've ever visited in Jacksonville. I was pleasantly overwhelmed by how many books were there. And they even gave me a teacher's discount--- 10% and I'm a priest! Bought a couple books and shipped them to my home-- media mail. This was a taste of heaven. Check out Chamblin's Bookmine. And I only spent a few hours there--- in one small section of the huge bookstore. If you're ever in Jacksonville, this is a must-visit place. I only bought 5 books.

Just one of many, many shelves.... more than I could count.

Managed to visit the beach three times. Loved time there. Even ran a bit on the beach. Loved time there.

And, I really enjoyed meeting Linda Starr--- a wonderful potter and blogger. She and Gary were passing through Charlotte and our paths crossed a bit. She brought me this beautiful leaf--- as a small gift. She's full of pottery creativity, wisdom, and IDEAS. Gosh, I wish she and Gary were closer. It would be fun to get together more. AT least I know a few more people in Florida. Thanks, Linda for your generosity and kindness. And to the reader-- just in case you haven't checked out her blog, it's here. Hope our paths cross again soon! Gosh, there really is a whole additional community in the blogging world.

Another Round

This is about all of the pots that didn't make it into the kiln, and there were a bunch! On these shelves are two of my bowls:
2nd shelf first on left.
top shelf third from left.
The rest belong to other artists. Kiln will be opened on Sunday. I have at least fifteen pieces in it. Can hardly wait to see them! I'll share more pictures soon.

This and That

Pics of this and that. First, here's some scalloped potatoes that my mom made for dinner recently. Amazing food! I don't know a cook that can outdo her- she's the best in North America. And in her younger years, my abuela in South America was the best there.

Most recent glazed pots. Base-- blue/green celadon with accents in alfred's blue. These are awaiting to be fired in the gas kiln-- cone 10.

Recently, I traveled to PA to visit my parents and siblings. Dug potatoes with Dad one morning. This was a new experience for me. The dirt above shows where the potatoes were growing. Dad did the hard work (digging with the shovel) and I put the potatoes in the baskets.

My mom is one of the best chefs there is. Here are tomatoes with a bit of cheese and herbs on top--- tomatoes straight from the garden.

And finally, the potatoes... these are the red ones. Dad works fast... we dug this basket and the sweet potatoes too, all in an hour or so.

The sweet potatoes were huge and long. Some were too big for one person for a meal. Great time with my parents. They are the best.

Went to Asheville this past weekend. Visited Highwater Clays where I got some new pottery supplies. What fun! They had an open house there and I now have some new ideas for design work on my pottery.

Classes have started again at Clayworks. I'm back at it and hoping for cooler weather! Will try and stay better connected on my blog.

New Batch of Pottery

Here are some pictures from the latest firing. Glazes are blue/green celadon as a base with alfred's blue glaze poured on the inside of the bowl.

I really like the colors-- the reds/purples/blues of the glaze. Etched words into the outside of the bowl as it was drying and then brushed black slip/mason glaze into the crevices. This bowl in the first two pictures I gave as a gift. Oh, the clay is phoenix clay, fired in the gas kiln.

I've decided to use this glaze for the time being... so this is now a new chapter of pottery. More pictures to follow.

Oh, and no good reason as to why I've been away from blogging.

It IS good to be back.