See RBG!

RBG is a documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  While watching the film, we couldn't help but notice that she and her granddaughter were using my cups!  There were a couple of other shots with a cup included.  (It would be great to get a still or a video clip from the film.)  She bought 10 cups from me at the Smithsonian Craft Show in the early 2000s, and it was nice to see that she is still using them! 

Here are two images of some of my cups:

cups copy.jpg
old cups.jpg

Newly Painted (Improved) Studio

Over the past few weeks there have been some improvements in our studio space.  Frank decided to paint the floor, and we also painted the window trim.  It is a much nicer, cleaner looking space now.  Great idea, Frank! 

You can see in one of the photos that we are getting closer to having our tile mural ready to install in a peak on the outside of our house. 

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studio 2.JPG
studio 3.JPG

Cutting New Lino Block

I have started to make linoleum blocks.  Again.  I made many of these a long time ago but when I was introduced to printmaking the method of making prints was trace prints and monoprints.  

The subject matter in lino-cuts has been Blockheads but the picture included, showing me at work in my studio, is one of my imaginary vessel studies.

Blockheads linocut, 12" x 18"

Blockheads linocut, 12" x 18"

Hard at work in the studio carving one of my vessel studies

Hard at work in the studio carving one of my vessel studies

Pen and ink study of imaginary vessels

Pen and ink study of imaginary vessels

A Month in Vancouver

Detail of Takashi Murakami "100 Arhats"

Detail of Takashi Murakami "100 Arhats"

Fran and I have spent this past month in Beautiful Vancouver.  One of the highlights was seeing the Takashi Murakami retrospective at the Vancouver Art Gallery. 

Palm tree covered in snow in front of the Science Center at False Creek

Palm tree covered in snow in front of the Science Center at False Creek

We saw the beginnings of Spring when we arrived - rhododendrons, camellias, daffodils etc. - but found that winter wasn't over yet.  However, we saw some beautiful unexpected scenes of snow covering tropical plants.

One of the many showcases containing yixing teapots.

One of the many showcases containing yixing teapots.

Another Highlight was viewing an exceptional exhibition of yixing ceramics at the Poly Culture Art Center. More than 300 yixing teapots, created by modern Chinese master potters/artists were on display.  It would be difficult to describe the invention, display of technique and expansion of a 400 year old tradition.

We will be returning to Pelham soon.  We will have a lot to do - catching up on many left behind jobs  like  filing taxes and preparing the studio for the upcoming Pottery Train.