Dreaming of Portugal

I had a wonderful afternoon with a talented young couple Ali and Carl from Hamakamakes. They are in the process of creating a publication on creativity and the first issue is on Ceramics. Ali had some questions that stumped me. How does nature influence your work for one. I told her I could lie and say that the work I do is referencing rocks, moss and trees I have pondered in nature. Truth is I often make the work and then think to myself oh that reminds me of the rocks on the French River kayaking trip or that glaze reminds me of the time Stoner Steve flew me over the coastline of Lake Erie in March when the ice was piling up. Travel and getting out of the studio is important and there is little doubt about that. I'm thinking about my Intensive Course at ClayKitchenPortugal. I'm tired and need to make some work that is new and unexplored but comes from a deep well of 43 years of doing it all. Yes, I even did raku. My halo slipped. I leave for Portugal in a months time and I'm going to spend the next month playing with earthenware. I love the vibrant colour pallette and of course the beautiful colour of the red clay. I told Brother David in Portugal and he said oh good lets go dig up some red e-ware clay. So how does nature influence your work?? Hmmm. I'm thinking beautiful blue water, warm and bright colours. Canada on the other hand at this time of year is grey and predominantly cold colours. There is one spot open for the course. If you are on a clay journey and want to kick it into orbit then join us. This is going to be life changing for me and for you.