Busy Weekend (and still one day left).

I've had a busy weekend so far. But a good kind of busy. Pottery, non pottery. All good things. Well, mostly good things. There was the 30 inch vase that I had to trash, but it wasn't too much time loss (section thrown; pieces thrown quite nicely, quite quickly; went a bit too far dry before joining, too much weight in the top half; the pull of reshaping and the added weight caused some issues in the support on the bottom of the vase. I'll be trying again this week.). But productivity was not lost on me. This is what I woke up to this morning:

Them are glazed pots in there.

So of course yesterday was filled with the accompanying sort of messes of glazing and such.

Not the final arrangement: still playing with the best spacial arrangement.

It only took me 4 hours to glaze this kiln-load. Had the table cleared before dinner!

Speaking of dinner, the First Course: garden-fresh grape tomatoes and basil on an olive oil brushed whole wheat crust, topped with feta and just a touch of mozzarella. Grilled. Fabulous. Needed more tomatoes, which we had. Had I known, it would have not been a problem. As it was, hardly a problem.

Among the other things that happened yesterday: we started the morn with a 14 mile run. My longest run to date, Krystal's longest run in nearly 7 years. When we were within a mile of home (we were delirious - debating whether or not rhinoceros are hoofed mammals or not. Because seriously, if you've determined that you're trying to guess a horned, hoofed, herbivore native to the African plains that isn't a cow, buffalo, antelope, or goat, this is an important point. I'm pretty sure they're not hoofed, and I convinced Krystal* as such, but seriously.) - so, let me restart this thought. When we were within a mile of home I observed to Krystal that the Marathon will just be this, twice. Not too shabby, I say. I think I can do it. I think it will not be fun. I think it will hurt. But yeah, I'll get medieval on those 26.2 if that's what it takes.

I also asked Krystal, somewhere around halfway (so, we've already run 8 miles) if going out and running for hours on end ever just seems stupid. She just gave me the look.

All that to say, by noon or so we were all cleaned up and ready to tackle the day with the rest of our tasks, like glazing and groceries and teaching Temperance how to dance. Because she's awesome.

Our dog is an awesome dog: she trains with power and love, our Dog is an Awesome Dog.

So that was our day. Running for the better part of the morning, teaching our dog to dance, buying groceries, glazing pots, grilling pizza. Ready to do it all over again. Except with less being on my feet. Cause I'm sort of done with that. Here are a couple more pictures of things that have been happening this week and last week and such that never got photographed or posted.

This one's actually in the glaze fire already, so a bit behind the times.

This one's drying. Discovered I have sore few of bowls in this style for October show. Time to kick it up a notch. BAM! (Must be channeling my inner Emeril this morning. Don't know what's up with that.)

Bigger mountain vase. Pretty nice balance to it. And the camera's autofocus needs some help apparently. Sorry!

Well, that's all I've got for now. Still working on shots of the last firing, and there may be new pots in view by bedtime tonight. As you saw above, the kiln is still glowing. In fact, it needs to drop about 2000 degrees before I can open it yet. So that may be awhile. But I'll certainly keep you posted.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to keep your Sabbath holy! Or at the very least, restful!

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*in Krystal's defense, when we play the "Guess the Animal Game" she normally goes places like "Grevy's Zebra" or "Reticulated Giraffe." Most people are all like, "Horse" or "Cow" or "Bear."** So, she's hardcore, don't think otherwise. I'm willing to say this one was just misstated.

**In my defense, she has met her match. She may know the rare specifics of Blank Park's collection, but I'm all like, "Amur Leopard, BAM!" or "Narwhal, BAM!"*** Yes, in fact there is such a thing as a European Bison, and that's why I kick butt at this game. And I've got a secret weapon for the next time around. Been saving it for years. She'll be like, "What? Can't be!" and then I'll come home and bust out or Guide to Wild Animals of the World and be all like, "Read it and WEEP!"

***I'd also like to point out that she required three (3) reliable sources to convince her that Narwhals were real and not just fantastical. Yeah, take THAT!

I made some vases, listened to some tunes.

I found some time for pottery over my long weekend.  Nothing too intense, mostly just a couple hours Friday and Saturday mornings while I let Krystal sleep in.  Not a whole lot of throwing, but plenty of time and effort committed to trimming and decorating and such.  And then Krystal woke up and decided we needed to paint our kitchen/dining room, so there went the rest of my weekend.  Plus, of course, a joyous Easter with more ham than anyone could possibly know how to handle.  I got back down to the studio again Monday night for a little more decorating, and I'll be back into throwing mode later this week/weekend.

Speaking of this weekend, if you find yourself in the Pierre/Central South Dakota area (why wouldn't you?) come on down and check out the Short Grass Arts Council's 12th Annual Gallery Show held the Pierre Chamber of Commerce.  I will be entering five pieces, and it is (apparently) a great place to see work from local artists and area high school art students.  My first foray into the local art scene.  We'll see how that goes.  To my loyal readership in Iowa, Colorado, and Guam: I understand if you can't make it, but I'm pretty sure I would give you free pots if you did.  Because that would be tight. 

Back to the pots.  Had a little help in my early morning pottings, keeping my floors clean and my feet warm.  Tempy is figuring out her place in the studio just swimmingly.  Also, I think she may be suffering from pica given how much clay I didn't have to pick up after my trimming this weekend.  Here are some pictures of what I've been up to. 

Right at home under my wheel.  Sitting on my left foot is a good place for her.  Right foot would be more problematic.  She also likes to sleep under/behind the stool, but when I get up suddenly it's a little treacherous as the stool is apt to motate.

Big blue.  This guy got decorated Monday night.  There's a picture on my phone I may try to get up here, because, really, I know y'all are waiting with bated breath.

Big whitey on the wheel, still a little wet.  Needed some trimming to help out with that thyroid issue.

Trimmed up a little.  Actually, I think I took this one a little farther even.  Why don't I have a picture of that?

All decorated and such.

All the cool pots dry themselves upside down.

So there you have it.  Some pots.  I'm going to take a break from the vases for just a little bit, I think.  Need to get back to some bowls, and get cracking on some plates and platters and big flat things.  That's the hope anyway.  Also have a number of personal clay projects that need to be taken care of quickly, too.  But not much to say about that right this second.

That's it for the pots.  Some music thoughts below if you want 'em!

I've had some good tunes in the studio lately; I've been working through my iPod alphabetically, by album title, one-per-letter.  So I started with Mutemath's 2009 release, Armistice before moving on to The Civil Wars' 2011 debut, Barton Hollow, and so on and so forth, et cetera, ad infinitum, in cognito.  Mostly I felt the need to mix it up a little and thought this was a good way to do it in a systematic, though still allowing room for preference, way.  Here's where I've been so far (all links go to AmazonMP3, except for "D."

Armistice - Mutemath Excellent sophomore release. Electronic-influenced rock for fans of Muse, Radiohead.  This is a band made up of virtuosos, as far as I'm concerned, on all fronts: guitar, bass, drums, keyboards (keytar!).  For a real treat, pick up the live DVD from this tour. Favorites: Spotlight, Armistice, Clipping, Goodbye.

Barton Hollow - The Civil Wars Debut album from alt/indie/folk duo. Blowing up all over the place. Explosive and oh, so good.  Most of this record is one guitar and two voices.  And nothing is missing. Favorites: Barton Hollow, Poison & Wine, 20 Years.

The Chess Hotel - the Elms 2005 release. Gritty, raw, roots rock.  Some amazing guitar work here, and even more amazing lyricism.  Krystal's favorite song (ever?) is on here, and I'd say it's one of my favorite guitar records.  Favorites: Nothin' to do with Love, Black Peach, The Towers & The Trains, The Way I Will, I've Been Wrong.

Darling, Maybe Someday - Tyler Burkum Solo release from Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline's ax slinger. This is a phenomenal collection of songs from the heart. Country/folk with a really subdued production.  He's reminiscent of Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers.  Favorites: Hurricane, California, Body Moving.

The Everglow - Mae This record put Mae on the map, especially with college radio and hipster, spiritual-not-religious types. Beautiful storytelling, lots of piano, very heavily produced. Rather enjoyable on the whole.  Favorites: Cover Me, Mistakes We Knew We Were Making, The Ocean.

Futures - Jimmy Eat World I mentioned this one last week. Great alt-punk record, good guitar work.  Moody music, good for late-night drives. Favorites: Futures, Work, Night Drive.

Ghosts - Sleeping at Last I've been a fan since I discovered this band on tour with Switchfoot in the fall of 2003. This is a beautifully nuanced record full of guitars that are drenched in reverb and some beautiful vocal work from singer/guitarist/pianist Ryan O'Neal (no known relation to the actor). As mood music go, I'd say it lands somewhere between Futures (above) and The Postal Service's Give Up.  Favorites: Currents, Skeleton of Something More, Trees (Hallway of Leaves).

Hello Hurricane - Switchfoot Tied for best album of 2009 in my book (tied with The Elms' The Great American Midrange).  Modern rock that's got spirit and soul.  I don't think I've gone more than two weeks without listening to this one since it came out.  Key tracks: The Sound, Yet, Hello Hurricane, Always.

Illuminate - David Crowder Band The broke the mold for modern worship music.  They have, at times, three guitars and a violinist.  Who also plays turntables.  They converted a GuitarHero controller into a viable midi-instrument.  Runs the gamut from experimental electronic rock to tender ballad.  Favorites: Open Skies, No One Like You, Deliver Me/Coming Toward, Stars.

Jars of Clay - Jars of Clay Eponymous debut from perennial favorites.  Classic.  This one took me for my run this morning.  The original acoustic post-grunge? Deep lyrics, rich harmonies, deft guitar interplay, lush strings.  He's not spotlighted, but Charlie Lowell's piano/organ/keys are really tight here.  Favorites: Liquid, Worlds Apart, Art in Me, Love Song for a Savior, Flood.