2014 > 2013

Out with the old, in with the new. It's been quite a year, friends, and certainly quiet one, digitally speaking.

On May 15th, 2013, two days after our scheduled departure for five weeks backpacking in Europe, my wife, Krystal, was diagnosed with a classical Hodgkin Lymphoma. Needless to say, by this point we were certainly not doing any backpacking. Long story short, on October 15th, 2013, after four full rounds of chemotherapy, Krystal was declared in complete clinical remission.

See! Good news! We'll just ignore the bad news that came first, right?

Like I said, quite a year. But we came out on a high note, certainly. On account of having already quit our jobs, stowed our earthly belongs, and selling our house in South Dakota, we spent six months in Arizona where we got to spend some quality time with Krystal's family during her treatment. I found work that kept me busy and the medical collectors at bay, but unfortunately left me in a clay- and studio-less state. In October, my wife was offered a job in Northern Colorado. With the clean bill of health in tow, we returned to the Rocky Mountain State and are making a home (and studio) in Loveland, CO.

[That really is the shortest version of the story. Mayhaps there is more to be shared later. This is it for now. Thanks for understanding.]

So: back on the road to having a studio up and running. Still some logistical issues to sort out in preparing the house for full studio-ness, but the bottom line is that there is clay in my immediate future, and I'm very much looking forward to sharing whatever 2014 may have to offer.

Currently working on a few small projects related to getting the studio up and running and should be able to offer some sort of a post on that in the near future.

In the meantime: Happy New Year!

------

And as a PS: in as much as there's a lot of 2013 I'd like to just put in a box and forget about, please celebrate with me my favorite music from last year. Because, you know, that's kind of a thing I do.

10. Justin Timberlake, "The 20/20 Experience."

I'll probably losing my indie cred for including this record on my list, but let's face it: this two-part project is chock-full of undeniably catchy pop. I lean toward Part I in my including it on the list, but I won't back down and am not ashamed to say that "Suit & Tie" was my jam for the better part of 2013. Check out: "Suit & Tie"

9. STRFKR, "Miracle Mile." 

Though I'd certainly hesitate to even mention them by name in polite conversation, I was really first introduced to this band by their inclusion in one of this year's SoundSupply Drops. And it's just an impeccable Alt-Rock/Pop album all the way through. This one became an almost immediate favorite of mine and was certainly perfect for summer in the desert. Check out: "While I'm Alive"

8. Atoms for Peace, "Amok."

Pet project of Thom Yorke (Radiohead) notably featuring Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and the extremely talented Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronko, and Mauro Refosco. Great mood music for a long, hard year. Along the same vein as Yorke's solo outing ("Eraser") and Radiohead's latest "King of Limbs," it's a great electro-jazz groover. Check out: "Before Your Very Eyes"

7. Citzens, "Citizens."

It's rare anymore that I come upon a "Christian" radio station that plays anything I'm really excited about listening to, much less introduces me to a new artist. Citizens certainly blew those expectations out of the water after I heard their song "Made Alive" on the radio in Phoenix this summer. This is just a good record for fans of music (alt-rock, specifically). Check out: "Made Alive"

6. The Hawk In Paris, "Freaks."

Dark pop. Clever lyrics, cleverer hooks. Hard not to groove along with this project featuring Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay) on lead vocals. Check out: "Freaks"

5. Leagues, "You Belong Here."
Great danceable pop-rock here. I was grandfathered into my Leagues fandom via guitarist Tyler Burkum's previous work as a solo artist, hired gun (Mat Kearney, Matthew Perryman Jones) and as longtime lead guitarist of Audio Adrenaline (arguably his least engaging work as a musician thus far). Great beats, grooves, melodies, and harmonies throughout. Check out: "Walking Backwards (Live)"

4. The Civil Wars, "The Civil Wars."
I hope they're able to work out their "irreconcilable differences of ambition" to bring us more music, because Joy Williams and John Paul White make magical things happen together. Check out: "Dust to Dust"

3. The National, "Trouble Will Find Me."
I'm a late adopter of these slow-building indie darlings (2010's "High Violet" made a believer of me). This is a nearly flawless record. Haunting and beautiful, with layers upon layers of sonic master strokes. Check out: "The National - NPR Tiny Desk Concert"

1. TIE - Derek Webb, "I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry, & I Love You" / Jars of Clay, "Inland."
Two beautiful records from artists that write consistently write some of the truest music exploring the depths of life, love, and faith. Definitely worth checking out, regardless your personal feelings on any of those topics. Webb returns to his alternative rock/country roots after several experimental records for this beautiful collection of songs, while Jars of Clay forges new, yet familiar, ground again with a record that simply feels more "real" than just about anything else out there these days.

Check out: Derek Webb, "Everything Will Change"

Check out: Jars of Clay, "Love in Hard Times"

A Mid-Globetrotting Update

Greetings, friends!

Thought I'd pop in and send a few photos your way. In addition to "the move," we're looking a lot of travel in our immediate future (and immediate past). Krystal had to travel to Pennsylvania the last week of April for the annual meeting of a board on which she serves, so I tagged along for the trip. 

We spent a couple days in Philadelphia catching the sights (historical and otherwise) and practicing for our upcoming European backpacking trip (what, I haven't mentioned that yet?) with efficient packing and hostel accommodations. As someone who has always been an automobile traveler (me), this was a great dry run on which to learn "Yes, you definitely need to bring this" and "No, you definitely don't need to bring that" and "Why is Luke's backpack smaller and lighter than Krystal's? That doesn't seem fair!" So, obviously a lot going on there.  Oh, look - pictures!

Independence Hall. Quite impressive from down the green.

Liberty Bell/Independence Hall.

Found Ben Franklin's privy. Definitely not the most fascinating part of the Ben Franklin houses area, but still seemed like we ought to snag a photo of that one. 

We managed to coordinate our visit to coincide with the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Wednesday night "pay what you want" special. The Museum stayed open until 9 and attracted a diverse crowd and many families with kids for whom the $20 tickets might otherwise have been prohibitive, while also offering special activities for children of all ages, free guided tours, and yoga in the galleria staircase, just to mention a few things. It was great fun and a good warm-up for all the museum-ing we'll be tackling in Europe (have I mentioned that trip yet?).  But anyway, saw some great art by great artists and very excited to see even more.

They had really quite a tremendous collection of Picasso's works.

Also tremendous: a collection of Brancusi sculptures, this representing about 1/3 of the collection. Absolutely beautiful lines, movement, form, and texture. 

Found some pottery in the American gallery. Something art nouveau-y. Beautiful greens.

Found this Qing Dynasty porcelain jar in one of the roccoco period rooms. More beautiful greens. 

Despite her pacifistic leanings, the gallery of medieval arms and armor was Krystal's favorite. That or Renoir. So, you know, those are obvious pairings.

Finished our days in Philadelphia with tours of the Independence Hall complex. While Independence Hall was nifty (you know, famous history, the actual chair where George Washington sat as president of the Continental Congress, whatever...) it didn't come off as nearly as impressive as our experience of Congress Hall which was home to the first sitting congress of the United States of America. So that was pretty neat.

The first US House Chamber.

The first US Senate Chamber.

 We then spent a couple days just outside of Philadelphia at Pendle Hill, a charming Quaker retreat center, for Krystal's board meeting. I made it a point to have my own retreat for the days spent there as well, and was pleased to discover a full pottery studio in their craft room. I spent an afternoon throwing some pots and enjoying some great conversation with some of the resident students on campus, and left three pieces to be fired and glazed at their discretion. Was a refreshing time after having packed my studio up for the move.

Three pieces to stay behind at Pendle Hill.

When I wasn't throwing pots and being contemplative at my leisure, I was instructed to put some effort into itinerizing our time overseas. So I did spend a lot of time doing stuff that looked like this.

After almost a week on the east coast it was time to return and deal with real life stuff. Like loading a moving truck. That was a chore, but we have wonderful friends who made it possible and not miserable.

See all those blue bins? Those are pots YOU didn't buy, so I had to move them. Ugh.

Now all our earthly belongs are in storage and we're taking a spell off from the real world to do some globetrotting (specifically, abroad).  One week from today we'll be on our way across the pond to spend roughly five weeks hiking and train-ing our way across the continent. Should have some great stories to share when we return. 

Take care!

Radio Silence

Things have been quiet here lately. So here are a couple of things worth sharing:

1. Getting ready for the "show" aspects of the upcoming Spring Zonta Sale THIS WEEKEND at the Pierre Mall, Saturday and Sunday. Come and say hi if you're in the area, pick up some pottery because...
2. I'm going on a studio hiatus do to an upcoming relocation. As in, out of town, out of state, here we go again.  The house is sold, the studio is being cleaned and packed. I'm hesitant to announce any further details in this space until they're pinned down with some more finality. We have a bad habit of making plans and then changing them last minute.
   
   For fans of my work who are local, this means that this weekend's sale is the last chance to get my work locally for a while. I won't say ever, but for a while. For those non-local, it means I've had to turn down too many orders for work in the last month than I should ever be comfortable with. Thank you in advance to those who have allowed those orders to be filed as a "hold," rather than "dismiss," until we get settled and my studio can be up and running again.
3. The good news, for me and pottery fans everywhere, is that having my own studio equipment means I won't have to wait (I hope) as long to get back into the swing of things once the dust has settled.
4. Also, I'd rather not move my inventory with me, so now's a great time to make me an offer and haggle over the details on work in stock. Which is hard to do over the internet, but know that it's an option.
5. Thanks again for following along. I know at least three people read my ramblings regularly, and I appreciate all of you dearly.
6. A sixth entry, for good measure.
7. And seven because it's my favorite number.

I hope you got all that. I'll try not to disappear for too long this time. In the meantime, keep tabs of me on Facebook and Twitter.

Firings, New pots, a show is coming up.

Perhaps there will be a good update with words in the near future. Well, there will be. Cause there's news of sorts. But not going to take the time for it right this moment. In the meantime, here are some pots from the last couple glaze firings. Gearing up for the Zonta Spring Craft Sale right here in Pierre in two weeks (April 6-7, Pierre Mall), as well as wrapping up some commissioned pieces. Most of these pots will be at the show. Not the commissioned ones, obviously. And I'm also down three mountain vases in the last week, so sorry about that. Those things just sell themselves.

Lots of glazing in the last couple weeks, all in a couple (2 or 3? I can't remember just now) firings. Nothing spectacular to share, nothing rare going on. Tried out a couple of new glazes, but mostly sticking with the old tried-and-trues. Here are the pictures:

Trying out a new green. Needs a little more trial/experience, but shows promise.

Crocks. Of various color and design.

Stacks of bowls.

Sunflowers. Crocks and vases. At the moment, none are spoken for. For the moment.

Teapot, two cups.

Tea set. Discovered the lip is a little bit blurbly. Blurble is a word. Just as the jabberwocky. Still, nice functionality with practiced pouring and a serving towel handy.

Pour-thru Coffee Brewer. With matching mug.

Set of four communion chalices. Shipped westward this week.

 

Custom order. Everyone will know this is Adam's stein.

That's the work, thanks for stopping by. And, of course, listening to lots of great music, but trying not to spend too much money these days. Lots of great stuff over at Noisetrade. Josh Garrels' "Love, War, and the Sea in Between" is available again and was one of my favorite discoveries back in 2011. Check it out.

Until then: take care. Stay warm. It's spring, you know.

It's March! [Wanna buy some pots?]

What, am I getting my monthly post out of the way already?

No, I'm trying to make a more conscientious effort to stay connected. So here I am, writing to you on March 2nd, and thinking Maybe - just maybe - you'll here from me again before April Fool's Day comes around.

If you don't follow me on Facebook, you might not know that I've got some pieces I'm featuring as a bit of an inventory reduction movement sale thingamajig. These are pieces that just don't travel to shows with me anymore, as they are either no longer representative of my style (older pieces) or never representative of my style (experimental pieces).  I think I've currently got twenty-some odd pieces listed with dimensions and prices over there, including those pictured below.  For the complete inventory with dimensions and pricing, please check out the full album at Luke Langholz Pottery Facebook.

Arizona Jar #1 - $30

Arizona Jar #3 - $50

Arizona Jar #2 - $32

Arbor Bowl - $40

Flared Bowl - $25

Medium Bowl #1 - $30

Medium Bowl #2 - $35

Grass Vase - $40

Set of Bowls - $60

Tea Set - $80

Bottle Vase - $45

And for a limited time (while they last) I'll be including a small bowl from one of my first glaze-test firings with any purchase. An assortment are seen above.

And this is just a fair sampling. There are more pieces listed on Facebook, as well as more details on each piece including dimensions and glazes, etc.

If you're interested in something listed here, there are a few ways to let me know:

1. Leave a comment on the blog indicating which piece you'd like, and we'll go from there.
2. Shoot me an e-mail at lukelangholz (at) msn (dot) com, indicating what you'd like.
3. Find the photo on Facebook and leave a comment or shoot me a private message about which one you'd like.

Sales are on a first-come basis, and I will accept payment via check, Paypal, or (if local) I'll take cash or credit card.  If you'd like, I can also post a requested pot to Etsy listed as "RESERVED FOR..." and carry out the sale transaction that way.

Note: Local sales will be subject to SD State Sales Tax.

Enough business, though. Enjoying a beautiful, sunshiny March day here this weekend. The air is warm and the grass is... well, most of it is still dead. But it feels practically springy. Of course I see we've got snow in the forecast for later this week, but that's the way it goes.  All that to say, it's hard to drag myself into the dungeon studio when it's sunny up above the ground, but I'll get down there. Got some work to finish up this week, and then I'll be firing soon. Lots of firing. Uff-da!

This week in the studio I've been listening to a lot of music I've picked up from Noisetrade over the last couple of weeks. In case you don't know, Noisetrade is a site that promotes new and established artists by releasing singles, EPs, samplers, and full length albums for FREE LEGAL download in exchange for your e-mail address and zip code.* It's a great place to discover new music, risk free.

Recent highlights receiving a lot of playtime on my iPod include (in no particular order): The Stone Foxes (blues rock), Panda Panda! (electric/eclectic), Rogue Pearl, The ACB's (both alt/rock), Thad Kopec (alt/folk), and a stunning concept record by Heath McNease inspired by the writings of C.S. Lewis (umm... acoustic/singer-songwriter/hip-hop/spoken word?). So I guess recommend checking them out.

Well, I guess that's it for today. Hope things are sunny in your corner of the world and thanks for indulging these verbal expressions. Adios!


*For more information on this business model, here is a fascinating read from singer/songwriter and Noisetrade co-founder Derek Webb on the reasoning behind giving away music for free.