"Reflecting On The Color Purple"

Books tend to creep into my imagination and fill me with beautiful imagery. Alice Walker's description of admiration has always inspired me to look for God's beauty and appreciate it, even if it resides in the color purple of a field. I love the visual image of different colored fields coming together like a patchwork quilt- Golden wheat field patches growing next to various shades of lavender fields offers such peace. Whether in acres of eye-catching bliss or small hidden revelations, I will always seek for and admire His divine creations.

Recent Pots

"Flowing Through Simplicity"
"Dragonfly and Chive"
"Glazed Vineyard"

"Joyful Koi"

"Natural Life"

Every morning and evening hundreds of geese fly near our home by the reservoir. I typically live on a quiet road, but for those few moments of flight, nature's voice makes me stop and listen . This piece is for a family of five (the five geese represent each person). These individuals are the kind of people who stop and listen to what nature has to say.

Beautiful Weeds

"Simple Beauty"
"Beautiful Weed In Plum"


I am known for my sunflowers. They are happy and bright and remind me of one of my most favorite persons, my grandmother. I will never forget the epic argument that took place on a hillside in Bear Lake, Utah. While gardening, my grandmother began to protest that her wild sunflowers that had crept into her garden were being pulled out of the grounds by her busy-bodied husband. His retort was that, "they are weeds that would take over the yard". Her comment was simple but has forever changed the name of these plants for me. She said, "they are beautiful weeds". After that, these beautiful weeds did take over the yard as if she had given them permission to live happily and flourish.

Silhouette In the Sun

I think I will always have images of Africa in my head. I think that is what happens when you step into a dream and fulfill a life desire. No longer is Africa a place I have listed as an aspiration, but it is part of my life.

Commission: "Gifting Yourself"

This piece is for a woman who spends an awful lot of time giving to others. I loved it when she said, "I need to give myself something." We need to remember to do that periodically.

Commission: "Tuscan Vineyard"

This piece was a commission and gift. Inspired by a Tuscan kitchen. I love the variation of each grape's shade as the light hits them individually- it makes me want to walk through a vineyard at dusk.

Affordable Art: Little Things Count

"Stepping Into Africa" $20












"Summer Hum" $20














"Brightness and Branches" $40











"Beautiful Weed" $30











"Cycle" $20











"Peacock In the Gardens" $30












"Flight" $30











I love spending hours upon hours telling stories on my large and detailed pieces of art, but I recognize that not every person can afford my most extravagant work. I sincerely believe that I price my art within reason, but I also put extensive hours into my art and need to be compensated accordingly. Some of my larger works of art have taken me over 60 hours to create. These lil' pots are playful and have become relatively quick for me to produce. While each of these little clay creations are still hand-built and uniquely designed, they are affordable to all. They may be small, but they still convey my stories.

My Friend

My clay sessions give me a lot of time alone. I don't typically surround myself with a lot of people, but I even have moments where I need to connect back into life. I recently acquired a creative companion. He loves to sit on my lap and watch me carve away at my clay. At some point he will be too big for my lap, but I will always enjoy his quiet friendship.

Happy Where I Am

I am quite often told that I am living in the wrong place for creativity: "Live in New York" or "You would thrive in California". Cutting and pasting myself into different cities and scenarios can be playfully fun, but my reality knows where my roots are. My reality knows what a crowded city would do to my heart, my reality knows that living near loved ones who understand my joy and sorrow lifts me up, my reality knows that I need trees and mountains and lots of space. The title of this piece, "Happy Where I Am" came from a Cat Stevens song that reminds me of many beautiful places, especially my home.

"Walking Into Neverland"

Now look just a little bit closer...


















While I love to paint canvas, there is something to be said about clay's ability to retain texture and well defined visual boundaries. On canvas, I can spill colors together not allowing the eye to completely find a visual definition. With clay, I can offer this same blended illusion, but I can also carve deep into my imagery, creating a distinctive line. The only comparison that I can offer is when an individual is driving across the country. At some points of the journey there will only be an invisible boundary that indicates that you have ventured into a new state. Other borders between states have physical markers (a river, a canyon, a mountain...). These tangible markers tell us that we have arrived into a new part of the country.

My deep carving offers beauty to the eye, but also the hand. One of the best compliments that I ever received was from an adorable married couple. The husband had been carefully leading his blind wife by the hand as they wandered through various art booths. They walked by photography and some painted canvases, then finally made their way to my booth. He leaned into her ear and began whispering descriptions of my work. With a perplexed look on her face, she reached forward, touched one of my carved pots, and began to smile. My texture and carving had allowed her the chance to feel my art's story. With her hands still on the pot, she leaned into her husband and said, "I can see it"...

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE POTTERY SHOP

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT MY ONLINE SHOP ON ETSY:
www.etsy.com/shop/potluckpots

Markets Where I Will Be Showing & Selling My Art

You can find me at Salt Lake City's Saturday Farmer's Market:

July 9th
July16th
August 20th
September 10th
September 17th
From 8 AM to 1 PM at Salt Lake City's Pioneer Park (300 South & 400 West)
www.slcfarmersmarket.org
You can find me at the Park Silly Sunday Market:
July 17th
August 21st
September 11th
From 10 AM to 5 PM on Park City's Historic Main Street
www.parksillysundaymarket.com

Participating in Art Demonstrations: July 9th from 2 pm-4 pm @ the Bountiful Davis Art Center

Bountiful Handcart Days Arts and Crafts exhibit will soon be here!

“Meet the Artists”. We envision this as an informal event in which the public may visit with the artists, ask questions, and gain increased appreciation for what artists do.

Following is a schedule of the Meet the Artists Events.

All events will be 2:00 - 4:00 at the Bountiful/Davis Art Center

July 2: Beth Ashdown (stone and metal creations),

Dallas Bradbury (pottery wheel demo),

Tatting demo,

Louise Shaw (Photographer)

July 9: Open House :

**Live music by Last Chance band**Treats**Children’s Activities **

Artists:

Paul Mann (illustrator)

Rachel Collins (photographer)

Bonneville Tatters (demo)

Louise Shaw (Photographer)

Janelle Call Davis (hand pottery demo)

Sherm Johansen (Wood Carving demo)

July 16:

Annie Leishman (youth photographer)

Wayne Brown (wood carving demo)

Barbara Dowdle (Painting demo)

Bonneville Tatters (demo)

July 23:

Roger Loveless (Painter/Illustrator)

Mary Ann Loveless (Polymer clay jewelry maker)

Scott Bradbury (Pottery wheel demo)

Bonneville Tatters (demo)

Dee Nielson and Gus Odekirk (Wood carving demo)

"Operation Beautiful Life"

Her confident hands gave me a scrap of paper a few months ago. On this scrap of paper contained many one word descriptions like: love, reunited, eternity, peace…Her request was, “I need you to paint my story”. Several years ago, she married the love of her life. Soon after their life began together two significant events occurred: they became pregnant, and he tragically passed away. I still to this day cannot fathom the ache that must reside inside her. While tragedy brought her sorrow, time brought her an angelic infant and a perspective on continued life. Her child is older now and looking more and more like his daddy. Her heart is mending and she able each new day to laugh, independently face challenges, reflect on the past with love, and embrace all of life. This painting by no measure can capture or map out the beauty of this woman’s life. I am amazed by every part of her strong soul.

Hot and Fresh from the Kiln: "EA"

"EA"
This is a view from our bedroom window. Our little eagle friend came to live with us for a couple of weeks this winter.


"EA"
Whether you believe me or not, it's Christmas morning in my heart right now. You may agree with me after watching the giant snowflakes fall from the sky today. Isn't it the middle of May? What I am about to describe is probably a common phenomenon for potters. I savor the few minutes I have as I walk to my kiln shed. In these moments, there is an anticipation for the final results and curiosity for what my creativity mixed with intense heat will formulate. I crack open my kiln lid, letting the hot air escape while I attempt to peek at the contents inside. Glaze firing is a mysterious process: You paint with liquid glass that is one particular color and then you heat it up and it changes to another hue. I am always delighted and surprised at the gifts that my kiln has to offer. I am reminded of my memories of Christmas as a child; knowing there is something wonderful waiting for me, but not knowing what. If ever given the chance, try being present at the moment a potter takes their work from a warm kiln. You may see a glimpse of their childhood Christmas in their eyes.

This pottery piece is still warm from the kiln and is entitled: "EA". Don't you hate it when artists make obscure names for their works of art? This commissioned piece is for a woman that very much intrigues me. She is a lover of words and nature. She has illuminated the minds of hundreds of children, as she is a devoted educator. She is a humorous woman who's laugh is quite contagious. She is supportive and compassionate. She is giving. She is a true liver of life. She is continuously seeking for peace in the world. She is my friend. She is the only person who will truly understand the title of this art piece...

Relics of a Hero

I just finished this commissioned piece today. "Relics of a Hero" is to be an anniversary gift for a firefighter. Today as I painted this piece, I was humbled to hear radio reports of our president walking the grounds where the World Trade Center Fell on September 11th. While "Relics of a Hero" will be a celebration gift for a committed couple, this painted vessel will draw my mind to another anniversary. I appreciate the presidential request that we celebrate or morn with "unity and renewal". Upon any event in our lives, whether they be blissful or tragic, let us embrace and grow from our experiences.

Painting Up a Storm During a Storm

"Bright Gerber"
"Orchids On Their Way"
"Sakura Blossoms"

I seem to remember spring being full of life and flowers. This past week there has just been rain and snow and dark skies. I am glad that when I need color in my life, I don't always have to wait on nature's fickle schedule, I can simply open up my paints...

Another Version of Ophelia

"Ophelia's Final Peace" 2011























For a description and the meaning of this piece, please see the November 2010 blog archive: Ophelia Revisited.

Intermountain Catholic News Article: Sharing My Skills With My Students

• Friday, Mar. 18, 2011 Edition
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Saint Olaf students ready artwork for school's annual auction

Friday, Mar. 18, 2011

Courtesy of Saint Olaf Catholic School

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BOUNTIFUL — As Saint Olaf Catholic School’s Annual Auction approaches, each grade is working to produce a class project which will be used as an auction item. Students enthusiastically participate to produce a unique and creative item that will achieve a high bid from the auction goers. This year, our Pre-K students are actively involved in the creation of a real work of art guided by their very talented teacher, Janelle Davis, who is an accomplished artist in the field of hand-built coil pottery. Mrs. Davis hand-fashioned a large pottery cylinder using coils of pottery clay and pinching techniques at which she is a master. Once the cylinder was completed, the students began to carefully carve their own designs into the clay. Mrs. Davis patiently instructed each child individually so that every part of the design is a creation of each little hand in the class. Once the carving and cleaning is complete, the cylinder will be fired to harden it. Each design will then be painted and decorated by the creator of that particular design. After the artistic work is completed, the cylinder will be fired once again and will result in a one-of-a kind piece of art that is sure to bring lots of large bids at the auction. Not only have our youngest students provided a remarkable project for our auction, they have learned the joy and satisfaction of learning to create something artistic and unique. Saint Olaf is very fortunate to have such a talented artist as a member of our staff who not only teaches and molds our youngest students each and every day at the beginning of their educational lives, but allows them to learn an artistic skill and to experience the gratification of creating a beautiful work of art.

Courtesy of Saint Olaf Catholic School

http://www.icatholic.org/article/saint-olaf-students-ready-artwork-for-schools-annual-108965

Commissions: Impressions of Others

I am always honored when individuals love my art. I am especially honored when individuals want to share my art with their loved ones. I am always inspired when individuals tell me their love story and commission me to describe this love on clay... A dying husband wanting to impart a gift to the love of his life, his wife. A joyful friend celebrating a marriage. A daughter giving beauty back to a mother that has devoted her life to children and now grandchildren. A family holding on to childhood memories. A woman gifting her own life and battle with cancer. A couple wanting to capture the embrace of a tango. A collaboration of friends wanting to thank a neighbor for their kindness. Over the years there have been so many faces and so many stories. Each one bringing me a new perspective and creative challenge. During Lent, we are reminded that we are from the dust of the earth and from the dust we shall return. I like thinking that we make impressions before we leave this life. Impressions on the people we love, impressions on the love we convey, and sometimes even impressions on the clay of this earth.

Here are a few commission pieces that I have recently completed. Each clay vessel tells the story of a person's life and represents their love:


"Sakura Blossoms on the Tracks"

To a dad that surrounds his life with love, trains, and nature. Beauty is around you and can be seen in the distance.



"Shine"

To a brilliant family of five. Always stay connected and always shine. Happy Birthday Becky.




"Union with Daisies"

To a happy couple married at Union Station 2010. Though your wedding flowers have faded, vividly remember your bright love on that day.



"Red Rocks and Our Starry Night"
To a joyful couple that captures beauty as long as they are together. Happy Birthday Christa- March 31st 2011.



"Lemon's Grove"

May this piece remind you of those happy memories in the woods. Merry Christmas 2010.



"Tending to her Blossoms"

To a mother and grandmother that loves hummingbirds and her posterity. Each blossom is marked to remind you of those wonderful grandchildren that blossom in your care. You are loved by many.