Jenny Mendes

Stoneware Bird House by Michael and Theophilus Miller of Newport (Perry County), Pennsylvania. Sold for $71,500 on November 4, 2006--a World Auction Record for Central PA Stoneware.

This week I'm listening to The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton.  Just started yesterday.  It's intriguing, also a very detailed story to follow, so I've had to get back in the habit of turning off my thoughts, and listening as intently as possible.  I get the sense that it might need another listening to, to be able to follow it properly, still I'm really enjoying the writing immensely and it feels like a puzzle that is slowly revealing itself.  Or is it?  Time will tell, it's a long one.  And just what I needed to refocus before I leave on my trip.  I've been working on the bowl all day listening & listening....

I've had a hard time getting back to work, maybe it's because I'd rather be in my garden.....

Feels still too cold to plant our tomatoes....but it's memorial day.  How can it be?  This is a lovely bowl, simple, heavy, solid.  I love using it.

I just listened to this podcast and I highly recommend it.  You can find the link here  or here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-red-clay-rambler-podcast/id523651655   episode 64 Michael is my favorite potter of all time.  I have quite a few of his pots, most of which I got in the 80's and I use them daily.  I knew they were great, before I had a sense of what I even liked.  He seemed like a legend before I met him, and really in my 20's I knew nothing about anything but still I knew he was a special person and how lucky I was to have crossed paths, as new as I was to the world of ceramics.  I had the good fortune to be working at Penland school then on scholarship, and I got to take a two month class with him.  Though I wasn't particularly a student of pottery, it didn't really matter.  His earnest way of looking, and talking about pottery had long lasting influence.  The seriousness of his approach spoke to me, and of cou...

Incredible!    I just discovered her.... See more here:   http://alexandra-duprez.fr/screen.php?name=accueil

Everything you see has its roots in the unseen world. The forms may change, yet the essence remains the same. Every wonderful sight will vanish, every sweet word will fade, But do not be disheartened, The source they come from is eternal, g rowing, Branching out, giving new life and new joy. Why do you weep? The source is within you, And this whole world is springing up from it. ~ Rumi gouache drawing by grivemune

One can have amazing ongoing conversations with oneself, of course in so many different ways.  But, in friendship, as part of two, conversation can be expansive, unexpected, fundamental.  How beautiful it is to have a long and deep conversation with a friend when it can go on for hours, taking twists and turns, learning, listening, expanding and discovering new things together going into a space where time ceases to exist.  For me it is much the way I can get lost into my artwork, but in a different dimension.  As necessary as breathing.  Today I experienced this gift.  Thank you my friend.....

That was fun!  

Miou Miu

My nephew is interested in animation.  So I have become more interested in what people are doing with it as well.  The thing I loved about this little film is how the maker could see the other in the ordinary and completely transform it.  I like to get into this state of mind when I am creating images too.  I hope you enjoy it! Have a nice Sunday :)

I'm thinking about making my own version of this... love amulets..... tiny offerings.... thank-yous.... small acts of gratitude... prayers, a wall of milagros made of clay, not sure where it will lead, but isn't that the point?

My friend Alice has a new blog!!! Please check it out.   https://alice-ballard.squarespace.com/ Artist, friend, gardener and inspiration to me.  We hope to work together later this year, which would be a delight!!  I am so happy to know that her garden is blooming.  Mine, is still in a state of deep winter sleep.  Maybe it will begin to wake up next week.  I've planted seeds indoors in anticipation that it will eventually warm...seeds I bought in Kiev.  Marigolds, calendulas, zinnias I didn't know, and my favorite, Amaranthus - also known as Love lies bleeding....first a flower photo from Alice's garden, and secondly, Amaranthus.

Found these yesterday in the woods behind my home, and just finished eating them.  Still recovering from all the travel, I've got something to share later today by my friend Alice.... after I sleep, too foggy to set that up right now.  And yes, I admit it, I had some McDonalds coffee.  Did you know they charge for cream now?  At least they did on the highway stop.

Conditions were near perfect.....

So far, I've only found wildlife....will report back soon with the results of our hunt.

Drive to Betsy's cabin Find mushrooms talk, scheme, eat..... sleep will post photos of mushrooms if we are lucky enough to find any.....

it's been fun rooming with Ani and Lester for the weekend!

Made it into the local paper!!!  See the link below! http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/stageandarts/258512171.html

come visit this weekend if you are in the neighborhood !!! Saint Croix pottery tour in lovely Minnesota!

http://www.minnesotapotters.com This weekend!!  Setting up today.

I'll post the answer tomorrow!!  But hint #2 is that they are two super sweethearts!!

I'll give a pottery hint tomorrow.....and see if you can guess!!

Swimming Caribou, Jacob Irkok, Arviat, 2004. Robert and Judith Toll Collection. Photograph by Dean Abramson.

there is different face painted under this face...i wonder if it is going to come through when it's glazed?