From Skilled Hands

When I look at a photograph, I feel like I have a glimpse into how the photographer sees the world. That’s what I like about photographic images—it’s not the “prettiness” of a view—it’s the quality of the light, the slant of the sun, the place where the shadow meets the light.

And once in a while, I come across someone who sees the quiet spaces, the places where my heart stops to linger and to rest. A person who sees the extraordinary beauty in ordinary objects, and who appreciates the sacredness of it all.

Jodi Anderson captures moments in time through images and words that touch my being.  She shares her work at her blog, so Not cool,  and at the Women’s Colony. She has just opened an online shop where her luminous photos are available for others to own and enjoy.  Jodi is hosting a giveaway of one of her pieces at the Women’s Colony as well as a 10% discount (the discount code is WOMENSCOLONY11) and is available to Jodi’s readers through November 23.

You can read what Jodi has to say about herself here. You will also find links to her main blog, her poetry, her videos and other things she shares.

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If you are so inclined, please visit Cups of Kindness, our art show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

I have mixed feelings on this day of days.  I am reminded that I am a motherless child and that there are so many things I would ask my mom if she were here.  I can still hear her voice on the phone, “Hi, Doll.”  And I can see the young mother with 2 daughters making grilled cheese sandwiches to go with the tomato soup that came out of the red and white can. I think of the woman who witnessed this daughter’s journey for independence and to find her own way. The woman who didn’t understand the choices her daughter made and had her own struggle to accept them.  The woman who loved her granddaughters unconditionally.

I remember my mother in her ICU bed, telling me that I had taught her a lot about being a mother, and thanking me. I remember one of her gifts to me when I didn’t know where to be—at her bedside or at home with my husband and daughters. She said, “I love you. Go home. With my blessing.”  I came home on February 15th to my husband playing outside with our daughters. There was a sign on the door. Happy Valentine’s Day. They had moved the day on the calendar so we could celebrate it together.

On this day, as I walked with the dogs, I thought of the sweetnesses that I have experienced in these woods, of #1 daughter being a pony or a unicorn, galloping through the woods, hair flying as her spirit soared.  Of #2 daughter stopping at each Jack-in-the-Pulpit to make sure Jack was home. “Hello, Jack,” she said each and every time. Of my mother-in-law, reminding me that I am her other daughter, her love-in-law.

Happy Mothers’ Day to us all. Those of us who are one, who made one, and who have or had one.  Take a moment to cherish those you love.

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Thanks to these fine women, among many others, who have shared their thoughts on this day:

Carleen

Carleen, once again

Karen

RudeeK

distracted by shiny objects

Mrs. Chili

Savannah

Patti

Cat

A couple of weeks ago, I had posted some small tiles in process here. Those pieces have been glazed and fired.

These small pieces, that measure about 4.5″ x 4.5″, give me the opportunity to experiment with different carving and glazing combinations and techniques. I like the intimacy of working on a small scale, and the challenge of creating dimension on a flat surface.

Today I continued working on the bigger triptychs. I’ll post more images as they are available.

I have been reading Karen DeGroot Carter’s blog, Beyond Understanding, for some time. I can identify with how she thinks, and her beautiful writing always makes me think. After reading Karen’s latest eloquent post, I came across this TED talk. Synchronicity is alive and well, and for this I am grateful.

We’ve both been working hard in the studio. Steve was trimming cups and putting on handles:

I was working on these small tiles, and a larger triptych:

I’ll continue working on the triptych tomorrow and see how it evolves. There is something magical about the process. When I am quiet and attentive, the clay lets me know what I need to do.

It’s a wee bit chilly in my town, with the temperatures hovering around 2 degrees F, and the windchill plummeting them well below zero. The warmth of community is a pretty wonderful thing. Take a look at my town, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, gently resisting change since 1837.

Outside and inside the Log Cabin Gallery:

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Travis Erwin is the Chief Marauder of My Town Monday. He’s taking a break until after the holidays. In his absence, Junosmom and Chris are posting the links to My Towners. Take a look at their sites; you’ll find links to people blogging all over this incredibly amazingly diverse and beautiful blue planet. You’ll learn a lot and have fun, too.

And Happy 17th Birthday to my amazing and wonderful #2 daughter.

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And if you are so inclined, please visit Cups of Kindness, our benefit for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Each dollar raised purchased 7 nutritious meals. So far, we have raised enough money to purchase over 13,000 meals. That is 21.6 meals for each of the 602 people in Peninsula.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

“Light One Candle.” Olive, boxwood, bloodwood. Hand turned by George Raeder.

“It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” Chinese Proverb

I have always had faith in the goodness and generosity of us all. Cups of Kindness has been a testament to this; a testament to the Power if One.

So far, we the people have raised almost $1300 for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. That means that we have purchased almost 9100 meals. Many hands and hearts are working together to make this happen.

Please join us as we raise a Cup of Kindness. Remember that each dollar raised provides 7 nutritious meals. When you purchase an item from the website or from our galleries as a gift, you are giving many times.

And if you’re in our neck of the woods, stop by the Village of Peninsula, have a cup of coffee (you can even purchase your own cup), and explore our beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Ride the train, see Santa and the lights as the Polar Express rolls into town. We’d love to visit with you.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

I was looking at some pieces of glass and of pottery the other day. Pieces that are wonderful in their simplicity and purity. There appears to be no ego—the pieces are not signed and have obviously been well used. They are perfect in that their design is matched with their function. Who were the makers of these vessels? It hardly matters.

These are the unknown craftsmen and craftswomen. Folks who made things out of necessity and for the joy of the making. Nothing but that. And that, my friends, is something we can all learn.