Ed Hall

When I was growing up, my father sometimes seemed like a mystery man, kinda like a character from James Bond (he read all the books and saw every movie). I think because he loved these movies and any mystery, thriller, high stakes kinda thing, when there were things I didn't understand about him, I kinda grouped him with these type of characters. My dad had lived abroad in Turkey, and Trinidad and Newfoundland, and Mexico before he hooked up with my mom. He worked for a "telecommunications" company often on the U.S. air force bases in one of those countries. He had all kinds of fun stories... getting to take special flights, or runing out of gas on some back road in Turkey, or making daquiris in the men's bathroom of the Trinidad  airport, waiting for his friends to arrive. (For this he earned the nickname Mr. Shaker).
So, somehow I added this all up to the idea that maybe he had been in the C.I.A. and lived a second life as a Spy. Yes, when I was little, I really did believe that he had been a Spy. It isn't like when I was growing up he would dissapear or rush off or meet up with strange people making funny swaps, I thought it was in his young-man days... silly me.
The other  mysterious part of my dad is his common name - Ed Hall. Seemingly, not mysterious, but yet it was. Next to my friends church, which was near the University campus main "Drag" on a wall, it was spray painted "Ed Hall Rules!!!" Huh? Why does my dad rule? Must be his Spy days... he is well known, but yet nobody knows who he is- that he is my dad.

I did keep this all to myself, I didn't want anyone making fun of me or more like bursting my bubble.
So, who was my dad? A dad- kind, thoughtful, fun, curious, smart, incredibly supportive, many things. So, for him, I rename this little spot.
Later in my life, He did tell me once that he filled out the paperwork for the C.I.A. but didn't accept so he wasn't a spy (so I think). And, who was this Ed Hall that ruled? A local hardcore band curiously named "Ed Hall". (Later in my teenage years, a flyer for an upcoming show, featured 5 barebottoms with Ed Hall scrawled across made a great bday gift).

Whewweeeee

The globes are from Russell Crotty- I love them!

I saw an image of one awhile back and didn't know who made it 'til the invite for his last exhibit showed up in the work inbox and I did a little nonvisual jump in my seat. Definitely, goes into the category of- man, I wish I made those! drawing, sculpture and design all wrapped up... handmade and graphic- they are solid!

I just looked up his website: http://russellcrotty.com
Did not know he too was a surfer ( I don't think I qualify as a surfer too, just an avid tryer).( scroll down the more finished drawings are nicer.)

Happy Snow Day!

Beachcomber from Dotty Logic

I saw this fabric collection a long time ago and today I thought of good use for it. The link I had was broken, after some hunting around, I found it! hurray!

 Driftwood

 Sand

The designs are super!

Dotty Logic

Sketched

Bundles of Joy

May I present my first babies (that is what our teacher Eric called them!):

These are the first two pieces to come out of the kiln although they are my 3rd and 4th pieces to actually make. They were glazed in yellow and white and are now on the shelf waiting for their 2nd firing. The ceramic studio is rather casual so I am not sure how long it will take to get them back- one more piece (#2) has been added to the shelf as well.
Our teacher suggested keeping a record of the pieces by drawing a little picture and numbering each piece, then writing down which glaze is used. I love the idea of that and started numbering my pieces, however after #6 I have lost count between a couple waiting for trimming, a couple waiting to be fired.. I dont really know how many I have...Also, quite frankly, I am not that good at keeping track of things, so we shall see how that goes. I like the idea and Jun suggested I take pictures with my camera phone so maybe that will be the easiest solution. (Luckily, Marjorie is very good at taking pictures for us so far- Thanks Marjorie!)  Alas, I do have plenty of empty sketchbooks collected over the years that would make a nice ceramic journal ... any suggestions or discussion of organization and record keeping are enjoyed... happy throwing!

White, bright and jumbled

Passed along from a friend- here is a view of Georgia Okeefe's kitchen.
Along with the article about her cooking style and a cookbook from one of her former employees:
Okeefe's Kitchen
I love collecting cookbooks even if I don't cook so much. But, when I do- I use a recipe!
Cookbooks are like a dream of all the things I wish I could do.

Thanks Pops!

This is Vola showing her appreciation for her super new bed made by her father:

The bed in the studio:

A look at the Making  Of process:

That Vola is one lucky lady, maybe her father will hang one of his paintings next- a complete installation

Check him and his paintings out:

Bryon Finn