The weather was beautiful last weekend in Rochester and the crowds turned out for the festival. There were lots of clouds on Sunday but the rain held off for the most part. Yay. Being an artist that works primarily with paper can be quite challenging on a rainy day.

It was great to see my marvelous customers. One lady said that she had followed my work for the past 13 years! Since my debut at Clothesline. What an honor! I had to chance to meet alot of new faces even a Facebook Fan! How cool is that?

Here are a couple of highlights from the show. There was the beautiful gallery, of course…

the lovely atrium interior with a Henry Moore sculpture

a very interesting 4th Rochester Biennial exhibit. Loved this kinetic piece by Anne Havens.

There was music, food, and lots of artwork.

Sales were brisk. Yay. If you know me then you know I am a ceramics junkie. If I have a good show I am strongly inclined to purchase a new piece to celebrate. I thought it would be fun to introduce you to some of my favorite Upstate New York ceramicists.

Shown above are the pieces that I purchased this year. Aren’t they lovely. I can’t keep my hands off that mug. I feel very special drinking my coffee and tea from this earthy and contemporary cup. I can’t wait to use the bowl at our next family gathering or dinner club. The artist Renata Wadsworth is from Ithaca and her work is available online www.natapots.com and at the MAG gallery store.

This raku tile piece is by my friend Peter Valenti from Syracuse. We have been neighbors at the show and have watched each others children grow up from year to year. Peter primarily does wall pieces but often has vessels in his booth. His work can be purchased at shows and Eureka Crafts in Syracuse.

One of my favorite ceramist is Hodaka Hasebe. I have many of his pieces and have given lots of them as gifts. The glazes, texture, shape and functionality of his vessels have always appealed to me. His work can be purchased directly at many Upstate New York art festivals or in his etsy shop.

If my life could spare the time I would love to do ceramics again. I have 2 kilns that are waiting to be used. An old gas studio kiln out in the barn and a small electric kiln. Unfortunately my weak wrist has a hard time manipulating clay these days but I sure gave it a whirl in college. The piece shown below I made in a class at RIT. It is based on Franz Marc’s  The Large Blue Horses painting. Farmboy and I carried it around for 10 years stowing it under beds and in the basement of whatever place we were renting before we were able to actually install it.

I love sitting at the wheel. The whole centering process. You know I’ve said before that I was the self-professed Mud-Pie Queen in Mississippi growing up. I’m certain that has something to do with my love of gardening and ceramics. The firing process is like magic. Everytime the kiln opens its like Christmas morning. Although I don’t create ceramics anymore, I certainly appreciate their beauty and craftsmanship. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some ceramics work from some very talented artists. Be sure to check out their websites!

We fought rain, wind and sun this past weekend in Buffalo. It was also quite an adventure getting there. Farmboy decided at 2pm on Friday that it was time to make hay! Make hay! (He insists that it was the HAY that decided it was ready… not him.) It never ends… farming. I had reservations at a hotel in Buffalo for Friday night. Dropped off kiddos at Junebug’s in Rochester and we came rolling into Buffalo at 2am. That wake-up call at 6am was dreadful. Farmboy helped me set up and my sister came to spend the day with me while Farmboy drove back to the farm to check the hay and feed all the animals. Sister and I had a great time catching up while I got a terrific sunburn. Farmboy arrived back in town at 8pm and we decided to head out to dinner.

I’ve always wanted to eat at Mother’s and sitting out on the covered patio was perfect. Had a delicious Swordfish steak with wasabi and ginger on a rice pilaf. Farmboy enjoyed his seared scallops with black linguine and sundried tomatoes. Sister had a grilled pesto shrimp salad with fresh mozzarella, kalamata olives, tomatoes and arugula. Delish. It poured for a while but the air was warm and we were dry so I was a happy camper… a tired, but happy camper.

I have the best customers! It was wonderful to see familiar faces and make some new friends. I love catching up from year to year and I get such a charge hearing when a gift purchased was a big hit when given. That is THE best. My new Baby Announcements received plenty of attention. I was very pleased. Until next year Buffalo… see you then.