Philosophical Photography, Percontation, Prose, Poetry, Parables, Pottery & Politics… Phew!
I was going to call this “for the want of a nail…” but instead went for:
It was more than a misdemeanor
That could not have been more obscener*
Until a security screener
Found a laptop that should have been cleaner
That was used by the pundits to demean her
But in this political arena
There really is no redeemer
For the texter of the wiener
I mentioned previously that I was going back to the wheel after having spent many weeks hand building in clay. Well, after a few false starts and watching several videos on youTube I spent about an hour at the art center yesterday and managed to create a couple of bowls that I’m quite happy with. Clearly I have a long way to go, but it’s a great experience, even when it goes wrong, and the great thing about clay is that it’s totally reusable up until it’s fired. And, as I found out in my reading, even after the initial bisque firing it can still be ground up, sieved and then used as ‘grog’ in other pottery.
My most important tips so far for using the wheel are that it is essential to wedge the clay well to get the clay particles aligned and secondly, always be gentle when removing hands from the spinning pot. All simple stuff to the experienced potter, but often they forget to tell the obvious things to us learners.
It’s a funny old world, isn’t it? My wife pointed out this house near to us a few days ago when she was walking the dogs so I decided to bring my camera when it was my turn for the canine exercise this afternoon. I don’t know whether this householder is being ironic with the careful placement of the Trump yard sign in among the tombstones, but that’s how I view it.
I think the window and door decals with the spooky eyes looking through the blinds speaks volumes too.
Good Luck America!
Shortly after his 23rd Birthday, Donald Trump embarked on the Apollo 11 Mission and was with Buzz Aldrin when he walked on the moon. He even took a photograph as can be seen the reflection in Aldrin’s visor, if you look closely…
Except it was in a back lot in LA, not the moon, obviously, I mean why would we go to the moon, there’s nothing there… no, wait a minute, I never said that, it was actually Vegas and I wasn’t there … etc., etc., ad nauseum…
Way back in April (although it seems a lot longer ago than that!) I mentioned that I was taking a pottery class in hand building at Chester County Arts Association. I managed to complete the course and to also get a few tries on the potter’s wheel.
Fast forward through a busy summer and I am back at the arts center again for the past few weeks and have been making a lot of items that buzz around as ideas in my head.
I have found hand building to be very creative and a great way to relax from the stress of the working week. One of the themes I have been developing is that of my “holey bowls,” a sample of which I show below:
These were made by rolling out clay and then using an existing bowl as a mold. From this I then cut holes and added a foot before firing to bisque and then experimenting with the glazes. I love the form and the use of “negative space” and seem to have a bit of an obsession with these at the moment.
Of course, as with many art pieces they are also a triumph in form over function, as a bowl with holes in it isn’t really a lot of use!
I hadn’t gone back to the wheel at all until yesterday when, after talking to several other artists in the center I realized that most had only been throwing for a year or so, so this gave me a confidence boost. I will add a few more images from these experiments once I have something decent to show, so stay tuned.
In a few hours we can breathe a collective sigh of relief as this part of the circus show draws to an end. I am sure the results of the “debate”, if one can really call it that, will be hailed as a victory for both sides some the late evening. No doubt tweets will fly and the insults will keep flowing.
The great country was once hailed as the greatest democracy on earth. This year’s Presidential election has really put a dent in that perception.
Donald Trump may well be the most ill-suited candidate for President that has ever stood for the role, and he will probably lose the race come November 8th, but his bombastic bigoted bullshit has left its mark on our society.
Let’s hope it’s not an indelible one.
WEEK 41: Landscape: Get High – Everything looks different when you are high. Find a high perspective to shoot this landscape.
Beautiful autumnal textures in Northern Pennsylvania
Recently there have been several stories from across the world concerning sinister clowns. It seems to have started off as one clown being photographed in odd places and at odd times but has then spread across the world in copycat fashion associated with web memes.
People appear to be genuinely concerned that a clown may appear in their neighborhood.
However, it seems odd to me that the most terrifying clown of them all has been hiding in plain sight for months.
Just imagine if this Bozo the Clown was given any real power, like the codes to the US nuclear arsenal…scary, eh?
~Richard
In a week of bizarre and depressing political/showbiz news and spin I needed a #r2bcheerful so I was glad to be able to take a picture of my daughter’s wonderful yellow (and black) socks as she walked down the stairs yesterday morning.
Truly a reason to bee cheerful!
A few minutes talk
revealing his demeanor.
True colors exposed
~Richard
Stuff that interests Mr Reid, a physicist and teacher
Sharing Great Blog Posts
Travelling the overcast isles
Inspiration for meeting life's challenges.
a resource for moving poetry
Welcome to my world.
Mind over matter
Musings on a mad world
Travel. Climbing. Characters. True stories, well told.
Adventuring the globe whilst based in the beautiful PNW, with a focus on fitness & adventure travel, conservation and a healthy balanced lifestyle. All with my beautiful partner in crime, Stephanie!
Games, Illustrations and Short Stories
Success By Design
A returning expat's perspective of Britain
Never get lost in the Sauce
Photo Book Store
Happy Eating
Cooking, gardening, traveling and photographing around the globe
storytelling the world
searching4theshot 