Jenny Mendes

Pottery on the Hill: October 31-November 2, 2014 http://hillcenterdc.org/home/exhibitions/1962   for more info In late October and early November, sixteen nationally-recognized ceramic artists bring their recently-fired, colorful, and durable creations to Hill Center for show and sale. Learn more about these artists and follow their work from links to each on the right side of this page. There, you will find closeup images of their works and links to their websites and blogs. Pottery on the Hill kicks off with a special Preview Reception at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2014. Ticketholders will receive the first chance to purchase pieces and speak with the artists. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the reception. Tickets can be purchased  online here . The sixteen artists will show and sell their pottery from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 1 and 12 Noon - 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 2. Mark your calendars, because this is a unique opport

the third eye.  empathic accuracy,  intuition

"Instead of asking ourselves, “How can I find security and happiness?” we could ask ourselves, “Can I touch the center of my pain? Can I sit with suffering, both yours and mine, without trying to make it go away? Can I stay present to the ache of loss or disgrace—disappointment in all its many forms—and let it open me?” This is the trick." ~ Pema Chodron

A lo to do.  Time to get down to it.

Some Kiss We Want There is some kiss we want with  our whole lives, the touch of  spirit on the body. Seawater begs the pearl to break its shell. And the lily, how passionately it needs some wild darling! At night, I open the window and ask the moon to come and press its face against mine.  Breathe into me.  Close the language- door and open the love window. The moon won't use the door, only the window. From  Soul of Rumi by Coleman Barks

A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain? Khalil Gibran

does the state of the workspace reflect the state of mind?

These are pictures from my first morning in Nepal last year.  Totally jetlagged my friend called up to me, "come come you are going to want to see this"!!, and I ran upstairs to see this little dog getting his tika.  Right now as I'm writing, it is morning in Nepal, and dogs all over the country are being adorned.  I'm working on a little marigold garland for my Claude right now, and if he is agreeable, I'll take his photo tomorrow morning when I give it to him.  What a happy day this was... just the second day of the festival.   The second day is called  Kukur Tihar  or  Kukur Puja  (worship of the dogs). It is also called as  Khicha Puja  by the  Newars . [3]   Dog , which is believed to be messenger of Lord  Yamaraj , the God of death, is worshiped once a year on this day.   People offer garlands,  tika  and delicious food to the dogs, and acknowledge the cherished relationship between humans and the dogs. This day is also observed as  Narka Chaturdashi .

Add caption

there is a place i like to walk nearby called the rookery.  an old abandoned railway track forms the essence of  the trail, through a surreal woods.  turtles, blue herrons, ducks, wildflowers in season.  so lovely.

Just before our love got lost you said I am as constant as a northern star And I said, constant in the darkness Wheres that at?  If you want me Ill be in the bar On the back of a cartoon coaster In the blue tv screen light I drew a map of canada Oh canada And your face sketched on it twice Oh you are in my blood like holy wine Oh and you taste so bitter but you taste so sweet Oh I could drink a case of you I could drink a case of you darling And I would still be on my feet Oh Id still be on my feet Oh I am a lonely painter I live in a box of paints Im frightened by the devil And Im drawn to those ones that aint afraid I remember that time that you told me, you said Love is touching souls Surely you touched mine Cause part of you pours out of me In these lines from time to time Oh you are in my blood like holy wine And you taste so bitter but you taste so sweet Oh I could drink a case of you I could drink a case of you darling Still Id be on my feet And still be on my feet I met a wo

Formal surreal portraits of childhood   http://www.lorettalux.de/

Remojadas Double-Faced, Triple-Eyed Head. Its unusual form manifests the concept of dualism that is found in some Pre-Columbian thought. In order to reconcile the dualities, or opposites, such as life/death, youth/old age, sacred/profane, or male/female some images were made to embody both concepts at once.

it's about 11:00 p.m. and I just got back from visiting the wood kiln which they are firing through the night.  how beautiful to see the moon peaking through the clouds in the space around the chimney where the sky can be seen.  and such a beautiful night..... finished painting this one yesterday.

So, ironically I found out last spring that The Cleveland Institute of Art has a woodkiln practically on my street! It might well be my street, just down a few miles with a different name.  I can get there in 5 minutes.  I was invited to put a few pieces in the kiln, and just found out that they would be firing tomorrow...so at the last minute I made a few tests... I basically had to make them, and bisque them the next day to be able to make it into the kiln.  No problem!  I didn't have the right slips, so I used my terrasigs and underglazes.... Here is a before shot after they were bisqued... so curious to see how they turn out.  I tried to keep it simple, since all of my slip work may well be lost, but I had to start somewhere.. Hopefully, I'll get to put things in more firings in the future... So exciting!  I can't believe its so close to my house... I'll be reporting back with more photos soon.   Judith & Claude

Have a wonderful Saturday!!!!  Some music to get started below!!!  Thanks Niko!

O