Graduation Gift for Sam..."Reflecting On Beauty"

“Reflecting On Beauty”

When my son was just five months old, he taught me a very valuable lesson about looking in the mirror.  Unlike most of us, my little son would laugh and smile with delight when he would see his reflection.  He didn’t see the imperfect features, just the joy within himself.  Since this time, I try really hard to appreciate myself when I glance in the mirror…I try to see the beauty rather than the flaws and sometimes I will even laugh with delight.  Another incredible individual that I have come to learn about recently has a similar philosophy.  Her name is Sam. She is hard-working, successful, friendly, talented, and gorgeous inside and out.  Sam is finishing up her degree in education and is also a gifted hairdresser.  This amazing woman spends her time holding up mirrors in front of people and helps them to really see themselves.  In her words, Sam says that she enjoys “enhancing the natural beauty” of the individuals she works with.  When Sam’s mother contacted me about creating some art for her daughter’s graduation gift, I had no idea that I would be so inspired by her abilities and perspective.  In a lot of ways Sam and I are similar, we try to soak in the stories that people share with us and create beauty around them.  Sam is the kind of person that can illuminate the beauty of someone’s appearance and lift the spirits within.   

 

Check out Sam's creativity at:

 http://www.streamlinehairdesign.com/

http://streamlinehairdesign.blogspot.com/

 

2014 Giving Earth Project

Giving Earth Project

My ideal existence would be a life lived on a giving earth, where more hearts and hands joined in on the greatest thing in the world…Love…The Giving Earth Project was created to reinforce more giving and loving by rewarding selfless acts of charity and kindness.

I have the desire to give something wonderful to others who are voluntarily reaching out and making this earth better.  As an artist, I recognize that I am able to create works of beauty, but more importantly I know that my art is able to inspire others.  Ironically, what drives me to create my art are the inspiring stories of other great lives.  I am always seeking out new beautiful stories and individuals to inspire me.

 My hope is to give a bit of creative clay earth that reflects a story of goodness back to those that are already giving goodness to the earth in some sort of charitable and loving way.

How Does the Giving Earth Project Work?

·         I will be making and giving away free pottery to reward individuals who are making an impact in life.  This pottery will be made specifically for that inspiring person and will represent their inspiring lives.

·         You can nominate individuals that you know who are selflessly making the world a little or a lot better.  Write a description about this person.  Include information about:  the person’s name, what they are doing to serve, Why you chose to nominate this person, the kind of good characteristics this person has, life histories, trials or achievements, how you know this person, what interests or hobbies this person may have, anything that would help me to know this person’s inspiring story… (The more detail the more inspirations I will have to create art tailored to these great lives.  You may include photographs in your submissions).  Written nominations can be as short as a paragraph or two pages long.  Be sure to include your name and contact information so that I may reach you.

·         Nominations will be read, reviewed, and then selected for a random drawing.

·         If your nomination is chosen from the drawing, you will be notified and I will begin creating a work of  clay art specifically for that inspiring person.

·         Once the pottery is completed you will be able to award your inspiring person with this token of gratitude for their efforts to make the world a better place.

Details:

1.         Submit your Giving Earth Project nomination by April 20, 2014.

2.        Send submissions via email to: www.givingearthproject@gmail.com

3.        You may have more than one submission.

4.        “Like” the Giving Earth Page on Facebook and get the word out about the Giving Earth Project via forwarding emails, Twitter, Pinterest, talking to friends…I would love it if the Giving Earth Project could actually reach many amazing hearts, but I need your help spreading the message.  For this project to happen, I need at least 30 entries.

5.        On nominations, please include: your name, phone number, email so that I may contact you if your entry wins.

6.        On nominations please also include the name of the giving person you are nominating and a written description about them.  Don’t forget to be very descriptive.

Check out more of my art and ideas throughout the pottery archive on the side of this blog page.

KLAY FOR KENYA: With Saint Olaf School

Klay for Kenya

I stood completely humbled in the second grade class of Saint Olaf School today.  I didn’t walk into a classroom; I walked into a beautiful gallery full of budding artists, potters, and storytellers.  Over the past few months, these amazing second graders and their beyond inspiring teacher, Mrs. Jacobs, worked with me in creating clay bowls.  We made a mess, experimented with textures and color, laughed, and shared stories about art.  What I discovered in this messy adventure is that these kids have got true hearts and genuine creativity.  The kids made clay bowls to be sold in their class art show.  All money collected from art sales is going to “Koins for Kenya”, which is an organization that builds schools in Africa.  Thank you Saint Olaf School for putting your heart out into the world!  

To learn more about or donate to Koins for Kenya, please visit:  www.koinsforkenya.org

To check out St. Olaf School, please visit:

www.stolafs.org 

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Katelin and Steven's Wedding Pottery: "Youthful Bliss"

“Youthful Bliss”

This wedding pot is inspired by Katelin and Steven Moore.  The most perfect moment transpired just after these two were married.  As they were greeting family, I stood aside and watched their loving interactions.  At this moment I happened to notice two dragonflies swirling around each other in a playful courtship.  I had to laugh at how perfect this was for cute bug-loving Katelin!  As the day went on I watched the happy couple playfully engage with one another just like the dragonflies.  I asked the couple to briefly describe to me how they felt about each other…  Katelin told me that Steven is her light.  So dear Katelin and Steven, please enjoy this depiction of your playful love surrounded in warm light.  Always remember how to share joy with each other. 

Wedding Pottery for Ali and Bryan : "Simple Love"

“Simple Love”

This pottery is inspired by two incredible individuals who have made the commitment to love each other.  Ali and Bryan both know how to make strong connections…They connect and extend themselves to: the importance of knowledge, diverse people and ideas, creativity,  open minds and hearts, preserving and appreciating the earth and all creatures living within it, and most significantly each other.  With how great these two are, you would think that their wedding and reception would have been full of fanfare and adorned with the greatest embellishments, but it wasn’t…It was elegantly simple, reminding me of a synthesis of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and garden of bright and colorful succulents.  Ali and Bryan’s wedding left me with the warm sense that they understand how to keep their love beautiful, fun, open-minded, meaningful, and simple. 

Tower Engagement Pot

                              

 I am not a "Romantic"...I typically don't fall for tales of the heart, but this love story is so amazing that it completely inspired me.  This pot is titled, "Tower Engagement". The happy couple didn't rush into matrimony, but spent years developing their own individual greatness all while keeping their friendship strong.    They were engaged at the very top of the beautiful and unique City and County Building in Salt Lake City at sunset on August 22, 2012.  What an amazing scene for two incredible people.  Well done Joey & Angie! Enjoy filling your life with laughter and love! I hope this pot reminds you of the radiance that was shining down on you on that wonderful day when your hearts became one.

Pottery Auctioned at Justin's Wheelchair Fundraiser

This pot will be at the silent auction for Justin's wheelchair fundraiser!
Come eat, bid, and contribute to a good cause.
Monday, Oct. 14th, 2013 from 6-8 pm
@ Pizza Pie Cafe 370 West 500 South in Bountiful

STILL WORKING CLAY

Over the years lots has changed: my  art skills, my appreciation for paint and glaze, my hair color, my lifestyle, my education, my age, my perspective... I am even now a busy mother and a wife, which leaves me less time to create.  One thing that hasn't changed over the years is my passion for pottery.  Despite the fact that I don't spend as much time creating as I used to; something inside of me still comes alive when my hands touch clay.

 Making pottery at home 2013

 Making pottery at an art festival 2002