Some of you may be aware that recently I have experienced the loss that death brings. Nothing stings like the passing of a parent. It is a reminder of your own immortality.
Now I have not had the best of relationships with my family since childhood. Every family has secrets and since my teenage years, I decided I would not repeat insidious familial patterns. That is something I take comfort in.
The challenge that I have is that I was hoping for a healing of those relationships before it was too late. Now it is too late. So what is a lone potter to do with the knowing that in spite of his best efforts there will be no happy ending?
Create their own.
So I have taken some time for me. I am truly sorry for my lack of activity here, but my grief took me by surprise.
What have I done with that time? I have focused on my own family, and on my dreams. This is where this blog post gets a little lighter.
I have spent the month and a bit working on fixing up an old garage and converting it into a pottery studio. I have also been working on my gardens and creating beauty anywhere around me I can.
Here are some before, after and in progress pictures of the exterior of the studio:
Dealing with grief is an inside job, so next up will be working on the inside of the studio. Here is my work bench, which is starting to take shape:
During this time, I was not throwing pots for a few weeks. I am not sure if I was punishing myself, or if I just did not have the stamina being in the middle of a renovation project and also in my head with many emotions to work through.
But a couple days on the wheel was a restorative cure, and I managed to make these pots, which are now bisque fired:
You can expect to see more posts from me going forward. My inward gaze is turning outward again, and for that I am grateful. Thank you all for your patience and for your kind words.
My best work is yet to come! Bear with me as I catch up with my online tasks. There are some exciting new projects and works in store for you. I am getting ready to explore another pottery technique – pit firing!