It is never just about the pots.

I know, I know, you are getting tired of all these trees, but just think in about a week all this color will be gone and those leaves will just be something we have to get rid of. At least the ones that are right around the house.The treasures of today just become someones trash to deal with later. Hum- better not start down that road today.
This first tree is right out the kitchen window and as I was staring out the window taking in its intense beauty  Mark walks in and says, "I just don't ever remember a fall with colors like this one, just look at this tree." Good Lord after living together for 40 years he can pick up my thoughts through walls, scary right?!
But he was so right- beautiful...

Then he comes in with the camera and tells me he has caught a few fall moments.
This one is just a shot through the woods.
Tasty.....

And then we both know that this tree will be bare as bare can be in just a day or two. There is a cold front coming through with wind and that will just take all this goodness with it.

And now about those pots- the kiln load is glazed, the cone plaques are made, wadding ready, kiln post washed, shelves cleaned and washed, anything else?
It is all in wait for us tomorrow.
We just ran out of steam.
We started glazing Monday and were done by lunch today. We planned to start loading but I feel a need to take a stretch out on the floor and let my back muscles relax.
And the damp mood of the day seems to fit my mood.
I have had at least 3 dreams with my brother Jay in them the past week.
As I get ready for the festival next week end I have to face that Lee will not be there with me.
Although Leslie is coming to help me and that does brighten my mood, she is my rock.
So it is never just about the pots.
So wish us low winds for a good firing.
I will try to post some pottery related pictures soon,
M

Spring without sunshine

As I was walking across the yard after lunch today it was spitting rain and there was a smell in the air to the rain.
Took me a minute to realize that it smelled like spring.
I was smelling it every time I walked outside today.
Spring- it smells like spring, earthy and lusty and full of promise.
Promise of all those things that come after a long winter.
promise of better things ahead.
Inhale deeply and let it hit the nose and go through the bones and down to the soul, spring.

Today I discovered that when I am working on the wheel my brother Jay seems to pop into my head. Maybe because we would talk about thrown pots.
I had several questions for him today so it was nice to have him with me.
It made me realize that he will always be with me, like a little bird on my shoulder, when I am on the wheel.
And, I realized that Lee seems more with me when I am working on tiles and glazing tiles.
This can not be a bad thing to have them perched inside my soul while I am working.
I just hope they don't want to give me too much advice since I can be a bit hard headed.

Spring- seems like the past month has moved past me so very quickly.
I have many things to accomplish and not all the hours I need to get them done, such is life.
Then again I look at fired pots and pots being made and I know we will work it all out if not at the fast pace we use to at a slower and steady pace.

Spring will soon turn into summer.
But meanwhile I will take some time to notice all the different shades of green that are appearing around me.
When I look out the studio window I can catch the color of the  Japanese red maple against the green of another tree just behind it.
There is no way to get a picture of just what I see but the combination of the two colors is just food for the soul and eye. It makes me smile on this cold wet day.
Spring- go get some it's out there.

Paper, rock, scissors or making choices

Paper, rock, scissors or I wonder if this game could be called paper, pots, scissors?
I have been making tiles, jewelry  and trays during this icy cold phase of January, but I have still not touched the wheel.
Oh I have read and poured over blogs of all the potters who are out there working away.
I love looking at what they are making and envy their ability to just go back to work.
I always need a bit of down time this time of year.
Or maybe a slower start.
So even though I am making some pots my mind has wandered over to paper.

I started our raiding all the old Christmas card for paper and using up some card stock I have.
Well it was all over then because then I had to try some real paper.
The kind that is made to fold rather then me making it fold.
So I order some paper used for Origami 
Oh my it is like using a soft clay rather than a hard clay.
It is like you just learned how to get the clay to move the way you want it to.
This paper just has a feel the other paper does not.
Right now I am only folding small boxes and a variety of items that could and would hold jewelry.
You can either slip a pair of earrings in or a pendent and use them as a gift box. 

And while I am folding these I have been looking at the different patterns on the paper.
Of course I have a favorite.
I really love this one.

Sorry the picture does suck a bit!

This time folding paper has given me time to think about pots and what I want to make.
It has given me time to think about my brother and miss him a bit (a lot!).
It has given my hands something to do while my mind goes to places I don't want it to go alone.
A comfort in the paper, soft and soothing.
Funny how something so simple can fill a place or a void for a person.
Is this how it feels for people who make pots for fun?
I make pots as a living and have for close to 30 years.
This means I have to find the simple pleasures somewhere else in order to get back in touch with clay.
Last night as I went to sleep I thought,"dream of teapots".
But instead I dreamed of someone who was making  dogs from tile pipes.
Go figure.
So folks I am out to the shop today and we will see what comes off that wheel.
or off the slab roller.........
Cheers!
M

A Tuesday in October

First off , as I resurface, I want to thank Tom Starland of Carolina Arts Unleashed who was our media sponsor for the show Clay and Blogs: Telling a Story.
Tom went recently to view the show and did a very nice write up with some great pictures.
You should go read the article here. 
Tom and his wife Linda are those people who work very hard behind the scenes.
They in many ways make our lives easier.
If you get the information to them in a timely manner- they do all they can to get the word out there.
Thank you Tom and Linda!

There was a service for Jay tonight and we could not get there.
Instead my sister Leslie went to represent the family.
Instead we raised a glass to brother Jay tonight and had our own memorial service.
Safe passage......

And today we just worked.
We did what most potters do daily.
We took balls of clay and they hit the wheel heads.
I spun out on sugar jars and bowls.
While Mark worked on big bowls, Mugs and Pitchers.

There were moments when all you heard were the wheels and the thwack!
music.....

I walked by the mushroom logs on my way into the house and guess what ended up on the stove.

 All in all a good fall day.
I am looking forward to another one tomorrow.
Cheers,
M

It's all in the company we keep

Mark and I took a little drive on Sunday to spend some time with my brother Jay, his wife Leslie and meet the new addition to his family Jax.
Jax is a bundle of joy and energy bouncing all over the house and making sure that the cats and all his people are in order.
We enjoyed traveling up on Sunday and being gulped up by the Blue Ridge mountains.
To get to my brothers we have to first get I-77, a trip on its own from our house.
I don't know if you have ever heard the expression, " you just can't get there from here."
But- my brother and I both live in areas where this rings true.
Once on I-77 we have to go and touch the edges of West Virginia and turn left to hear back into the depths of the Virginia mountains to find him.
Riding up early on Sunday morning made for a scenic drive.
Once we got there we were greeted by Jax, the family dog.
Spending time with my brother is always a treat and getting to talk about old NC pottery and have him show me some examples of work made by the potters of our youth are something I treasure. I learn something new every time.
He has collected some fine examples of Philmore Graves pieces and it was a treat to see them in person.

While we were there we took a swing around to his law office, he is a lawyer by trade.
I know all the lawyer jokes and I am sure you do too- so save them for later.
When I walked in his office I thought- "who would not trust a lawyer who displayed these in his office"?
It would put me right at ease to be among such good company as this.

Some great CC Cole's Pottery.
Look at those glazes- bring back the lead!

From  the JB Cole family.
Look at the handles on these-especially the one that seems to be from the hear no evil series.
The small three handled piece in the front is a Nell Cole Graves wife of Phil Graves.
That little pot just fit in my hand and the handles...sweet!

Pink! or maybe I should say rose...

and like I said, "it's all in the company you keep."
I turned around and found a shelf of my bottles, a slat glazed tea bowl of Mark's and an egg vase in the left hand corner.
I felt pretty good to see myself being displayed along with some of the old Masters.
 Then I spotted one of Mark's vases behind my brother's chair.
Nice......

There have been several post about supporting art and artist.
This is a fine example of someone who cares enough not only to buy art but share it with others.
I hope that the people who walk into his office found some comfort in the beauty of the work.
I know I did.
There is nothing better then to deck your work office out with pottery or any art.

 A super nice bottle of Mark's over on Jay's left.

And last but not least the boss of the office and house Jax.

How could you not love this face?!!
We are back in NC and back to work tomorrow.
With a little PT thrown in for good measure.

Sunday

Sunday:
Many people look at Sunday as the end of the week.
Others look at Sunday as the start of a new week.
I am one of those who look at it as the end of the week.
I like Sundays, if for no other reason then it gives me a full day to do nothing.
Or it gives me a full day to chip away at all those things I put off during the week.
Since Mark and I have a full time business here Sundays can be one of the few days we can spend some time doing something that might not be business related.

Whoa- you are thinking- how do they stay married for all those years, work together and want to spend time together.
Whoa - I say back - crazy huh?



Now on to some of the hard parts.
If you came here for your fun and to see what great lives we have now is the time to go elsewhere.
I talked with Brother Jay yesterday.
He is home and doing as well as he possible can.
He has been back into the hospital for another round of "hydration".
His body has to adjust to all the things the doctors had to do to bypass the small bowel.
He no longer gets nutrition from food but through an IV feeding tube.
Through this all his family is staying strong and folks are visiting.
We are planning to go soon.

If you are inclined to keep up with him stop over at his blog and post up a comment of encouragement.
The next several months promise to be hard ones.
So hey- go hug a loved one- tell someone you care about them.
Be kind- be generous, be there for others.

So as I wrap up this week and look into the weeks coming I hope to be able to hold my own as well as brother Jay- he is an example to us all.

Peace,
M

Oh, Brother or life such as it is

I have no good tile for this post and thought about posting something earlier today and yet- I needed my brother to say it first.
As many of you know my oldest brother Jay has written many wonderful article on NC pottery.
He is a lawyer by trade, a potter for fun, a fisherman and a person who enjoys life and all it has to offer.
Jay has been battling cancer for awhile now.
Through all of the ups and downs - the good days and the bad he has continued to be a husband, son, father and brother. He has called me often, emailed me and we have enjoyed many conversations on growing up together and our times on the farm. Our interest in NC pottery gave us another bond and many good hours of conversation.
Jay  was taken to the hospital over the weekend.
Things are not going as well as we all wanted.
So, if you have some time send some good thoughts and wishes.
Better yet post him a note if you have enjoyed his articles and let him know.
He would enjoy hearing from you .