More about the turtles...

So there all put together, carved sculpted and drying I had so much fun making them! I started making turtles years ago when I was teaching children they inspired me to. As a matter a fact the kids I was teaching were exactly the same age my son Judson is now. Those kids inspired me to think about my work differently. I was always so serious and didn't have fun with my work, I did then and still sometimes take my work a little to seriously. This is something I am always trying to not do to much I mean yes you have to to a point but if your not having fun with your work than what's the point? I always said I would rather pump gas at a gas station if I couldn't do what i loved (so forget for the minute that all the gas stations are self-serve and there's not future there for me) I guess my point is there has to be a little playfulness and fun in what I do too to make it the thing that gets me out of bed in the morning excited about what the day will bring. But back to those kids that helped me step back and look at creating in a fun care free way. Well now I got one of my own and he inspires me every day and makes me think about art, life and the way the world works. He dose all this just buy getting up in the morning, questioning things and going at life in a free way never saying i can't do that. Its more like this is how Im going to do that and make it work no mater what and all the while enjoying every minute. I love what the brings it to my life it reminds me not to take me, my work and life so serious, know its going to be ok, it will all work out and have a little fun along the way knowing that. Hey there an art to having fun and fun in creating art too.

One of the largest turtles will be going up at the live auction at the Zoo to Do on Saturday September 11th, so go out and bid if you can and bring some of the care freeness of the intrepid turtle home with you. He's at home where ever he is he carries it on his back where ever he goes, I like that about him too!
And yes all my turtles are sticking their tongues out, turtles have then you know....

6th Annual Potters Market Invitational

I've been getting ready for this show for the past few months check out this article on the Potters Market Invitational on the Carolina Arts Unleashed wedsite I am so looking forward to going back there this year. The market is the best place to see what's going on in North Caroling pottery today. it is the finest cross section of the diversity we have in this great clay state. Hope to see you at the Market!

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com
I really liked Eat , Pray, Love OK there I said it! and I'm a guy I know but I like the way Elizabeth Gilbert thinks and writes. I also enjoyed her thoughts on creativity in this short monologue.

Working late on a beautiful night

The air is cool and thick with that humidity that hangs in the air in central North Carolina this time of year, its cooler than usual for a late August night. A night like tonight just made me want to savor every moment while the crickets and frogs music kept me company as I worked to well after midnight. Under the glow of a bright moon you can feel the calmness of the night, there's something about it that centers me in the moment.

Turtles!!

OK so I know they don't look like much now but they are in fact turtles. When I make them they are all up side down then after there bellies are on and they dry a little bit I can flip them and do the carving and sculpting of the faces. They are so much fun to make!! I feel connected to every one the make. They make me feel like a kid again. I think thats why I make them, Im smiling inside when Im working on them, that and I think in a past life I was a turtle....
I'l post some more pictures as the progress continues.

Mixin' clay

I spent the day mixing clay. I usually use my blunger, make slip then let it dry in wooden forms with wire mesh on the bottom in a cloth sheet. Then it takes two to four weeks until the clay dries out to a workable constancy (this depends lot on the wether). But I'm in a time crunch with the Mint Museum Pottery market approaching I needed some more clay and I needed it now. So I am again so glad I live here in the Grove with helpful neighbors willing to lend there clay mixer. This morning I loaded up my truck and drove on down the road mixed about 800 pounds of clay some for tiles and some for throwing. And now Im set for a bit. I'll mix slip in the next few weeks so I can stay on track and a little ahead so then maybe I wont have to take my clay for a drive around the neighborhood!

In print

The new book by Angelica Pozo Surfaces Glazes & Firing is out and there is a nice image of my work in it!! I called the grouping of bowls "mess of bowls" its in the slip gallery.
I used to do quite a bit of slip trailing, lately I have been painting more and more but looking at this image I have a hankerin' for throwing some slip on some pots! I thing I need to get messy soon with some wonderful fluid slip trailing, boy do I make a mess when I work with slip and its so much fun too!

Potters for peace

The sale for the Seagrove Potters for Peace was on saturday, I made 25 tea mugs I still have several left. I will have them in the shop until the are gone. Check out the website to find out more and if anyone would like one I would be glad to ship one or more. Just give me a call or drop buy the shop if your in the area. This is a great cause so do what you can and get a great mug for $20 and help the cause.

Seagrove Potters for Peace

I along with twenty four Seagrove area potteries will be hosting the Seagrove Potters for Peace a fundraiser for Greg Mortenson's Central Asia Institute. Which builds schools in remote, impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan as a long-term solution to terrorism. Each pottery has produce a unique item, specially signed for this event. The pottery will be for sale at the individual shops on Saturday, August 14 from 9am to 5pm. Some potteries will also have copies of Mortenson's books for sale.

For the event this year I have made 25 mugs that are inscribed, "SPP"(Seagrove Potters for Peace) and stamped with a peace sign. The mugs are $20 each of which 50% of the sales will be donated to help Greg Mortenson build schools. There will be no early sales, but any remaining items can be ordered by email or telephone on Tuesday, August 17.