Last year I noticed a volunteer
raspberry growing in our retaining wall. At first I thought it might be poison ivy but then I saw the thorns. Then I thought it might be a blackberry but I noticed the stem was round and not square.
It grew all year long but never flowered. This year it has lots of flowers.We hope we get at least a few raspberries from the plant this year.
This past weekend was the Ramp Festival at the Farmer's Market. What is a
ramp? It's a wild leek or onion native to the mountains around here.
The onions are very pungent and are supposed to be really good for you. At the sale I sold quite a bit of pottery; a few serving bowls, serving platters, small dishes and the rooster planter. I stepped away from my booth at one point and a customer was telling Gary what she thought of my pottery. She said, "This isn't art, this is craft, this is real craft and I love it all. If I could afford it I'd buy every piece." Apparently this consumer considers craft to be more desirable than art. Who knew. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Craft is a wonderful compliment. I love pottery that's usable. Warren McKenzie, a well known potter from MN, believed all pottery should be usable. It's fun to see it in my kitchen where it belongs. I have some art pieces that don't appeal to me nearly as much.
ReplyDeleteYour second photo enlarged is really beautiful.
Hi Teresa, thanks, the compliments keep me going that's for sure, I am familiar with Warren McKenzie's work and thoughts about pottery, a real icon. I was surprised at the crispness of the raspberry flower and leaves after I took the photo, I think the white wall behind helped enhance the vegetation.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your raspberries. THey are definitely one of those plants that wants to endure...I've fought the volunteers coming from under my fence from the neighbor's unkempt yard for years...and they aren't easy to cut back either with their thorns. Birds got the berries though. So happy to hear that crafts are alive and well in GA. Of course!
ReplyDeleteHi Barb, thanks, at least I can contain these raspberries since they are on the wall and I can pick them without falling in. Ha.
DeleteEnjoy some ramps, it's a rite of spring and they won't last long.
ReplyDeleteHi Dennis, thanks, I never would have known these were related to onions seeing just the leaves so glad to learn the shape to know what is below in the ground.
DeleteWe have a ramp festival here in town. Good little buggers. I always considered myself (and you, by extension) artisans--skilled craftsmen.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, never knew about ramps till I moved here.
DeleteMmmm raspberries.
ReplyDeleteMy father told me that beauty has to be used. And usable. I don't agree with him completely, but he had a point. A good looking tea pot which drips and dribbles isn't beautiful at all.
I like Joanne's definition of the two of you as artisans...
Hi Sue, thanks, artisans working away behind the scenes.
DeleteI just tasted ramps for the first time a couple of weeks ago, as ramp ice cream of all things. It was delicious.
ReplyDeleteCraft can be art and art can be craft, whatever, as long as she loved it.
Hi Lori, thanks, ok you got me there on ramp ice cream I just can't imagine it. Ha. yep as long as she loved it.
Deletethe age old argument of art vs. craft. i don't care what they call it, as long as they buy it!
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, same here, they can name it whatever they want the customer is always rights. Ha.
DeleteLinda, I've been juried into several local art shows and twice another artist (the same person, both times) told me that photography used to be an art, when she did it a long time ago, but now it's not. I simply didn't respond either time.
ReplyDeleteHi Turquoisemoon, thanks, oh that is terrible, what kind of art does she do now, I feel a comment coming on. ha.
ReplyDeleteGive yourself a good pat on your back...it's wonderful to have received such a compliment. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lee, thanks, I ws sure happy with the compliment, always helps the ego and makes me want to make more.l
ReplyDelete