The List

     When I go to a new place I always make a list... of new things, observations and those tidbits I just don't want to forget. So here is my Penland/Spruce Pine, North Carolina list. I'm sure I'll keep adding to this as I keep looking through photos...Enjoy!

There are many links hiding in here, so scroll over and check them out.


The List

Super Fresh Smell of Green as you get off the plane
Wide open hilly spaces
Thunder and lighting with no rain
Fireflies!
So much tea and coffee
Gas...$3.34
Honor System goat cheese
"largest concentration of artists in the nation"
Knife and Fork
Pizza Parlor- trivia night, open mike night
Penland buffet= delicious
Henry and Alfred- The cats
Home grown tomatoes, kale, squash, radishes, garlic, carrots-Michelle
Fashion photography-Wes
"you're from that bankrupt state"-random stranger 
coffee ice cream at knife and fork followed by the Penland meadow
Yoga with Donna Marie and the entire ceramics class
So many Stars, bridges, streams
Bugs galore
the high in June-75-80 degrees "bring layers"
More tea
The Bringle Sisters
"look at that view"
Tufted titmouse, chickadee
Mica
Mica Gallery
Crimson and Laurel gallery
Lunch/ studio home visit with Suze Lindsay and Kent McLaughlin 
garlic harvest
unlocked cars
1 hour to sushi
Indian Buffet
The Pines- Dessert at lunch 
hanging street lights
meeting Lisa Clague in her studio 
Deer sighting
inside cats
Artists studios to visit everywhere
"where can I get reception?"
Henna
The Workshop-
Kevin, Mark, Donna, Rebecca, Lucy, Genaro, Joan, Sarah, Kelcy, Sandy, Laura, Jacob, Cindy
Porcelain, Underglazes on greenware, cone 6
Rocking Chairs
Everything becoming a song
Show and Tell also know as "show and show"
"Oh, Henry"

At the Airport in Ashville.

The incredible bridge that can only hold 40 people. 

Show and Tell 

Sunset over Penland. 

Michelle and Wes in front of the house.

Donna and me on the last day.

Oh, Henry. 

Intrinsic Motivation

     It's far from finished but I started painting a giant wine bottle yesterday... just because... I actually really enjoy painting them now. Every other bottle I've painted has been for a charity event or given away as a gift. I was thinking about my favorite one so far and wanted to recreate the flower aspect of it but with more color. I was able to get my hands on this giant bottle from Valentien after it was empty. Since I leave for Penland tomorrow,( I can't wait to see Michelle!) I won't be able to finish it up until I return.

     It has been really beautiful as far as the weather is concerned here so I was able to work on it in the back yard while Chris practiced his swing (see the net in the far corner). Our cat was asleep on his landing... it takes a lot more than a golf swing for him to get out of the way!

Playful Mind

    So the full story of how these pieces came about includes my students.We were in the middle of state testing in April and after they had finished their tests on one of those long days (they had 3 hours to take the English portion and all finished within two) I decided to entertain them and demonstrate some thrown pieces on the wheel. Usually when I demonstrate it is for something they are expected to create...perhaps a small cylinder. Well... this was more to kill some time so they requested something "bigger". I threw 3 pieces quickly finishing one on the wheel and moving directly to another wheel. It was very playful and fun and the students enjoyed seeing me throw (I think!)... not as a teacher, but as an artist.
      I was also thinking about how I needed to create work for the exhibit at the Arts Council coming up in July, so I figured I would take these playfully created pieces and finish them for that exhibit. The days after state testing, I decided to continue "playing" with carving, textures, adding grog as decoration and so forth. I am really excited about how they transformed from entertainment for my students into pieces of art that I am excited to share with the public. Hope to see you at the opening of "Playful Minds", July 6th at the Younger Gallery!

Summertime...

That's a Wrap

It's been 15 years since I graduated from Bakersfield High School. This is the end of my 8th year of teaching and my 5th year walking the field with the students in my cap and gown as Visual Arts Department Chair. It still seems pretty surreal that I work here and get to spend all day in what was my favorite class in high school. Have a great summer students and congratulations to the class of 2012!