Glazed and Ready for the Shows

Last week I posted a picture of the work as it waited for me to decorate. Here is the first of two firings with the finished wares on the shelves ready for the upcoming shows.
Can you find the penguins again?

First show
Winthrop Art Show
Saturday August 21
Winthrop Maine.
This is a beautiful show with around 50 artists and artisans. The weather predicted is suppose to be really nice. Not humid at all, in the 70s. A perfect day to browse seeing some of Maine's most talented artists

The next show is in Manchester, Maine.
This is a Designing Women Show. Designing Women is a fabulous organization of Maine and New Hampshire artisans.
The show will be set in the gardens of Longfellows Greenhouses on Puddledock Road in Manchester Maine. August 28.
Donation of $2 at the entrance to benefit Sexual Assault and Crisis Center located in Winthrop, Maine.

Hope to see you at one or both of the shows!!!!

Working for the Next Day...

Unloaded the kiln on Monday evening. This is a bisque firing where I fire the work I made to 1800 degrees. I now am in the process of painting and glazing each piece. I paint with glazes on the outside of each piece making the beautiful floral patterns or the new rainbow trout I have been doing. I will be working at this all week and hopefully ready to do the glaze firing on Friday or Saturday. Here the work is fired to 2200 degrees. This firing takes about 8 to 10 hours depending on the weather. If windy, usually takes a bit longer.
I am getting ready for the upcoming art shows I will be participating in this month.
The first show is The Winthop Art Show Saturday August 21. I believe it is the 21st year for this show. A nice show with some wonderful artists.

The second show this month is at Longfellow's Greenhouses in Manchester. This is a Designing Women Show. I will be there Saturday August 28th. Here the works of some of Maine and New Hampshire's finest women artisans will be showing and selling their work. We will be setting in the beautiful gardens at Longfellows, which makes a great background for the artwork.
Designing Women also partners with a non-profit group that helps the community. Once again this year the group will be Sexual Assault and Crisis Center who's office is in Winthrop. There is a suggested $2 donation at the entrance. Luncheon can also be purchased making this a fun destination for a lovely late summer outing. This added extra plus is that if it rains that day we will be setting up in the greenhouse.

So, hi ho hi ho.....

Wonderful Summer

This summer has been fantastic. The weather has been just right for a perfect summer. Lots of hot and humid days, with rain at night for the most part. Then just plain wonderful temps with low humidity as well. Haven't gotten much walking in, but floating has been frequent and thus more inspiration for new work. That is the only saving grace for winter. I know lots love the winter. I am not one. I realize it can be beautiful but when compared to the picture included here....I choose the season where the least amount of clothes are worn.

Drawings

These are some drawings a friend did in 1983 or 84 of me. I haven't seen or heard from her in over 15 years. Its been fun to find these and post them. Her name was Diane Cote. As you can see I haven't changed much now have I.

Floating Bowls

These bowls look like they are floating I am gallery sitting right now, it is very warm out and since I am not floating, as I should be, I thought maybe my pottery could.

I am attempting to discover what exactly one does on a computer for hours. I use the thing to email, check my website, add pictures of new work to blog and/or Facebook, but other than that I am clueless. Of course I know I can look up a billion things, and then when I get online, I draw a blank. I suppose surfing is not my thing. I find the computer a useful tool, but other than that, would rather be floating or making pottery....or drinking beer!!!

Rainbow Trout and Floating

I have been asked in the last few days what it means when I speak about floating.
I live on a stream. One that is wide and deep enough in spots. for boating, fishing, swimming, and yes floating.
We have a small dock that jets out into the stream enough that I can take an inexpensive blow up raft to the end and jump right in.
Spending time just drifting on top of the water, bobbing and weaving, floating the minutes away.
Although I do not have rainbow trout in the stream that I am aware of, I have been inspired to paint them.
I love to float.

"Its not the coffee, its the cup!!!!!"

"I'm not surprised to read about "the mug situation." I have searched and searched through Maine websites looking for unusual, finely crafteed mugs and have never seen anything that comes close to yours in style, charm, and execution. In fact, all of your pottery is so refined, not heavy and overdone. It is all just beautiful."

I just received an email from Northern Tides Gallery in Lincoln Maine regarding an order I am working on for them. What a great way to start my day. As one struggles being an artist and making a living doing so, these encouraging messages are so helpful and blessed.

As I have been known to say for many many years. I think it is about 20 now...."Its not the coffee, its the cup!!!!"