Pattern

Yesterday, as I sat in my shop looking over all the pots that I was painting, my daughter, Evelyn, came in from just getting off the school bus and after my inquiry into her school day, I was struck, really struck, by the shirt she was wearing and its pattern.

I'm not sure how it will translate itself onto my pots, but I'm sure something interesting will emerge. The colors remind me of Iznik pottery. Patterns, too. Maybe I will paint some of my porcelain dishes with some similar colors and slip them into the wood kiln this weekend.

You can find out what happens if you come out next week for the "Mountain" Cousins in Clay here at my place in Bakersville. Go to our Cousins in Clay web site for details and directions.

Wish me luck.

Cousin Bruce

Bruce Gholson has been an influence and hero of mine ever since I began making pots way back in 1983. My teacher at UT/Knoxville, Ted Saupe had a bunch of Bruce's pots and in particular a little set of fluted cups that were my obsession for quite a while. As a matter of fact I drank my morning of coffee out of one of them for a long time. I was fascinated by their weight, their handles, the zig zag fluting, and their beautiful shino glaze. I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures of them to show you.




Bruce continues to inspire me with his wonderful forms and beautiful glaze surfaces. It is an honor to be in his company and as he and Samantha's guest at Cousins in Clay this weekend. I can't wait to see their latest pots! And we hope to see YOU!

Read the (Mud) Bucket interview of Bruce and his partner, Samantha Henneke here.