Crimson Sunset

Just a small detour and then I'm back to using geometry as inspiration. You might wonder why I post so many of the pieces I make. It's a good way for me to look at them objectively, well semi objectively. In a photograph clay pieces look much different than they do in person. Certain flaws become readily evident. It might look out of square on the upper right? It was square when I cut it out, hum. Later when they are fired I can refer back to these photos to see what they looked like before firing. Who doesn't like a sunset, so I was inspired to make this crimson sunset in clay; it's about eleven inches square.


Gary and I went to a local flea market to see how the foot traffic was for selling. We're trying to reduce our collections. This time of year it's not very good since there aren't many people and it's really hot under the metal roofs. We decided we'd stick to selling at yards sales in our own front yard. On the way home we saw this egret perched on a fence by the road. We stopped and took his photo and he didn't even move. This white egret is a reminder to say white rabbit on Monday, August first, for good luck for the whole month. Hope you're having a good weekend. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Intersecting Lines

Here are some intersecting lines on four tiles; when it dries a bit more I'll clean up the edges. I mixed up a few more colors for this one. My stains dry out stored in the baby food jars. I'm looking for different small jars. Caper jars work well, but it will take me forever to get enough of those. I may have to search the net for some small glass jars with good screw top lids.


The fern wall sculpture got too dry before I could add the lines for the lattice so it will have to stay as it is. Maybe I'll paint in the slip lines.


I didn't think it could get any hotter, but it did, and more humid anyway. We haven't gotten as much rain this year and are having to water more. Just trying to stay cool; that's a beach in Baja Mexico where we camped when we were down there a few years ago. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
© Linda Starr

Another One

Amidst the rush getting ready for the library exhibit first of August, I had to make one more piece with leaves. This time the leaves are actually attached and green clay. I like contrasting the curves of the leaves with geometric shapes. More colors and shapes coming soon. I'm going to go back and forth next with curves behind and geometric shapes in front, and vise versa.


Here's two kids really enjoying the swimming beach in the gulf near our home one hot day. Hope you're finding a way to keep cool this summer. Thanks so much for all your comments.

One Step Closer

As I looked at the photos of what I made day before yesterday, I wasn't completely happy with them. They were OK, but not what I wanted. I've been wanting to combine my love of nature and contrast that with the modern world. But I could never figure out how to do that. You see I sometimes feel a sadness when I see trees cut down, lots cleared, animals displaced, a sadness at what many call progress.

Where I used to live I couldn't see any city lights and the stars shined brightly for me in the night sky. Here I can see the hazy glow of city lights filtering through the trees with a toad chirping under my window sill. I have to strain to see the stars sometimes even on clear nights. The city lights interfere with the stars shining in the darkness which I used to enjoy. Right down the street they're clearing a huge parcel of land for a wally world super center.

I'm caught in a struggle just like the plants and animals around me. Having services closer to me makes it easier for me to survive. My travel costs are reduced and that means I can better afford to buy the things I need in my daily life like food and utilities. They're also widening the road a few blocks away and I'm sure more business will follow wally world. I'm one step closer to living in a bigger city. And yet I don't like it; sometimes I feel trapped in this situation.


I started out yesterday playing around with what I made yesterday, setting some finished leaves and flowers on the pieces I made to see how they looked. The dimension they added felt better to me. Then I made the piece with the black bamboo. I'm not sure about the bamboo being black, perhaps it should have been green, next time. But I feel like I'm one step closer to where I want to go with my work. Last night I added the city to this piece. Looking now I could have made the buildings taller and had them go around the edges, next time. I'm working with these colors because I happen to have them handy. I also intend to use other colors and try some with the white storeware.


Yesterday I read an article which said rural America is shrinking at an ever increasing rate. It's gone from 20 percent to 16 percent living rural. Sixteen percent, that's a very small percentage. I secretly cheered and felt sad at the same time. I felt sad for the folks who may have to move to the cities and not want to. Sad that small towns are drying up.


But I cheered for the plants and animals left behind by all the people moving to the cities and thought the plants and animals may have some hope of surviving. This morning I saw this armadillo eating grubs in our lawn. I hope there's a chance for me to move way out in the country again someday. Today I've got to get my library pottery exhibit together. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
© Linda Starr

Wall Sculpture Development

Working on wall sculptures this week. I'm starting out simple and will be testing shapes and hanging mechanisms. Also thinking about the mixed media portion, such as glass, metal, etc. Next I'll embellish, change, adapt these. A discussion about how customers look at pots and what potters can do about it on Carter's blog made me think about sprig additions for these first two.


What about you? Do you like a painted pot, a certain color pot, a modern or traditional shape or style? Do you like bright colors, subdued colors? Do you like textured pots? What type of pottery are you drawn to? Have you thought about it, or do you feel you just know what you like when you see it?


The last piece I intend to glaze in two different colors. Hope you are having a good week; we finally got some much needed rain and more due today and tomorrow. I'll have to remember to go out and look for more mushrooms. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
© Linda Starr

Too Thin

Here are few more pieces from the last firing. The two pieces above are striped with Florida clay slip alternating with white slip and matt clear glaze exterior and rutile interior. They're super thin and are about 3h x 4w inches. I often wonder, is it too thin? Oh, you thought I was talking about my being too thin. Ha. I wish. They look fragile especially at the top edge, but would be nice as a sculptural element on a shelf. I do like the tear in the front of the one. What do you think about thin pottery?


This is a medium pinch bowl, about 4h x 8.5w inches, I also made it super thin and textured and patched pieces of clay to make it look ancient. Unfortunately my choice of glaze was a crackle on the interior and it bubbled. This was the last piece I glazed for that firing; I was tired and not thinking clearly about how to glaze it. I'd like to make more of these bowls and use a different glaze on them, something earthy, perhaps some unglazed Florida clay slip.

Anyway I wonder if you think functional pottery can be too thin. I remember seeing a very thin porcelain tumbler a potter was drinking coffee from at a workshop in Ventura years ago; I was amazed how well it held up. I don't have much experience using thin or delicate ceramic ware myself to know firsthand just how strong thin ceramic pieces really are. What do you think? Can a functional piece of pottery be too thin to use. Should thin be reserved for more formal ware, for sculptural pieces? Have you or do you use very thin pottery, can you tell me your experience with that use? Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
© Linda Starr

Elephant Ear Sponges & Mykonos Restaurant

In light of world, national, and personal events, it's easy for me to sink into the doldrums. For a while I slacked off on promise-to-myself weekly trips, but started back up again to try and stay fresh and lively. We had to go to Dunedin the other day so we decided to take a side trip to Tarpon Springs so I could get some sponges for my clay work. Since we arrived at noon we had lunch at Mykonos Restaurant at 628 Dodecanase Blvd. When we saw they had grilled octopus, Octopodi Skaras, as an appetizer we had to order it.

Perhaps you'll recall I raved about the octopus we had at the Margarita Grill in Homosassa. I mentioned I had octopus with a lemon sauce to my waiter and I detected a slight displeasure on his face at the sauce, he said it should be served with olive oil and lemon. I gathered Mykonos Restaurant prides itself in being very authentic Greek in both ingredients and preparation. Their charbroiled octopus was tender and delicious.


Gary started with Avgolemono Soup which is a egg-lemon based chicken soup, the Greek equivalent of chicken noodle soup. The avgolemono has orzo in place of noodles and was excellent. I had a salad which was lettuce, feta cheese, olives, cucumbers, and tomatoes with an oil and vinegar dressing, fresh and crisp.


For his main course Gary had Garides Mykonos, sauted shrimp, with fresh tomatoes, feta and Greek spices. His side was Greek oven potatoes sliced length-wise and roasted in the oven with a brush of olive oil and lemon juice, both were excellent.


My main course was Arnaki Frikase, lamb fricassee, roasted with green endive, delicious and a huge portion. I ended up taking a good amount home to savor again later.


I've uncovered the lamb for you to see. Although it looks red, it was cooked to perfection not even close to rare. It was tender and juicy. If you're in Tarpon Springs be sure to go to Mykonos for lunch or dinner. Opa to Mykonos Restaurant. Opa - word of cheer and celebration of life.


It's often difficult to find a parking space on the main street, but there is free parking above the Sponge Exchange and you can walk down to the courtyard.





There are lots of tourist shops along the courtyard. I only window shopped since going inside I'd have been tempted to spend money I didn't have. There was a shark and sea turtle sculpture along with a 1935 fishing ship which once sailed in the local waters. The blouse in the window reminds me of one I wore when I was in college in San Bernardino. It's very hot and dry there, much like Greece, so wearing a thin white blouse was an effort to try and stay cool.


Sponge Exchange showed me where I could hydrate my sponges to test their smoothness and strength. I missed that luxury the last time I was there. She proudly pointed out some photos of the large wool sponges of theirs being used as decor accents in Pottery Barn advertising. I got one big wool sponge which I can cut up to use and three elephant ear sponges. I left the bag of sponges in my car over night in a plastic bag. Please don't make that mistake; boy they took on a ripe fragrance. Then I read the card in the bag which says hang sponges to dry immediately after use and never leave wrapped up wet. Luckily after washing in mild soap and water they're fresh again.


As a side note I read research is being done on six chemicals produced by sponges called agelastatins which can kill cancer cells by preventing the cells from dividing. My thoughts lately are revolving around living life to the fullest, enjoying those close, because you never know what tomorrow may bring. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
© Linda Starr

Chaney Workshop Finished Work

The piece above is one of three I completed (well almost) in a clay and glass workshop with Meagan Chaney. The piece of glass below was supposed to go in this piece; the baking soda experiment with the glass bubbled too large and was too thin and sharp to use. The holes I made to accommodate the slumped glass were also too small for the glass to slump through properly. But I plan on using some weathered copper sheeting to place behind the holes in this piece. River symbolism seems to be a recurring theme for me.

Baking Soda Glass Firing Test by Linda Starr

Glazed Greenware by Linda Starr at Chaney Workshop

Finished Piece Two by Linda Starr at Chaney Workshop

Finished Piece by Linda Starr at Chaney Workshop

These sculptures are meant to be hung on the wall. They have hooks and a wire on the back so they're ready to hang. I'll be digesting the information I learned in this workshop over the next several weeks. I'm curious how it will translate into my own work.

Fused Glass Earrings by Linda Starr

I'll either drill holes or glue rings to these fused pieces of glass to make drop earrings. Or they could be pendants hung from the top or from both sides, so many possibilities.

Joanna's piece from Chaney workshop

Regi's pieces from Chaney Workshop

My photos of the pieces aren't that great; my kitchen counter seems to put a yellow caste on them. I'm worn out from this past week, so they'll have to do. As with most ceramic work, they're much better in person. This was one of the best workshops I've ever been to. Meagan is a great teacher and willing to share anything she knows. If you ever get a chance to take a workshop with Meagan Chaney I highly recommend it. Thanks Meagan.

Chokecherry

Here are the coleus inspired leaves after glaze firing; they're about four inches long. Leaves are very inspirational for me. I've been using leaves for years as spoon rests, on plates, wall panels, and others as test tiles. On these I was testing how the underglaze colors would be affected by this new iron rich clay I'm using and how the satin clear glaze would fire over the top. I tried to make sure I didn't apply too much or too thick a coat of the clear. It may even be a little thin. I like the leaf on the right the best; the lighter green and the more random application of the color appeals to me. I'm even thinking these colors would look nice on a bowl or a tall vase.


The other day I took a walk down our street early in the morning before the heat hit and happened upon a tree I hadn't seen here before. I was attracted to the tree because of the bright red berries, with a few turning black, and I was unfamiliar with it. The tree stood facing the East and was about 30 foot tall, reaching for the sky due to taller trees all around it.


How nice to see something so colorful walking along on a hot and dry summer morning. I wondered about that tree all week long. I asked at a State Park on Honeymoon Island but they couldn't put a name on it either. Then in the back of mind I asked myself what kind of tree would produce drooping fruit this time of year. Then the name of the chokecherry popped into my mind. Sure enough I looked it up and that's just what it is. I've read about and heard the name before, but never saw a specimen in the wild till this one.


Today I'm walking back up the street to examine the bark and see if it looks like the bark of other cherry trees I've seen. Surely that would have been an identifier had I noticed. At the time I was reluctant to walk into the woods even a short distance due to the possibility of snakes and biting bugs, but curiosity may prevail in this case. Oh here it is, the unmistakable identifier of a cherry tree, the horizontal striations in the bark. And here's a better shot of all the berries it produces.


Chokecherry is also used to craft wine in the western United States mainly in the Dakotas and Utah as well as in Manitoba, Canada. But the chokecherry is toxic to horses, moose, cattle, goats, deer, and other animals with segmented stomachs (rumens), especially after the leaves have wilted (such as after a frost or after branches have been broken) because wilting releases cyanide and makes the plant sweet.


As I was walking along this time I saw another plant close to the ground with some beautiful red bronze and gold leaves. Inspiration is every where I look and am so thankful for the wealth of beauty and knowledge to be gained from the natural world around me. Today is my last day for the workshop at Meagan Chaney's; I can't wait to see how all of our work turned out, stay tuned. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Vine and Flower Pedestal

Sometimes even if a piece has a problem I know about, I glaze fire it anyway. I'm learning there's a lot to be learned from doing this. You might recall one of the flower buds on this pedestal fell off before the bisque. Look here to see how I used vinegar slip to attach it. I fired it in the bisque and it held and I was amazed.


After the bisque I noticed there was a small crack in the top bowl portion. Whoa is me! Strange little crack, perhaps I pressed too hard when attaching it to the base. But if I didn't glaze fire the piece I wouldn't know if the flower bud would also hold on during the glaze firing. So I took just as much care glazing the piece as if it didn't have any flaws.


Well the flower bud held on during the glaze, good news. But the glaze ran. I put on too much yellow glaze trying to cover up the vinegar slip patch. Darn, but the flower bud stayed put and it's firmly attached after the patch job. I think that flower bud is too large, I like the smaller sized ones with this piece.


But have a closer look at the vines and buds. I love how they stand out from the piece as if they're barely attached just clinging to a wall. I like how the clay color is showing through; semi-rough against the smooth background glaze.


I learned a lot from this one piece being fired. Vinegar is my friend, too much glaze is not, persistence and perservance will definitely help my clay knowledge and progress. I'll be working on more pieces with vines very soon. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
© Linda Starr

Little Miss Attitude

Here's Little Miss Attitude. When I mentioned her name to Gary he said, "Yeah, that's you". Whatever could he mean?

Little Miss Attitude leaning back in consternation
(if it doesn't lean it wasn't made by me
this one really leans, ha, but does stand firmly)

Little Miss Attitude blows her top

Little Miss Attitude splits a seam between her buttons
(vinegar slip needed here next time)
(please see Whitney Smith's post about perfection)

Little Miss Attitude Takes Her Leave

Perhaps some of the her attitudes might be true of me. Of course I'm not admitting to any of them. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
© Linda Starr