snow day

Another day of snow,

how fortunate that it is all mine.

Willi Singleton cup

the hot tea melting a ring in the snow.

I finished a pair of gloves.

Next time I will carry the twisted knit stitch 

up the middle finger.

xo, j

willi singleton

Today I had the great privilege of visiting Pine Creek Pottery,

the studio of Japanese trained potter Willi Singleton.

Willi uses mostly natural materials, including clay he digs locally

and glazes made from slip and wood ash he processes from corn husk and bamboo.

The pieces are then fired in his four chambered wood fired climbing kiln,

a 30 hour event that requires around the clock maintenance by the artist and a team of friends.

Tucked away in a wooded hollow alongside a creek 

and embraced by a forest of bamboo his studio and home are magical.

Willi carefully handles each piece, reciting its story with such intimacy and candor,

it felt like being properly introduced to the friend I was taking home.

Today I was able to touch that place within me that is so often 

pushed aside as I muddle through the business of my day job.

Now for some tea with my new friend.

xo, j

after the storm

The sky was a silvery grey at dawn this morning

and is now the bright ice blue of the day after a storm.

The year round birds were outside my window 

waiting for the seeds I forgot to pick up last night.

Tomorrow they won't be disappointed.

what i've been doing

Working with oil paint slows me down,

especially important when the rest of my life is so hectic.

The fish wind sock idea just appeared in a sketch one day.

Friday night I attended a local theater production of 'A Christmas Carol.'

It was opening night and my dear A's first performance on a public stage!

He did a great job, so proud of him.

On Sunday I visited an open studio show hosted by a painter friend.

Eight artists had work for sale and I bought a couple of holiday gifts for family.

busy, busy, busy

Hope everyone is well.

xo, j

jacobsburg state park

Although utterly exhausted from work I decided

to take a short walk around Jacobsburg State Park this afternoon.

It felt like snow as the the air was crisp and cold.

I walked around an abandoned quarry and sat for a while

watching as icicles fell into the dark water, echoing off the slate walls.

Down by the creek I slipped on the muddy bank.

My left hand went out to break my fall and landed in a sticker bush.

I pulled out the thorns, brushed off my muddy bum and turned for home.

Despite the mishaps it felt good to clear my head and breathe the fresh air.

Home to a big lunch then I crawled under the covers for a long nap.

More busy days ahead.

xo, j