Thursday, December 23, 2010

Warm winter day

People always rave about Maple trees in the fall. True they are magnificent in the fall. But have you taken a closer look in the winter...They're no Evergreens, they're more subtle. Here is an incognito maple grove in the winter, who manages to catch a nice amount of snow without having leaves and letting a light breeze and much light through it's branches. Perfect for a cross-country skiing stroll on a warm winter day.





Got a last minute order of mugs. Not a shape I ordinarily make, but I finally gave in to people's requests lately. They're not so bad to make, I just don't tend to drink out of things with handles. They are in the kiln as I'm writing this. The person who ordered them cancelled her order and two days later one of the stores I supply in Montréal called me up to see if I had more mugs. Things always work out, sometimes it takes longer than that, but in the end I guess it always does.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Follow the light

I think I must start every winter post with an inspiring winter scenery, sorry..


I always like to make lanterns for the end of fall, just after the time-change and when everything gets dark early. Light is so uplifting during that time and all through winter, I find. It's been a bit delayed this year and I made them for early winter. I always find it fascinating to stare at light in the dark.
I feel like a fairy with my lanterns, able to alternate whichever environment one may be in just by turning the light switch on. The lanterns can reflect the light and motifs on the walls and all the way to the ceiling making us forget where we are and who we are (for a brief moment if you're an adult). 
It's very relaxing.  In early december, I made an installation with a few other potters of  about 20 lanterns in a dark room. When one enters the space, it's like stepping into a fantasy world. It's magical.
Here are some examples of my work, even though it's hard to compare it with the real experience..

Square lantern, 60cm high, 25cm wide

Square Lantern, detail


Drop lantern, 35cm high










Saturday, December 04, 2010

Serenity

This is the creek that runs behind my house. Winter is here and everything is in its place. All is heavy and silent, except for the sound of flowing water. Nothing is stagnant, everything is in movement from within. That's exactly how I feel about my work these days. It is stirring my mind, my emotions and my results to fire at cone 9-10. I am glad to be surrounded by such beauty that is strong enough to calm me and help me contain the fire within.
My winters are never cold.
(I am SO ready for a woodkiln!)