I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend! I have been hard at work in the studio and I will have some exciting new pieces to share with you soon.
In the meantime, I wanted to unveil a new vase with you inspired by a legend from the Northwest of the United States that tells the tale of a love triangle of the gods and a fiery tale of sibling rivalry that required some pretty extreme parental intervention.
I am also going to reveal the name that was selected for our July edition of ‘Name that Vase’. I want to thank everyone who submitted their ideas and beautiful writing and prose. You can check out some of the spectacular writing at the link above.
The aboriginal people in the north west of the United States told early explorers a tale about a mountain called Louwala-Clough, which is also the name of our latest raku pottery vase. You may know this mountain as Mount St. Helens.
According to legend, this mountain used to be a beautiful woman who was named Loowit. There were two braves, who happened to be brothers that were vying for her love. These were not just any two braves, for they were the sons of the Great Spirit, Sahale.
Unfortunately, Loowit spoiled by choice, could not decide which of these brothers to choose. This only intensified the rivalry between the two brothers Wyeast and Klickitat. They fought intensely, leaving a fiery trail of destruction around them, throwing rocks and liquid fire at one another, burning villages and forest alike.
Their father, the Great Spirit, Sahale grew weary of the destruction caused by his battling sons and the indecisive beauty Loowit. In a move that would be frowned upon by any of today’s authorities on parenting, but probably very much appreciated by the locals of the time, he decided to smite all three of them.
In their place he erected three mountain peaks, Loowit was turned to a beautiful snow covered peak (Mount St. Helens), Wyeast (Mount Hood) with his head raised in pride, and Klickitat (Mount Adams) with his gaze fixed on Loowit for all of eternity – or until erosion ultimately gets the better of the three.
Now due to her indecisiveness Loowit gets to spend what will seem like an eternity with two rock solid men and is spared the anguish of choice.
You can see more images of the raku vase ‘Louwala-Clough’ here.
Now for our exciting announcement of the name selected for our July edition of ‘Name that Vase’ that caused me to strongly relate to the indecisiveness of Loowit! There were so many great entries this time around, and it was so hard to choose. I strongly encourage you to check them all out here.
There was one particular entry that struck a cord deeply with me, and captured my experience over the last few months.
That suggestion came to us from artist, Mandy Lewis-Houston, who suggested the name ‘Phoenix Reborn’, you can see more images of the vase at the link. Thank you so much for your incredibly insightful suggestion. It touched my heart.
You can check out Mandy’s beautiful works of art and learn more about her by visiting her website.
Did you know, you can read more raku vase stories by clicking on any of the vases in our gallery here?
What do you think about our latest vase – Louwala-Clough? And the name selected for July’s ‘Name that Vase’?
Stunning!!!
Thank you for your kind comment!
Such a pretty work! amazing!
Thank you Sara!so glad you like it!
Standing ovation! I’m fascinated by your vases created and cast in legends I was not familiar with, sadly. They are exquisitely beautiful!
Thank you! I love mythology and history and bringing new life to things – from pottery and beyond.
Well done!!
Beautiful vases!
Thanks Doree! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Same to you!
Quite an interesting story, and also the Name for the the vase “Phoenix Reborn” sounds so apt.
Your creative work is quite fascinating.
Thank you Milesh! I really appreciate your kind comment and hope you have a beautiful weekend!
Nice artwork and nice story. I’d never heard that one and I’m a fan of mythology. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad to hear you made a choice before you got turned into a vase or a blog post or something. 😁
haha! One day I will be turned into vase, or rather put into one! Fortunately those I love will have a few to choose from 😉 I love mythology too, such interesting stories and they seem to be the groundwork of our modern stories. It fascinates me.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Beautiful work. A fascinating legend, but often such stories are.
Thank you! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
The new vase is stunning and your narrative is outstanding. I love the name “Phoenix Reborn” for the other vase!
Thank you Eugenia! I really appreciate your kind words and that is high praise from a writer of your caliber. I hope you are having a great weekend with lots of creativity.
You’re most welcome and thank you! 😉
The finish on these is amazing- the way the reflect light almost makes them look translucent- esp in the top pic. Reminds me of the Favrile(?) glass we saw at the Tiffany exhibit.
Thank you so much for your kind comment. That is one of the things that I love about raku. The finishes can vary so much and the pieces that look like glass amaze me how they transform the clay and the elements of the earth that make up the glazes.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I remember when Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980 but gave not heard that legend before. It’s very interesting and I love your vases.
Thank you so much for your kind comment. My memories have vague whisperings of that eruption too. I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead!
Love the blue and cool story about the rival b/w brothers. I also check out the “Phoenix Reborn” piece, it’s beautiful! <3
Thank you for your kind words and comments! I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead!
What a fantastic choice. Kids hey? What you gonna do? 😂
Thank you so much for the shout out, it was very unexpected and humbly received.
Never going to see those mountains the same way again.
haha! Kids are good for keeping you on your toes and a touch of grey.
Thank you for taking the time to think of such a thoughtful name that lifted my spirits … the shout out was the least I could do Mandy!
Very nicely done!
Thank you so much for your kind comment Phil. I hope you have a fun and creative weekend.
My pleasure, thanks!
Louwala-Clough is a beautiful vase, and I love the name Phoenix Reborn!
Thank you! I really love the name ‘Phoenix Reborn’ too! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Your work is just as beautiful as the stories behind it. This is really cool stuff.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I so enjoyed the way you leave together your pottery and stories. I grew up close to Mount Adams (Pahto or Klickitat) and heard several versions of the story depending on the area.
I love the name Phoenix reborn for one of your bases and I’ll go check that link to see more pictures of it
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment! I love blending myths of old with pottery, it just seems like a natural thing to do 😉
That is a very special vase to me – Phoenix Reborn, and the name came from one of my ‘Name that Vase’ posts. I hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
You’re versatile and brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much for your very kind comment! I hope you are having a great week so far!
Nice
Thank you!