Today and Birthdays

It's Sunday evening and I haven't spent as much time in the studio today as I had planned. The calls of the sun, the dirt, the garden, all kept me outside. As the evening came on all I wanted to do was read. I started thinking about sculpture - abstract, expressionist, realistic, all kinds.
Here's a Happy belated birthday to sculptor - Barbara Hepwood. b. Jan 1903, d. 1975. Who said, "The sculptor must search with passionate intensity for the underlying principle of the organisation of mass and tension - the meaning of gesture and the surface of rhythm."

For February let us say Happy Birthday to Constantin Brancusi, b Feb. 1876, d. 1957, who found his inspiration from many artists both in 2D and 3D. One of his favorites, is also one of mine, August Rodin...... which makes me think of driving out to the Maryhill Museum next weekend.
In thinking about how wonderful this weekend has been I close with words from Rodin, "Nature is always beautiful. We need only to understand what she shows us".

Links out of the kiln

The links have finally gone through their first firing. Whew! Many were loaded in the kiln as blank canvases that will now get glazed, some had underglaze that will be left but the most important thing is that they all survived. I can't wait to get some potters and children over to help with the next phase so they can be ready to go on display at Ceramic Showcase at the end of April! More updates to follow...

Meet an OPA Member: Deb Moen

Three things about Deb that have nothing to do with clay.

1. Was an avid bowler plus I taught. Carried a 190 average, life high game - 289, life high 3 game series - 680. Secretary/Treasurer about 25 years and some years included 4 leagues a week.

2. Played the Licorice Stick (Clarinet) in school from 5th-10th grade until I found bigger and better subjects of interest.

3. As long as I can remember, I have always collected wheat pennies. They don't seem to be circulating much any more. Own a couple Indian Heads and one dates back to mid 1800's.

It's all about the process

OPA Member, Ginger Steele writes: I've started a process blog so that potters who have taken my workshops, and other interested clay junkies can have a second look at how I make my stuff. Dimensions and tool information are incuded. I am pretty exacting in my work, so there are many details for those who wish to incorporated some of these techniques into their own process. If you'd like to take a look at the blog, it is at http://www.gingersteele.blogspot.com/. Feedback is greatly appreciated!

DIY @ MOCC

COMMUNITY SHOWCASE Etsy: Do It Yourself Now through March 6 - The Lab at Museum of Contemporary Craft Free with Museum admission View locally-made work that represents how the Portland DIY community is tapping into Etsy.com's innovative way of connecting people to the handmade, as well as empowering their customers to become makers themselves.

Experimenting with Cone 6 oxidation

I've been experimenting with many of the glazes that Pete Pinnell, John Britt and Steven Hill have been publishing lately and getting some terrific results. Thankfully, I was able to install new elements in my kiln, which has improved my firing schedule tremendously. As well as finding a local Cone 6 porcelain with a great glaze fit. I'll post some pictures shortly.

Anyone out there playing with Cone 6 oxidation?

I'd love to hear about your successes!

Meet an OPA Member: Kris Paul

Three things about Kris that have nothing to do with clay.

1.I love cooking and would host a dinner party every evening if I could.

2.I adore being Auntie Krissy to six beautiful nieces.

3.I have a kick-ass tattoo!

a bit of inspiration from a Master

I consider Paul Soldner to be a living national treasure and I have been lucky enough to spend time with Paul during workshops and various lectures that he has given over the year's. Click on a clip of Paul from our sidebar toward the bottom of the page and enjoy!

Showcase Cookbook Cookout

Over the weekend, the Cookbook Crew assembled at Jen Tonneson's floating home to cook, bake and have a girls weekend/slumber party. And cook and bake we did. Jenny Lakeman, Jen Tonneson, Brenda Scott, Debi Nelson, Stephanie Burton, Deborah Moen, Reena & DoDo Dodeja and Kris Paul and our wonderful photographer David Lutz all pitched in and got the job done. An amazing collection of OPA members dishes and pots, props and flowers were scattered throughout the house and everyone enjoyed finding just the right pieces to create beautiful shots for the cookbook. Hats off to all that contributed! This is going to be a must-have cookbook.

food obsessions

Is it really bad to still be devouring fromage blanc & caviar, a gift from a distant relative in Iceland, well after the New Year's Eve balloons have faded? I've got to either forget about it or...hmmm....what would Julia say?....bon appetit!