The BIG Post.

  Its been too long since we shared thoughts from the southernmost studio and a lot has happened.  I did it, I caught the lazy blogger syndrome....sorry for the hold up.  Its not because Ive had lazy potter syndrome though.  Plenty to tell you about!

                                        
We've been on the move though (lots of bridges).  A ton of new work, partnerships, and expansive vision been happening amongst the color intensity of the summertime.  Oddly, what has traditionally been a social season for me (as a midwestern kid), has turned into a whole new thing.  Summer on the Island is crucially saturated; with sun, heat, water, and time.  Incredibly beautiful and lush with loooong days of quiet work making in the studio.  I totally love it.

Been sinking some more intentional narrative into a few pieces as well as new glaze chemistry painting and new shapes too.  Studio Magic.  Its been sooo long since my last post (sorry)  that I have a quadrillion new pots to post, some of which have already traveled off to their new homes... I'll keep it flowin with some pictures for a while.

                                      

Works...

Summer Pottery Summer Camps were a hit! Our students were not afraid to get messy while exploring their creativity. We were pleased to have met a whole gang of young potters over the past few months.  These camps make me realize that the true meaning of the studio is in the hands of the curious minds of the island.  We are in the process of making art normal again....showing everyone that art doesnt have to be so fancy that it loses its effect on your everyday life.  Art can flow out of your mind like the song you whistle when your in a good mood.  Pottery camp has been a blast.

So continuing with our summer update....

  

We were privileged to have a trip to the gulf coast of Florida for a little R&R (visiting the grandparents!),  Mixed with business of course.  We have had the pleasure of making some new friends and partners.  We are newly represented on Sanibel Island by the Watson McRae Gallery, 

 Here is a snapshot of Kelly with Maureen Watson who stopped by for a studio visit at our home turf in Key West.  We are extremely excited to be working with Maureen and her gallery,  this beautiful space on Sanibel is well furnished with astounding artworks, all of which have been expertly curated to add to the contemporary and sophisticated vibe of that lush island.  Their roster of artists is impressive and we feel quite honored to be among the rank.    Make sure to check them out when your exploring Sanibel Island.

Another Island Gallery that we have entered into a partnership with is Island Visions Gallery in the ultra cute/quaint/whimsical little blip of an island called Matlacha (Matt-la-shay), near Pine Island on the west coast of the state.  This is the classic salon style gallery that you can dig through and admire for hours at a time.  Matlacha is a hypercolor former fishing village turned artists colony....go there.  It is seriously cool.

 OUR BIGGEST NEWS OF THE SUMMER.....




We have built a new gallery onto our studio as well!  After a summer of planning big ideas we were met with an auspicious sunset on the night we started our implementation.  Classic omen style.

.....love that.

We have busted some serious..ahhem...tail.... to get this project done.  Amongst work making, camp teaching, traveling and summer vibzin in general, we were blessed to have an opportunity to DOUBLE the size of our studio while adding a new kiln room, Paint Your Own Pottery station, and gallery to the location.

Here are some flics..... a thousand words. 

Heres a few process shots!  Big thanks to all our helpers!!!!!!!!  It takes an army of people to make big things happen.  We feel so thankful to everyone who has helped us Real-Eyes this fabulous place to the extent that we have been able to thus far.   We are still building and there is more to come, trust me. 

My oldest boy the painter, he loves this role...complete with hat.

Kaya!  Thank You.

1....2....3..... BOOM!

Summertime.  What a bless thing you know? All type of changes precipitating from the great unknown.  To some changes we squeal with joy inside and respectfully state our welcome, to other things we are challenged to stoically say farewell.  To those within the range of this sound, thank you.  For those who have left the radius, we love you still and faithfully acknowledge the universe's ability to magically provide for you exactly what you need.  you know how that is.

Our baby turned one, hes on his feet.  My oldest boy and I are building an outdoor pottery shop at his school,  our new gallery is buzzing with activity all amongst the triple digit heat of the salt breeze.  The lightning strike and its thunderous voice is the order of the day on a tropical island in August.  Give thanks for that.

Whhhhhhheeewwww .... what a grind!   hehe..

Dont get me wrong though,  Plenty of this kinda stuff still happenin in the epic of the southernmost potters....

 

aaaahhhhhhhhhhh yes.

All~Ways

A

ps- summer soundtrack 1.0