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The Nature of Things
We live and work in an incredibly beautiful place. This valley called Cuyahoga is amazingly diverse—a symphony of the senses. I have walked many of the trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Tree Farm Trail is one of my favorite places, and I wrote about it here. I am always in awe when I complete the trail and come upon Horseshoe Pond.
I worked on a piece that’s my interpretation of this place. Here is a photo of the piece in process:
And here is the finished piece:
These are some of the things that keep me grounded: connections to the beauty of the natural world, and the ability to manifest my connections in clay.
My Town Monday: Plein Air Retuns to Peninsula
For years, artists have tried to capture the beauty of the crooked river that is called Cuyahoga. Painters, photographers and artists with sketch pads are regular sights in this Valley.
On Saturday, June 12, 2010, a group of regional artists will converge on the Village, canvases, easels and paints in hand. They will be participants in the second annual Plein Aire competition that is sponsored by Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce. En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air.” It is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein air painting has it’s roots in 19th century Europe. The invention of tubes that contained pigments made painting portable, and the introduction of the steam engine gave painters a way to travel for their art.
If you’re in our neck of the woods or are in the mood for a beautiful drive, come on over and see us. You can watch the painters, take a hike in the amazing Cuyahoga Valley National Park (did you know that it is the 6th most visited National Park in the country?), take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and explore the Village of Peninsula. We’re looking forward to meeting you.
For more information on the Plein Aire competition, visit here.
Mug Shot Winner!
Kim Ayres is the winner of our Ugly Mug Contest, not because he has one, but because he won the drawing.
Kim is an extraordinary fellow. His writing is honest and clear, and his photographic images touch my being. They are as honest and clear as his writing. Some months ago, I wrote this about photography:
“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.”
Thanks to everyone who entered. If you are so inclined, you can order your own mug here. And, as always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know that you’ve stopped by.
Spring Stroll and Faeries, Too: A My Town Monday Post
Join us in the Village of Peninsula next Saturday, May 22nd, as we stroll into Spring. We will have some faerie houses for you to discover, and a faerie marketplace too. Here are some photos of some of our faerie house builders, and a sample of what you’ll find, both at our Elements Gallery, and around the Village.
In May of 2009, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, hosted a village-wide display of fairy houses and gardens. Here is a look at some of them, starting with those at Elements Gallery.
Wander on over to My Town Monday for a look at what other folks have to say about their necks of the woods.
Send Me Your Mug Shot: A Contest
It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There is no question that most mugs are functional: they hold the liquid which has been placed inside. There are, it seems, other factors that make a mug “work.” The size and weight of the vessel, and the size, weight and position of the handle are important to the user. And then there are other factors. How has the piece been decorated? For me a question is: has it been made by hand?
Some mugs are beyond description—- and that, my friends, is why we are having an Ugly Mug Contest. Send me a photo of your ugly mug and I will enter your name in the contest. The prize? One of our favorite mugs! Send your photo to: from skilled hands AT g mail DOT com (remove spaces).
Here are some photos:
And here is the mug and the comment that inspired this contest:
Kris stated, “I didn’t send a picture last time because I *hate my mugs! I don’t have a one that I love. I can tell by the image above that the handles of those mugs are perfect – plenty of space for more than two fingers, which I like. Want me to send you a picture of the mug I use but don’t love??”
Mug Shot Winner
The winner of one of our favorite mugs is Laura P. I know she loves her little brown mug, and I hope that she will love one of our favorite mugs, too. Check back tomorrow for a look at our next drawing, where, you, too, will have the opportunity to win!
Send Me Your Mug Shot. But Wait! There’s More!!
You still have time to send me your mug shot! Send me a photo of your favorite mug for a chance to win one of ours. I’ll be drawing a name Sunday, May 9 (in NE Ohio). For a look at some mug shots that have already been posted, wander over here. Scroll down to see what other folks are drinking out of, and, as always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.
Mostly Wordless Wednesday: Mug Shots
On Monday, I invited you to send me your mug shot for a chance to win one of our mugs. Folks have started to send me shots of their favorite mugs. I’ve posted some below. There’s still time to be entered into the drawing. It will be one of my high tech drawings, where I pick a name out of a hat. Perhaps it would be appropriate for me to draw a name out of a mug! The contest closes Sunday, May 9, at 12:01 AM.
Send your mug shot to: from skilled hands@ g mail DOT com (remove spaces).
Mug Shots: A My Town Monday Post
As I sit sipping my coffee with frothed, steamed milk, I cradle my sacred mug in my hands. The mug’s the thing, more than it’s contents. It’s handle, user friendly; it’s body rounded to fit in my hands. Mugs are a personal thing.
Last summer I asked what you like in a mug. Since Spring has finally really arrived in my Valley, it’s time to ask again. What do you like in a mug?
Send me your mug shot, and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for one of our favorite mugs. Using my usual high tech method, in which I draw a name from a hat, I will draw a name on Sunday, May 9, and post the winner in next week’s MTM post.
Send your photo to me: from skilled hands AT gmail DOT com.
Visit My Town Monday to see who has what to say about his or her town.
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