Bi-monthly meeting… potters, food, pottery talk.

It’s so good when a group of potters can get together, eat great food and talk about pots.  The AVPG, Asparagus Valley Potters Guild is a group that does just that.  The November meeting was at my home and studio this past Sunday night.   Here are some pics of the group.  See more on the AVPG Blog.

  

Front to back.  Pam Adorno, Rick Epstein, Mary Barringer, Lucy Fagella,  Mara Superior,  Evelyn Snyder,  Valerie Brunnell,  Lucien Koonce,  Molly Cantor,  Donna McGee,  Michael Cohen,  Nancy Magnusson,  Meghan Hart, Tiffany Hilton, Robbie Heidinger, Jamie Guggina, Andrew Quient, Steve Earp.  We are missing quiet a few members… it’s just so hard to get everyone to a meeting on the same night! 

In the kitchen… my dog Graham in the middle of things.

Lucy’s Opening At Molly Cantor Pottery

The opening at Molly’s new Gallery/Shop went well.  I brought my camera, but of course forgot to take pictures when it was  busy.  Terri managed to get a couple later in the night. 

Molly and Lucy in with some of Lucy’s pots.

 

 

 Lucy and Molly in front of Molly’s great wall display of her work!

November Studio

What’s Up At the Studio?  It has been busy lately…

I have an opening at Molly Cantor Pottery this Friday Nov. 6th from 5-8pm.   As the artist of the month, my work can be purchased there for the whole month of November.  For those of you who have not seen Molly’s gorgeous new Gallery/Studio in Shelburne Falls, this is a great time to see the space, Molly’s work, and my work.  

 The following Friday, the 13th, 5-7pm  my work is in the annual Cup Invitational at the Artisan Gallery in Northampton.  This show is up until the end of Dec.

Three weekends in November you can find my seconds and discontinued work at the annual benefit at Snow Farm Craft Center.  This is an amazing array of pottery, glass, jewelry, fibers, etc. from artists all over New England!  Proceeds benefit programs at Craft Center.  Nov. 13,14,15.  20,21,22.  27,28,29.

Some of the work I’ve been making for the Nov/Dec. sales   These are the lids (upside down), and body of the French Butter Keepers.   Also shown are two Keepsake Urns and Garlic Graters. 

 

 

Sunday Off… Being a Leaf Peeper

Today was one of those gorgeous Sunday afternoons.  We became tourists in our own county… or Leaf Peepers as we call all the tourists this time of year.   We live in north-western Massachusetts, very close to the Vermont and New Hampshire border. Greenfield is in the valley, with just a five minute car ride the views are beautiful of the surrounding mountains.  These photo’s are taken from the lovely area of Shelburne Ma.  at Apex Orchards looking northeast to Mt. Monadnock, N.H.

Ceramic Artist Interview with Erin

This wonderful, recently graduated from art school, young woman is doing an interesting thing on her blog.  Her blog is called Ceramic Erin.  Erin is interviewing ceramic artists every week or so.  Check out her most recent interview with me on Erin’s  blog.   As an older person I think what she is doing is a great way for young  potters to get information about other potters the best way they know how…  though social networking.  (Ah, I guess 45 is not that old, maybe I should say,  ”as a person who did not grow up in the computer age”.)  Anyway the teacher in me just loves this idea of the interviews.  I know when I was younger I could never get enough of how artist/potters daily lives were set up, and how they made a living doing what they love.

Pottery Studio Guard Dog

My doggie Graham guarding the studio entrance. 

This shot was taken last week when I knew the first hard frost was coming that night.  Sad to say all those flowers were gone the next day.  There just wasn’t enough summer in New England this year.  It really feels like we never really had a summer with all the rain.

Morning Breakfast

My sister Mary came for a visit, as she sat across from at the breakfast table I said hold on, the light is perfect for a “pots in use shot.”  She looked at me like I had two heads, but then realized what I was talking about.  She obliged and put a hold on having her tea and yogurt until the pics were taken.

A Little More Fall Color

Another nice place to visit in Western Ma. is Mt. Sugarloaf in Deerfield Ma.  It overlooks the Connecticut river looking south to Amherst/Hadley/Northampton.  I was hoping for a sunnier day.  Maybe I’ll try again when the color is at its peek next week.

New England Fall Color Begins

As I traveled Rt. 2 (Mohawk Trail)  to the Garlic and Arts Festival this past weekend… (which by the way was a smashing success) I couldn’t help but notice the color beginning.

There is this bridge over the Connecticut river named the French King Bridge.  Tourists always stop to take photo’s there.  At the peak of the season (which should be next week) the side of the bridge is a line of people with their cameras.  It truly is a beautiful sight. 

Entering the Renovated Studio

This is the newly renovated display/glaze area of my studio…  which by the way is a barn which I renovated ten years ago.  When we originally started the barn renovations I imagined it to still have the feel of a barn… but in New England you obviously need to insulate, then sheet rock… hence nice walls, nicer than I imagined.  Now ten years later, after out-growing the space, I added the kiln room addition, and made the already nice display area into a really nice showroom for my work.

… Can you imagine that this exact space was once, (long before we bought the property) a viewing area with a railing around a 6×8′ hole in the floor to watch cock fights.  The house and barn are were built in the 1880’s.  It was a working Chicken Farm and Apple Orchard.  I hope the spirit of the old farmers are pleased with the current use of the barn.  By the way we do have chickens in the lower part of the barn… just no cock fights.