bodner045

I was working with one of my students tonight showing her how to make Christmas trees in clay. An interesting thought happened. She is a good student and has come a long way as she becomes more of an art professional vs more of a craft student. We were talking about "How" to make the Christmas tree and I kept suggesting "what if we do this or that." I explained that each tree must be looked at individually and we think of the possibilities of things to do with the surface and the shape. I explained that there is no right way to make it. We just look at it and think of new ideas that might make each tree more individualistic and interesting. And that is when I realized that one difference in art and craft approaches is with art you usually have the know how technically, assuming you are somewhat proficient. With craft, you want to know how to make it. This is only a small part of it. I am not wanting to confuse craft with craftsmanship at this point. It is jus...

My friends Tom and Susan sent me this poem his mother wrote about Thanksgiving. I think it is lovely and I share the sentiments. We offer gratitude to and for all friends Who create, remake and refine one another; Who point to stars and keep us from the dark; Who help us hear the music in the silent places.... Who hold us and will not let us go. By Marge Ackley Happy Thanksgiving Tom & Susan

Just in case you have lost me and are looking for Brookside Pottery, I am making this simple post on my blog. Some of my customers think lost me or think I have gone out of business after I moved from 3710 South Peoria. So this is a simple way for you to find me if you have googled my business. Where am I? I am not located in the alley behind where I used to be, right behind Locker's Hair Salon, across from channel 2 in Tulsa. The actual address is 1138 D East 37 th Street. I am down the alley off the parking lot in a garage at the end of the building. It is easy to find me if you turn west off South Peoria on 37 th Street and look around the parking lot. What are my crazy hours? Hours: Seems like I am there all the time. I run late and stay late. The official hours are Wed.-Fri for 12-5 And open the 1st and 3rd Sat of every month Don't let that fool you. I am there a lot more and I teach on Tues and Wed nights as well as tutor on ...

Steph's latest pottery face influenced by a drawing by Picasso Steph holds her pot just after it comes out of the kiln. Steph has been enjoying making vessels with faces on them based on her drawings. Friends talking and exchanging ideas. Steph and Don enjoy seeing another pot come out of the kiln. Steph's Indian Face Steph and Don came to see me one afternoon to talk about taking classes. They had found me on the Internet and Steph wanted to learn how to make things with clay. It is a pleasure to teach her. She is in my opinion as good as any fold artist I saw in the Baltimore Folk Art Museum. Her work belongs there. I have taught her several techniques and she continues to grow and learn and is not intimidated by any form or idea. She just gets in there and does it. She keeps a great journal of drawings and ideas and I want to help her find her way to form these ideas. She is very original and loves really bright colors. I have also called in my son, Ian, to he...

VooDoo Diva sitting on the shelf at Brookside pottery, always smiling and waiting for a home. Today a friend posted a quote about happiness on facebook and I cannot get it out of mind without writing about it. I tried to boost myself out the door and "get on with the day" but instead headed for my claw footed bathtub for a soak. It is a great place to think. I wanted to think about happiness which gets a little tricky. The quote that started this is: " Taisen Deshimaru , a Japanese Soto Zen Buddhist teacher writes: If you are not happy here and now, you never will be." If you want to be a happy person that puts a lot of pressure on you. I get a little self doubt if I start questioning it. Would a "happy" person think like that? Wouldn't a truly happy person just say "Oh yes, and push like, lol comment on facebook , the over the fence communication system of our day? I generally feel happy, am told I am a "happy" person and try...

Shy student hides behind her freshly glazed pot ready to be fired. There is the lovely shy student, Angelina. Bird by bird, not quite finished! We have a lot of fun in pottery class and here is what the "Bird Women" and pinch potters did this week. Variety is the spice of life!

A fun combination of earthy and bright. Aloe plants will look great in this combination. The special order asked for variety. So, we have similar shapes and very different color combinations. Up close. Glazed and ready to be fired. Freshly thrown ware made on the potters wheel, waiting to be trimmed. Kim Nelson stopped by the other day and asked if I would make new succulent planters for the middle of their tables in their new location for Blue Moon Bakery. I was delighted and here is the process.

Here it is the best art show in Tulsa! Spread the word and come! No entry fee! Great art, music and refreshments. Support your local artists! I'll take pictures tomorrow and try to interview a few artists as well. See you there! I have a booth too! Friday, November 6th - 11am to 8pm (fire dancers start at 7:30!) Saturday, November 7th - 10am to 6pm YRaffles every day! Free to enter, bring a friend! OVER 35 ARTISTS: Joe Staskal - ceramics, Angie Bovaird - jewelry, Elaine Emmons - beaded pillows, Maggie Connolly - jewelry, Suzi Swinford - ceramics, Kay Blanchard - painting, 3 Peas in a Pod - soaps& lotions, Zebanda - Indian fiberworks, Twisted Buckle - jeweled buckles, Eric Baker - metal & glass sculptures, Mary Little Lamp - knits, Mel Cornshucker - ceramics, Veronica Perkins - jewelry, Donna Prigmore - jewelry, Terri Higgs - silks, Angela Elliston - painted wood plates, Anna Veronesi - chair massage, Sunita Sitara - tarot & numerology, Jayn...

Angels and big pots wait to be fired and glazed for Christmas. The shelves are loaded. These are just a few of the colors and glaze surfaces to choose from. I use both commercial glazes and glazes I mix as well. There are lots of color decisions to be made. I help form and listen to trends. Can't believe I am repeating similar shapes. In grad school I was the least likely out of 12 to do any production pottery. Now I take pride in getting my stuff out there all over the place. It is a survival technique in a tough economy. Can't make enough Christmas trees fast enough and now my students make them too. Fast and easy way to decorate and each tree is different when finished. These still need to be glazed. Lucky for me I have an elf named Vera who loves to help me and together we come up with ideas of affordable Christmas ornaments and she helps the shop survive by producing ornaments and playing with glazes and surface design. Thank you Vira! Ready to be glaze fired pots...