RYOTO AOKI
My Ceramist friend Carole Epp in Canada shared this link on her incredible blog Musing About Mud.  I think hers is the single most useful and inspiring clay related blog there is in terms of creating a sense of community.  She is very generous.  Subscribe, Costs nothing!

A FEAST OF COLOUR by Henrietta Norris

Henrietta Norris, whose recent exhibition in the Salamanca Arts Centre has just ended, has provided me with some delicious images to share with you.  I remember watching her take some of the test rings for these glazes from the kilns at ANU when we pretty much danced with excitement.  These pots sing out loud with colour and texture and form. What a gorgeous gallery.  I will stop blithering and just show you!  Tell me what you think please.  It is awfully lonely being a blogger nobody comments to.  

The blurb said ....'An exhibition by Henrietta Norris featuring abstracted glazed and imprinted ceramic sculptures in which the Tasmanian East Coast meets the imprints of human culture. Henrietta is a ceramic artist exploring the intersection between man and nature in organically shaped and imprinted clay sculptures, complemented by flora inspired glazes. Her approach is phenomenological; exploring emotional and perceptual experience through the enduring media of fired clay.'

 

 

Blue

May I refer you to my friend Adriana's post.  Sounds like such fun.

Accepting graciously

My mother often pointed out to me that I was very bad at accepting compliments, and I could not argue with her.  It is delightful when someone says something nice but, like many, I  immediately focus on my shortcomings and point them out instead of thanking the giver, from the heart.  What happened to the wisdom of 'Accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative?'.  Today, before 10.30 am I had been given immensely nice feedback from two different sources, and yes, I was a little embarrassed, and happy (I think you are amazing, I love what you make, I read your blog and love it).  I'd be an idiot to not take these smiles and attaboys into my heart and let them buoy me up when I have a slump in confidence.  Thank you very, very much to the people who are so kind to me.  It makes a difference to me, so please don't stop.  

Such excitement!

Oh I have something really, really cool to get excited about, and not a G and T with lots of ice, though that may be on this evening's menu.  I heard of a Reduction Print Lino Workshop in Perth this weekend with Printmaker Helen Clarke.   I purchased a beautiful reduction print by Helen last year called A Flurry of Fledglings.  I love most bird and nest type imagery and this work reminded me of our own three boys, always calling out to me, being demanding and generally bringing lots of joy to my life.  I just couldn't go past it.  For more information on the process read Helen's website http://www.woodypear.com/.  I may not have studied Printmaking in detail but I do a lot of it all the same on clay, so I am bound to find something useful in this process.  There may still be places on the course, send me a comment if you want to know more.