Old Pottery, Biltmore Mansion, and 2 little girls

I hope that my Sepia Saturday friends will be posting HERE, and you'll take a peek at what they have to say about this week's topic...

 this week shows Nadine and Sylvia Szechenyi with their dogs in front of the Vanderbilt Mansion in New York. The two girls were the grand-daughters of Cornelius Vanderbilt, whose daughter, Gladys, had married the Hungarian Count Lazlo Szechenyi. The photograph - which can be found on the Estonia State Archive stream on Flickr -  was taken in 1931 and suggests themes such as girls, twos, dogs, steps and the mysterious number 18.

1953 St. Louis, my sister and myself, Principia Administration building and Studebaker car

My photos link in three ways...my sister and myself in our beautiful hand tailored dresses by seamstress Grandmother...and the Vanderbilt connection of the Biltmore House here in Asheville.




And I'll add some old photos of some pottery of mine, just because I have not been posting as much about my pottery lately as I should.  After all, what is my blog titled anyway!?

My first blog, Alchemy of Clay, First Edition, shared a bit of ancient pottery  (Jomon Pottery from Japan)



 This pottery inspired me to do this...


And this...


Today's Quote:

Enveloped in Your Light, may I be a beacon to those in search of Light. Sheltered in Your Peace, may I offer shelter to those in need of peace. Embraced by Your Presence, so may I be present to others.

Rabbi Rami Shapiro

Joining an Art League

The other day I joined my first Art League.  It's fondly known as The Red House.


I've sure been taking part in various art shows since moving here to North Carolina 8 years ago.
And yet I have hesitated becoming a member of the Swannanoa Valley Art League, thinking they are all fine artists, and I do a lot of crafty things as well as my artsy sculptures.  Would I fit?

Spirit House with Bird

See, it's really called The Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League (site located here) ...but I've got the degree in Fine Art, (BFA University of Florida) so maybe it's time to start calling myself a Clay Artist, like it says on my business card.

Detail of The Forest Project, shown at Black Mountain Center for the Arts 12/14-2/15

It's a challenge for me to consider, as I move into the winter months.   This is the 6 month period during which I usually create more sculptures and less functional wares for the table.  Of course for my favorite customers, I'll be called upon at any time to make something they wish, but usually I turn off the part of my creativity that makes things to eat, drink or serve from.  And I definitely turn off the Mud Buddies selling every Saturday morning in the park part of my being for the winter. 

Tea Set, shown at Black Mountain Center for the Arts now showing until 10/15 "What's the Buzz?" exhibit

Except for the Saturday before Thanksgiving, when we have a huge holiday sale...same site, rain or shine.  We start an hour later in the day, so it's nice and warm for the vendors and their customers.


There's also the added incentive of another outdoor sale which SVFAL will be having in October, on 2 days, and I'm excited about being there for that.  I hope some of my usual friends will visit there (and I'll be letting you know more about it here!)

Today's Quote:

Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

 

A friend in need

I've been invited many places, when I had little to contribute.  One was to sing with the choirs that Annelinde Metzner leads...yes, I've been in two of them, which are still active under her direction.

I also have enjoyed her music about the Divine Feminine, as well as her prolific sweet poetry.

Now she is dealing with medical needs, and I was the first person to step up and make a contribution to help her.  My donation might not be the biggest one she's received, but it is certainly full of heart-felt love.

For more information about the Fund raising efforts for Linda's medical needs just click the underlined link.  This is also a great short biography of her work.



Linda is in the center of this photo, with Rebecca Williams on left, and Kim Hughes on right.

For a slice of her wonderful poety, check this link to her blog.

I love the idea that charity begins at home...why send a check to help  people on the other side of the globe when we can reach out and help each other right here at home?

In the pea family

A ginkgo tree near the back entrance to the Center for the Arts

Delightful purple flowers...what are they, friends?

A gangly pink flowered vine has pea-like pods...so I know it's in the pea family.

Quote for today:

One of life's most fulfilling moments occurs in the split-second when the familiar is suddenly transformed into the dazzling aura of the profoundly new.

Edward B. Lindaman