I cannot tell you how much I admire the work of these wonderful people. I was born completely lacking a single artistic gene. My most dreaded childhood memories were those days when the teacher said (to everyone else's delight), "Now class. You may take out your paper and crayons and draw anything you wish." I hated that. I never knew what to draw and worse yet, I knew that whatever I DID draw wouldn't look right. And I wanted so badly to be artistic. So even though (or perhaps because) I lack the talent, I am blessed with an overabundance of art appreciation.
We purchase a lot of NC pottery. Each new purchase is my instant favorite. Our most recent purchase is an unusual vase. I don't know the process, but during the potting and firing, pictures are drawn onto the clay and some parts are cut out, creating a beautiful effect. The areas that appear black in the photograph are actually areas that are cut out. The bottom of the vase has a wonderful finish and the entire piece begs to be touched.
On this side the children play "Ring-around-the-Rosy."
A fiddler and a banjo player are on the other side.
Between them a dog romps through the woods.
I have given some thought to taking pottery classes. I have strong hands and I always did love to play in the mud. I'm told that softening the clay is as therapeutic as kneading bread dough. Who knows? I know I could never learn to paint or sketch, and I don't have the words to write anything meaningful. But I just might be able to shape a bit of clay into something useful. After all, I learned how to knit, didn't I?
28 comments:
That IS a lovely and unusual vase -- I can see why you bought it! I always wished I could sing! I can't even carry a tune. I'm not an artist either but that deficiency didn't bother me as much.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! You go, girl! Who cares what it looks like...if you have fun doing it. You're not responsiblity for resonance with others! You're only responsible to enjoy doing it! Everyone else can take care of themselves...or not!
Go for it!
Love you!
Elora
Lovely! Well that not only took artistic vision, but lots of practice.
And you would improve whatever you try with lots of practice. I "can't draw" either, but last year, I drew a sketch of the same thing over and over for a week and then I was getting it. I made a thread painting of it with my sewing machine. So now I know that maybe I'm not a natural, but I can improve when I practice, A LOT.
You won't know unless you try so I say go for it!
That vase is stunning!
That is such a unique vase. I am sure you can do anything that you put your mind to. Go for it!
What a beautiful piece of art. I can see it crying out for a votive candle inside to accent the cut out areas.
Great vase--are the cut-outs real holes? If so, the vase is for display, not holding anything, right?
Hmmm--potting is something I have never done. I got a bit of an artistic gene--I can sketch relatively well. But, I lack personal discipline--it's too slow. I want to be ... doing. No, make that-done.
What a lovely vase!
I love NC pottery, too! Some years back we stopped in the Art Guild on Tunnel Rd and picked up some lovely pieces made by an artist in Weaverville. We've gone directly to the shop in Weaverville since and added a few additional pieces of this particular pottery.
If you like looking at photographs, there is an artist in Fairview that takes photo's for Nat Geo (they are also musicians)
Al Pettaway and Amy White. Absolutely stunning photography of the mountains..
Thanks for sharing your find! And go take a pottery class!
That does look like it would be one of a kind! Stunning actually! By all means try out a pottery class - if even only for personal satisfaction and enjoyment.
a beautiful and unusual vase, indeed. Reminds me of some carved gourds I have. I've never seen this technique used in pottery before - and I am a lover of the medium as well.
You SHOULD take that class -- I never got the hang of it (and I majored in fine arts) and now I'm thinking I should try again......we have a fine program at our local junior college. Hey, you've got me thinking about it too!
Jo - We do have lights, but not votives. We use those "stick-up" battery powered lights you get from Lowe's. No wax and no flame to contend with.
Donna - Yes, the black areas are totally cut out and real holes. It is for display although I'm sure someone more creative could find something to put inside.
Toni - I am familiar with Al and Amy but only as wonderful musicians. Thanks for the tip...I'll check out their photographs.
I am not a artist either!! Can't sing and can't draw but I use to be able to sew. Now age has crept up on me and I don't do hardly any of that any more!!
Beautiful vase!! I really love it!!
xxoo, Bambi & Fern
This is a beautiful vase -- I can see why it became an instant favorite.
I think you should take a pottery class -- I think you would be good at it.
This vase is gorgeous. I love it.
I can't draw to save my life, but love doing watercolor...it is forgiving.
I think you should try pottery, it does seem like it would be therapeutic.
ps. I still like playing in the mud too. :)
I could have written this post--I also lack any kind of artistic talent and have wished I could at least draw something but I can't--I can't even knit, so you've got one up on me! :-)
But I admire those that have the talent to make such beautiful things like this vase, its detail is just stunning! You should take that pottery class, you never know, you might just have the knack!
Really beautiful! And I'll join everyone else in urging you to take a pottery class -- what do you have to lose?
That's a gorgeous vase! So intricate with so many stories to tell.
I always felt the same way about art... the crayon story could have been about me.
Why not try pottery? You never know how much you might love it until you try it!
Love the vase. I think you should go for it.
Gorgeous vase, Carolyn... That is definitely unusual... Wish you could find out the 'real' story behind it....
I think you should take classes. You'd love it and be good at it also...
Hugs,
Betsy
Beautiful workmanship. Like the children/dog/southern music theme. I've heard good things about the artists in your state. Lucky you that you have them near -- barbara
That is the most beautiful vase I've ever seen,I love pottery.
Do you have any face jars? Those were my favorite until I saw your vase.
Hope you have a blessed tomorrow
The detail is amazing. Think you'd enjoy creating.
How someone could even conceive of a creation like that and then MAKE it is such a gift! It's so very intricate and beautiful Carolyn. I can see why you were mesmerized by it.
Beautiful piece of pottery! By all means..take that pottery class.
I love that vase! What an eye you have!
Beautiful vase with folklore on it...if you know how to knit you certainly can learn pottery!
I would buy something like that too. Very interesting and beautiful.
What an amazing vase! I think it would be fun to take pottery classes too.... I'm sure anything I would make would come out lopsided - but it would still be FUN!
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