Mid May is here ... so are scattered piles of old snow and a lake full of ice. On the more positive side, there are lots of bird sounds in the morning, the lake ice is looking punky, and Keith announced a mallard on the meadow this morning. Actually, the "meadow" is more like a swamp and he's busy pumping water from it to other areas of our property to reduce the standing water. Those who have lived in Willow for many years are commenting about the unusually large amount of water in ditches and low spots; guess we should be grateful that there's not been rain and that melting has been a pretty slow process. Hmm...wondering about mosquito crop, though.
Pottery report: the kiln is cooling this morning, loaded with porcelain pieces thrown during the past month. After delivering work to The Tangled Skein in Eagle River and to Town Square Art Gallery in Wasilla, I began a new cycle of throwing. Most of the new work is done using English Grolleg clay that is very white and gentle on the hands of the potter. Am looking forward to seeing my glazes on this clay body; think it will be very nice. The studio floor is clean and the glazing process will begin again this week. Have had requests for more pieces with the fish theme, for some larger serving pieces and for a new glaze combination I tested (kind of stumbled on, accidentally) in the last firing.
Will add some photos soon. Just figured it was time to let you know there is still work being done around here and the potter is still kicking, but not literally. The studio windows have been cleaned, the floor washed, and it's glazing time once again. May do some sketching and waxed designs.
Keith ran two of our dogs in a Fun PicnicTrial event last Saturday and both did well. I erred, however, by not having a strong hold on a leash, and young Cedar bolted when she heard a gun fire, darting toward a dead duck that was not hers to retrieve. Oops! That was not a dog under control and I'll know better than to relax my grip on her leash another time. Mother's Day with family here was very nice last weekend. I have another Barbara Kingsolver novel underway and am browsing through a stack of art books from the library in preparation for some art workshops and a retreat. More about that later. Today is knitting time with the ladies -- so I better get some other things done before 1:00 rolls around. Will add a photo or two here after unloading the bisque kiln later this afternoon. Cool down...cool down...cool down.
P.S. Kiln is unloaded. There were 100 pieces fired, some very small; here's what that looks like:
That's the news from Willowak Pottery. Next comes the glazing.
Give a call (495-8272 or 360-3696) if you'd like to swing by the studio with friends/visitors. Oh -- Willow Creek Studio on the Parks Highway is planning to open for the season on May 20, so be sure to take your friends and guests there, too, for a look at what many area artists are creating.
Comments are welcomed below.
Pottery report: the kiln is cooling this morning, loaded with porcelain pieces thrown during the past month. After delivering work to The Tangled Skein in Eagle River and to Town Square Art Gallery in Wasilla, I began a new cycle of throwing. Most of the new work is done using English Grolleg clay that is very white and gentle on the hands of the potter. Am looking forward to seeing my glazes on this clay body; think it will be very nice. The studio floor is clean and the glazing process will begin again this week. Have had requests for more pieces with the fish theme, for some larger serving pieces and for a new glaze combination I tested (kind of stumbled on, accidentally) in the last firing.
Will add some photos soon. Just figured it was time to let you know there is still work being done around here and the potter is still kicking, but not literally. The studio windows have been cleaned, the floor washed, and it's glazing time once again. May do some sketching and waxed designs.
Keith ran two of our dogs in a Fun PicnicTrial event last Saturday and both did well. I erred, however, by not having a strong hold on a leash, and young Cedar bolted when she heard a gun fire, darting toward a dead duck that was not hers to retrieve. Oops! That was not a dog under control and I'll know better than to relax my grip on her leash another time. Mother's Day with family here was very nice last weekend. I have another Barbara Kingsolver novel underway and am browsing through a stack of art books from the library in preparation for some art workshops and a retreat. More about that later. Today is knitting time with the ladies -- so I better get some other things done before 1:00 rolls around. Will add a photo or two here after unloading the bisque kiln later this afternoon. Cool down...cool down...cool down.
P.S. Kiln is unloaded. There were 100 pieces fired, some very small; here's what that looks like:
That's the news from Willowak Pottery. Next comes the glazing.
Give a call (495-8272 or 360-3696) if you'd like to swing by the studio with friends/visitors. Oh -- Willow Creek Studio on the Parks Highway is planning to open for the season on May 20, so be sure to take your friends and guests there, too, for a look at what many area artists are creating.
Comments are welcomed below.