For literally thousands and thousands of years, the human animal has expressed its inner life through its hands, pigments of the earth, water and its own needs.

This is an amazing picture of the hands, as if a stencil cut out, on the walls of the cave in Papua New Guinea.  I feel the sense of time, history and its connection to all through these works.

It’s hard to imagine what life was like so so long ago.  Having these representations is a clear reminder that humans have inhabited the caves, meadows, mountains of Mother Earth.  I cherish these pictures as well as all art that can teach us, inspire us, and share the visions of daily life.

Water + clay + earth pigments = a history of mankind!

We had a great dinner celebrating Valentine’s Day tonight.  While I was setting the table we started talking about how long we have had these dishes.  Bruce reminded me that our dinnerware was from our high fire stoneware days before we converted to electric.  So that puts these dishes in the early 80′s.  It’s amazing to realize that these dishes have lasted as long as we have been making pottery.

We have added a few different sets of dishes from other potters over the years.  We enjoy the fact that our dishes are really strong  and don’t ever chip.  And we don’t ever seem to tire of them!

The dish on the right had some ochre added to the glaze which fired them green instead of blue.  I remember that Bruce was upset they went green.  Now 30 years later it doesn’t seem to matter.  They are classic and just right!

Madge has her talent-mine starts out with a light roast containing more antioxidants, add non-fat froth (I love my frother) and a touch of cinnamon on top!

Being able to fashion the elements of the earth with water to create a form with utility as well as a charm is one of life’s most pleasant gifts.  I am constantly amazed even after thirty some years that the delight in the process exists every day I engage in this profession.

When friends or acquaintances I haven’t seen for many years suddenly come into my sphere, I find it a little off putting to their queries.  They go something like this: “You’re still making pottery?” As if, “You haven’t moved on to a more serious profession like I have” or “How can you stand doing the same thing for such a long time” or even “Why haven’t you grown up?”

What there is to realize is what’s in a life, what’s in this life where the primary activity has been creating.  So in the art profession, there is the thought process which directly intersects with life’s experiences.  There is reflection, interpretation, integration, organization.  A highly complex activity occurs each time an object is brought to life.  Even if it looks repeated, it can never be repeated exactly.  Because no two seconds are ever exactly alike.

So I say, “Yes, I am still making pottery.  It’s been my life’s work for most of my life.  I asked for the opportunity to work with my hands.  I got it.  I hopefully made the most of it and continue to explore the gifts of creation, healing, and expressing the inner world with these wonderful hands.”