bodner045

I have loved visiting Santa Fe since the 1970's and probably should have moved there in the 70's. Well, I didn't. If I had moved there I would probably be a real estate tycoon and have more cash in my checking account. But, alas I feel like a very rich woman in so many other ways. And, I probably would not have gone to graduate school and would have a very different kind of education. I say I am from Santa Fe, I have just never lived there. It still could happen. So, on my limited budget, I have figured out ways to go there and have a wonderful time and sometimes I think I would like to get some friends together for a mini-tour and show them my favorite ways to spend time in SF. This is my way to have a budget trip to Santa Fe so we can stay longer. Where to stay? I always look at those gorgeous on the square hotels on the corner and I think, One night or four nights? Four of course. That means I don't stay at La Fonda or any other fabulous places. It would t...

Unfinished pots waiting in Tulsa for bright turquoise and indigo blue and browns inside. Very large bowls waiting to be fired with earth surfaces. They will wait until I return. Castile Blue enormous bowl. Complete and waiting for a home. about 12" high and 18" wide "I don't belong in Santa Fe! I am a voo doo deva inspired by a visit to New Orleans about 15" high and ready to be in a garden year round to scare away slugs!" Garden Angel sold to collector recently for $125. About 20" tall. I sit in the motel enjoying being in Santa Fe. It always feels right. I love the galleries, the cool summer weather, the good food and the general environment. We have a funky little motel decorated in the route 66 style and it feels wonderfully alternative. Before I left, I made a few pots in the spirit of Santa Fe. They are glazed and waiting in my kiln at home to be fired when I return. I think they belong in Santa Fe and I would like to find a gallery to s...

It is not just a lump of clay. It is a chocolate cloud. Made by a 6 year old. My friend Vera has two fascinating little grand boys. She brought in this most unusual piece for me to fire and I looked at it and asked what it was. "Oh," she said, "He said it is a chocolate cloud." Of course, how could I not know? I love the way kids think. What a great imagination. And that is so hard for us to regain as we get older. It reminded me of when my friend Kristine's sweet nephew said, "Oh, when you throw on the potter's wheel it looks like the clay is dancing in front of you." We need to listen when children speak.

We were perhaps the craziest as well as the oldest people swimming in the blue hole secret swimming spot on the way to Santa Fe. It is as seen in the sign, 61 degrees year round and sometimes it feels colder when it is 98 degrees outside as you hop in the very cold water. It is a terrifically local unspoiled spot full of local kids and families. We jump in every chance we get as we drive across the country. It feels great once you get in but it really does take your breath away the first few minutes.

My wonderful friend and student Vera Ballew brought her grandchildren and family by to make a few pots. Every age can enjoy making pots from real clay, not molds, It is fun and orginal! It is time to start a new class at Brookside Pottery in Tulsa. It is fun and you get the basics and will discover creativity you never knew you had and have a really good time at the same time. Beginning handbuilding Meets every Tuesday night for 4 weeks starting June 30th. The class is on going and you sign up for 4 at a time. Occasionally in the summer we skip a week or you may have a vacation plan as well. We do our best to stay flexible in the summer and skip every now and then Time 6:30-9:30pm Cost $100 ( $25 each time we meet) and a one time fee of $40 for materials. What you will learn. The basics. Pinching, coiling, building with slabs and hollowing out clay and combining those methods. I demonstrate a new technique every week and you can monkey see monkey do or choose a project of you...

This is a wonderfully utilitarian bowl I made in Costa Rica and brought home to keep. Tonight I cut a wonderfully ripe avocado for supper and served it from this bowl. Lovely and delicious. A bowl like this runs about $15. And, it is a great size for soup and cereal as well. Air conditioning is a relatively new thing, right? I said I would not complain about being warm after freezing this winter. Well, I may have to change the shop hours in order to survive the heat and I am not complaining. If it is going to be above about 93 I will have to work early morning hours and if I have the energy, evening hours as well. It just makes sense. It was 98 on my car thermometer today and the studio was about 94. Sweat was pouring down my back most of the afternoon in the shop on my day off, so to speak, but it was not too bad. My hair got kinky and my bra was steaming but I was not cold. So I will work tomorrow and keep the fan blowing on me the whole time, I hope. I am not complainin...

Thank you Vera Ballew for taking these photos as we made pots in the street in Sapulpa Ok during the Route 66 festival. The wind was blowing like crazy but it did not keep these kiddos from making pottery with me. The made pinch pots with interesting textures and told me all about their lives at the same time. You never know how this will affect their lives later. Most likely someone will want to make pots again. It is great to watch them discover clay and interesting to hear their life stories. Occasionally we had to jump up and catch the tent. Waterstreet Art Gallery paid me a little to make pots with them all day. I think those kids really need more clay activities in school. They could have made pottery all day. I was pooped at the end of a very rewarding day.

Today I sat at a booth in the Route 66 Festival in Sapulpa OK making pinch pots with kids off the street for free all day. I saw the basics. Clay in action as therapy and the joy of watching people learn how creative they can be and how rewarding it is. I think we never get any better than we are in the 6th grade. You have the dexterity and no inhibitions. They know how to communicate and are grateful about the experience. They are critical but now too critical. Those adolescent inhibitions has usually not taken hold yet. One little very masculine little girl wrote a note on her clay to her dad who died last year. It was her shiney diamond like earrings that told me she was a girl. She told me the story about his death and looked longingly into her pot. Another sad and serious little boy, worked and worked on his pot and then left it behind instead of taking the "free pot" with him because he was moving. Obviously he was not happy about moving but was to modest to co...

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