Handles Mesiah

It's been awhile since I made boats. Boats for me are about life's voyage. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about my life's voyage. It's been a hellava sail. I'm down here in Mississippi on the Gulf Coast so a marine reference in the work seems appropriate. Brian and I share a similiar narrative. Smooth sailing, rough waters, disappointments, elation and I think most of all an entrepreneurial work ethic. Oh ya a love of our jobs and the people that we have in our lives. I've made some cups, some jugs and a big roll so I wanted to make something for me. This ain't a demo piece. It's something that I can't do in my sleep. The jugs, cups and plates are easy for me. I have done them a thousand times maybe even a hundred thousand times. I'm gearing up my wee brain thinking of things I will make at The Bray next fall. Not sure I want to make functional pottery. It may be vessel related but I don't want to care if it pours, if it is food safe, if it leaks or whether it matches the sofa. I've paid my dues and it's long past time I made things that stretch my creative soul. Last year at Sugar Maples in the Catskills one of the potter/musicians Peter Simon told me he was going write an oratorio for me called "Handles Mesiah". Maybe you've heard of Handels Masiah by George Frederick Handel? I got one boat made in white stoneware and another on the go in the high iron stoneware. I hope both boats make it outta dry dock and set sail in the wood salty water of Brian's bourry box pirate ship. We're planning an exhibition at the end of the workshop and I'd love to see these boats full of flowers.