One by One

Just finished this tile of a sheep which is about 10 x 10 inches. I applied multiple layers of slip for the wool. I might darken the nose a little. Following is the poem, Sheep, by Carl Sandburg:

Thousands of sheep, soft-footed, black-nosed sheep — one by one going up the hill and over the fence — one by one four-footed pattering up and over— one by one wiggling their stub tails as they take the short jump and go over — one by one silently unless for the multitudinous drumming of their hoofs as they move on and go over — thousands and thousands of them in the grey haze of evening just after sundown — one by one slanting in a long line to pass over the hill —

I am the slow, long-legged Sleepyman and I love you sheep in Persia, California, Argentine, Australia, or Spain — you are the thoughts that help me when I, the Sleepyman, lay my hands on the eyelids of the children of the world at eight o’clock every night — you thousands and thousands of sheep in a procession of dusk making an endless multitudinous drumming on the hills with your hoofs.


When I told Gary I signed up to have a booth at the Greek festival and asked if he'd help me. He said sure, they have great Greek beer. Part of my heritage is Greek on my mother's side, perhaps that's why I love the seafood and the seashore so much. Sadly my mother didn't share much about Greece with us; so I try to absorb some when I have the opportunity. I've been working on the tile above post firing; I might change his hair to white. Gary said he looks like a fisherman; I think he might be a Greek fisherman.


Next week I'll have a booth at the Greek Festival at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Lecanto on Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm and Sunday 11 am to 3 pm, that's October 27 through the 30th. Gary will be there to help out since it's such a long show. I'll have my wall sculptures, tiles, and functional pottery too. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hi. We highly recommend this festival which has excellent and authentic Greek food, music and dancing. Stay away from the ouzo till the end of the day. Ha. Just turned on the kiln for another firing. This post is part of show and tell Saturday for Artists in Blogland. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.