2016-10-16 - Sunday - Charlotte Contemporary Show

Sunday I went to the Charlotte Contemporary Show. The number of talented artists and the level of their talent was amazing. That makes it even more heartbreaking to see the poor attendance. I equated this show to the level of the ACC show, but Jennifer McCurdy told me she thought this group of artists was a cut above the ACC shows.

Some of my friends and acquaintances were in the show. While it was nice to see them and have a chance to talk, I wish they had more customers. This could be a great show if they can just drive more people to it.

There were many different types of artists at the show, but as you can guess I spent my time with the clay people. I didn't even get to all of them, either. I met a few more potters whose works were new to me, and unfortunately for them they had time to discuss it.

Jeff Pender.

Akira Satake.

Timothy Sullivan.

Eric Knoche.

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2014-11-14 - Friday - MAJOR Catch-up Part 2

More speed-blogging to catch up to the present.

Spider housing

On October 10 I grabbed this video of a really nice spider web on the front porch.

Here's another favorite photo:

On October 19 Karen and I went to Asheville for a couple of days.  She had a planning retreat for work and I was her plus one.  We enjoyed our stay at the Grand Bohemian Hotel and Greg (another plus one) and I went out to see the sights.

Before we left I saw this shadow of
a steel sculpture we have in the back yard.

Geometry.

Turns out it was from the floor lamp
Karen was using in the hotel room.

I try to be receptive of light and shadows that I might otherwise miss.

October 20

View out the hotel room window at 7:45 am.

Greg and I went to visit Akira Satake to pick up his donated piece for Clayworks annual fundraiser, An Evening of Earth & Fire.  It's always fun to talk to Akira about his art and it was amazing to see so much of his work in one place.  I was so overwhelmed I forgot to take a photo of the other 75% of the room which was filled with his work.

An Evening of Earth & Fire postcard on Akira's refrigerator.

Greg and Akira discussing one of his latest pieces.

October 21 trip to the park

Sculpture in the hotel courtyard.

Autumn stream.

Anglers in the catch and release section.

Autumn.

Country path.

Greg and I took a drive out to the North Mills River Campground to get some autumn photos.

We had just arrived at the park and were standing on a bridge when a volunteer fireman drove up in a pickup truck and asked if we called 911.  We said no, he got on his radio, and drove up one of the roads.

Not two minutes later another volunteer drove up and asked if we knew where the sick person was. We said, "No, but another guy went up that road there."  He said, "Ok, I'll go up this other road."

About three minutes after that an ambulance pulled up and asked where to go.  We told them where the first and second guy went and they chose a third road to go searching.

Five minutes later a sheriff's officer pulled up and we told him where everyone had gone.  He thanked us and drove away the way the ambulance went.

I guess it was good timing that we were there to let everyone know where everyone else was going.

We took more photos and soon it was time to head back to the hotel for lunch.  As we were driving out of the park we heard the helicopter coming in.  Someone was having some major problems and I hope they got the help they needed.

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After lunch we took a walk around the hotel and took many photos of a nearby church.  I have so many favorites that I am going to have to make a separate post for them.

Next, it was on to the Biltmore Winery for a tour, wine tasting, and then dinner.  Good stuff.

Shadow on the ceiling of the
hotel room through the plantation shutters.
Reminds me of an apartment building.

After the winery tour but before dinner.
Did I mention it was a beautiful autumn day?

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2014-01-18 Saturday - Akira Satake workshop

On Saturday and Sunday I attended the Akira Satake workshop at Clayworks.  It was a fun, informative workshop with a wonderful teacher.  He gave us lots of invaluable information and kept us laughing along the way.

On Saturday night Akira played a concert for us on his banjo as he is also a very talented musician.  When Becky told her husband Fred that Akira was going to play for us, Fred said we should hold the concert at their studio, Concentrix Music and Sound.  We all settled into Studio 1 and were treated to Akira's playing.

After the concert we went to Ben Thanh for a late supper.

I also got to sit next to fellow blogger Linda Starr for two days.  It was great actually talking to her in person.

My thanks to Akira, Clayworks, and Fred and Becky Story for a great weekend.

Getting warmed up.

Putting a handle on a teapot.

Lunchtime!

Akira warming up while Fred adjusts the mic.

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September 7 - Saturday - The Potters Market Invitational at the Mint Museum

Saturday I attended the Ninth Annual Potters Market Invitational show at the Mint Museum.  The show is a treasure consisting of North Carolina potters invited from around the state.  It's always an exciting time for a pottery nut like me to hobnob with the stars.  Everyone is so friendly that it takes me a long time to get around the tent.  It's held in a huge tent on the lawn that's large enough to hold 41 potters displays and still have plenty of walking room.

There was also a demonstration tent out front where several of my friends were doing demos.  It was good to catch up with everyone.

Potters working in the demo tent.

Potters talking in the demo tent.

Donna Craven.

Jim Whalen (right) with friends Diane Davis and Bill Chris.

Akira Satake with our own Jan Anderson.

Jan with Ben Owen.

Michel Bayne.

Alex Matisse.

Smantha Henneke.
Bruce Gholson was unavailable to join us.

Greg Scott watching Adrienne Dellinger's booth.

Julie Wiggins.

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