Bushmills

somehow this seemed easier before…

the tractor of my dreams remains in the land of dreams

in good company, laughing at me wryly with many others
as they sit around the fire at night and chuckle at my continued silliness...

I'm still… hauling the logs by hand out to the trails

it is closer than a gym and costs no money…

it seemed easier before

that’s what I tell myself anyway…

with only the March and April racks left to fill

I am remembering my Irish grandfather…

after a long day of pounding nails well past his 60’s

he’d sit in his stuffed chair in the evening

and call out to my grandmother...

Hazel… will you bring me my “medicine”…

soon she  would enter like an angel,

carrying a clear glass of amber with 2 ice cubes

and I’d watch him sip the physical aches and pains away

as his crooked smile would return and he’d speak of his day…

someday I’ll get that tractor, at least that's what I tell myself anyway…

for now, though, I have my Bushmills,
 in a beautiful cup... shimmering with the melted ash of trees...

Oval Vase

Oval Vase
12in.H x 5.5in.W x 4in.D
$250

Tube Vase w/ Ochers

Tube Vase w/ Ochers
12in.H x 4.5in.W
$200

Oval Jar w/ Notched Lid and Ash Runs

Oval Jar w/ Notched Lid and Ash Runs
13in.H x 12in.W x 9in.D
$850

Hive w/ Cut Sides

Hive w/ Cut Sides and Loose ring lined interior
16.5in.H x 12in.W
Soft Oak Ash Tone w/ Nails
when these were made in the  late Eighties,
I was extremely excited to achieve such a result from the Electrogama
but they were unnoticed at shows then
I wonder how they might be seen in today's contexts...

Bowl w/ Rope like Rim

the bowl from the detail below
10.25in.H x 14in.W
Albany Slip Lined Interior
$850
somewhat basket-like with the crackling Surface

the distant past

seeking some future from a part of my past...
this surface is from a large bowl I pulled from the garage yesterday
hadn't seen it in 17 or so years... it was made easily 20+ years ago
or long enough ago that Albany slip was easily available
the interior is lined with it..
seems worth pursuing again in the near future...
who knows... I'll see what it does now...
and how it might interact with current surfaces...

morning

this morning through the bedroom window
chilly night last night
in mind and body, as fall entered the room
temps in mid 40's and the air was crisp
the morning, though, leaves all that behind...

Flame Path Tray w/ Squares

Flame Path Tray w/ Squares
22in.W x 14in.H x 1.75in.D
no hanger....
$800

Wood Load

Back last night in the dark from Wyatt's soccer practice with another load of slabs
up to the kiln this morning, back for more in a day or two
the ole 88 still can carry a load well
for that I am most grateful...
I suppose I could just be turning a switch
and avoid all this fun...
but... what fun would that be?

Wet Oval Jar

Wet in the Studio
I finally, am getting some time to make some pots
after an extended time of cups and bowls, house repair and painting.
wood cutting, which continues,
and the pleasure of summer with my boy Wyatt when he is here...
seems the old prickly pots have returned...
perhaps my current state of mind, perhaps something as yet unknown
I'm not always sure and that's just fine...
the job is to follow the unconsciousness of things
and try to step forward...
even if only in small steps, a bit at a time...
there's been a lot of deep heavy water to wade through these past months...