Happy Birthday Henry

Happy Birthday Henry David Thoreau! You give me joy every day. I'm so grateful that you took the path you did, and had the curiosity and will to see and write about what you saw. You went out into the natural world every day, and for long hours. People saw you standing and staring at a pond for half a day, and chided you for your laziness. You celebrated your poverty because you knew the wealth you were receiving by being a close observer of nature surpassed money. Whenever I feel tired of the world I just read your journal and am refreshed. Here is what you said about purpose: "All that a man has to say or do that can possibly concern mankind, is in some shape or other to tell the story of his love, - to sing; and, if he is fortunate and keeps alive, he will be forever in love. This alone is to be alive to the extremities."

Porcelain Workshop

Sophie's work after the first firing.

Our work after the first firing.

Ok, not porcelain, but I am glazing a red clay piece I made earlier.

My porcelain ruffle pots under wraps.

Sophie making a spoon.

Some of Sophie's many plates and bowls.

Making glaze test tiles.

Two of my porcelain bowls after first firing with glaze on waiting for final firing.

I've been studying ceramics with Ingrid Bathe for a few months now, and my artist friend Sophie Truong got interested in the idea of learning to work in porcelain. So Ingrid put together a mini-workshop for us last week. We learned the basics of porcelain and the pinching process that Ingrid uses to make her work. Sophie took to it like a duck to water and made a scad of beautiful things...bowls, spoons, plates. I was over at Ingrid's studio yesterday to glaze and everything came out of the first firing okay...so we shall await the final firing. We really learned so much. It was my introduction to porcelain too, since I have only worked so far with red and white clay. Ingrid is a wonderful teacher, allowing for the natural process of making to unfold. She is also a gracious hostess, and fed us wonderful lunches at her backyard picnic table, surrounded by the strolling chickens. I feel so grateful to know these wonderful artists and to share time with them on a regular basis.