Is it Hand Thrown Pottery, Hand Built or Handthrown or Handbuilt?

We get a lot of traffic from consumers looking for hand built (handbuilt) or hand thrown (handthrown depending on your publishing style) pottery. Truthfully, there seems to be a dearth of good pottery online. I think it is because potters, more than other artists seem to be more "earthy" if you'll pardon the pun, and less inclined to use technology to market their work. I have long been a handmade pottery collector, and have even taken a course or two to create some of my own designs.

I think I've shared with readers before, but one of my daughters, as a teenage asked me to take a pottery course with her. It was one of the most rewarding times as the mother of a teen I could have.

I discovered through that experience that I loved working with clay to create "hand built" pottery, but would probably never be any good at the wheel, or "hand thrown" pottery.

Hand made pottery of any kinds, whether it is thrown, raku, hand built, Majorca or even porcelain makes a wonderful gift because of its personal nature. You can often see subtle signs of human interaction with the clay, just like in a painting you can often see distinctive brush marks made by the artist.

We hope you enjoy perusing our pages for pottery!--Ruth Mitchell

Above left: "Faceted Cream and Sugar" by Allan Buitekant
Above right: "Organic Cap Jar" by Gina Skillings

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Did You Know?

"Stars and Stripes" - Andrew Neighbour

At various times I have sung the praises of the Internet in this blog. Usually it has to do with how it makes my life easier, or better. Today, I want to share with you how it can change the way you vote, which ultimately empowers you in this Democracy we live in.

Have you ever walked into the polling place, you know who you want to vote for President, or maybe there are one or two issues you feel passionately about and you're well versed on? Or perhaps someone has tried to convince you how to vote one way or the other, and you just want the straight facts, but when you get to the voting machine, you've forgotten your reading glasses, there's a huge line behind you, and you're uncertain because of double negatives which way to vote.

Yes, that's right. All that information is online. Typically each state has a website with ballot issues there for you to review before you go to the polls. In my state this can be found at the Secretary of State's site. A quick Google should find this for you. By pulling up those initiatives ahead of time, you can read first hand and decide for yourself how to vote. You don't have to depend on who has created the most clever television advertisement.

Another way the Internet can help you vote your conscience, is to sort out through all the BS. I was curious about some of the vindictive political ads, so took it upon myself to do some research. In less then 15 minutes, I came to a better understanding of some pretty outrageous mudslinging.

In the old elementary school I attended quite some time ago, there was a motto emblazoned in the concrete lentil above the door. It said "knowledge is power." That saying has stuck with me through the years. Early voting has already begun. Go out and vote!--Ruth Mitchell

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Apocalypto Now

I've never been a big Mel Gibson fan, and with his recent highly publicized personal behavior such a turn off, I might never have rented Apocalypto, a 2006 action adventure movie by Touchstone Pictures, had I known he directed it. Lucky for me, ignorance is bliss, because not only was this movie a stunning visual feast, but so mentally captivating, I felt like I was immersed physically into the violent action of this mysterious culture during the entire duration of the movie.

The Mayan civilization is known for its spectacular art, monumental architecture and sophisticated understanding of both mathematics and astronomy. It is also the only culture of the pre-Columbian Americas to have a written language. At around 800 A.D. this powerful culture and society began to decline due to rising conflicts, dense population and ecological factors such as drought.

The movie takes place in the twilight of this culture's demise, one that has lasted nearly a 1,000 years. During those few hours of the movie's length you are taken by the hand through the lush jungle experience with all senses fully engaged as you cheer the determined Jaguar Paw on through his violent capture and escape from blood thirsty adversaries as if his successful escape determines your own survival against the cruel predators he encounters in this raw jungle environment.

It is the incredible realism of the sounds of the jungle foliage being ripped through by powerful bodies running on bare feet in the many chases scenes, the realistic and brutal spilling of blood as heads roll in human sacrifice down the stepped facade of Mayan Temples, and the extreme and exotic visual scenes of the urban festivities that will keep you mesmerized during the entire length of the film.

While some cultural experts lambaste Gibson for inaccuracies and the intensely brutal depiction of the Mayan people, others, including many Mayan groups have pronounced the production to be consistent with the cultural knowledge of this ancient people. It is common belief that the Maya were wiped out by the Spanish Conquistadors, when in fact there are approximately 6 million Mayan living in and near to Central America.

The fact that the movie's cast is made up almost entirely of "naturals" not professional actors, lends another element of realism to the action that wouldn't be possible if say Academy Award winner Mel Gibson himself were a star in the movie. Hurray for Hollywood on this one. This movie is an artistic triumph and I urge you to rent it.--Ruth Mitchell

Apocalypto(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Using Art as a Statement

More so in the past than in today's cultural climate, artists often used their creative powers to make political statements. It's actually quite unusual to run across an artist who identifies so strongly with humanitarian issues as does artist Ildikó Kalapács of Spokane, WA. Currently she has two works which are being exhibited this month at the Two Wall Gallery, Vashon Island, Washington as part of the "Art of Democracy" exhibit, a National Coalition of Art Exhibitions aimed at the "Dire State of Politics" in this country.

"This past summer I was looking for venues to exhibit some of my art works which deal with environmental and identity (cultural/racial) issues," says Ildikó. She had two works accepted in the juried show. One painting is called "Carbon Footprint" and the other is "Native Not." (pictured above) "The body language of the figures incorporated into the works give my sense of the political situation right now in the US.: One is "free-falling" and the other is "rigid," she explains.

The exhibit lasts all month, so if you are in the Seattle area, please go out and see it.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Is McCarthyism Dead? Maybe Not

Yesterday, while waiting patiently at a "big box" to get some tweaking done on my new computer I was approached by a man who first tried to blatantly flatter me then resorted to humor to engage me in conversation. I resisted but did eventually, out of sheer boredom, finally get sucked in. Within the next two minutes he said, "I can't believe we are about to elect a Marxist (code word "commie") to the Presidency of the United States. This after he had told me how he gets out of speeding tickets by telling the officer he is a former Navy vet, and that his mortgage is not jeopardized so he didn't really care about anyone else's plight. Wow, Mr., I'm just waiting on the Geeks to fix my computer.

As there is one political party in our country that seems to attract such belligerent propaganda junkies,I was certain that he was just your plain vanilla racist who had learned a big word. I've learned not to assume anything, and I wanted him to show his hand after such an inflammatory remark. Sure enough, he was talking about Obama. I wanted to stay stone faced and say something appropriate, but the reflex of laughter just poured out of me. It was like the polarity of the jerk magnet had been suddenly reversed, and to my great pleasure he disappeared across the room faster than a speeding bullet. Today is a good day to think about outcomes, to cherish our home planet Earth, and to have compassion for ourselves and others. Take heart, be creative and no matter what your political or religious proclivities are, rejoice in the many gifts we receive.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Beautiful Bamboo

Have you heard about the beauty of bamboo? Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant in the world, and for that reason makes a great building material because it renews itself at such a fast rate. Some species can grow as much as three to four feet a day or one to two inches an hour! This is due to a unique rhizome-dependent system, but growth is highly dependent on local soil and climate conditions.

Now you can buy "green" by purchasing furniture made of bamboo. We are fortunate to offer two pieces made of handcrafted bamboo we think you'll love: the unique chair and ottoman reminiscent of Charles and Ray Eames of the 1940's, or our spiffy end table.--Ruth Mitchell

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

"Performance Near Stern's School Road" - Priscilla Humay

Priscilla Humay's incredible landscapes are mesmerizing, and the fact that she uses a rather unusual medium, colored pencils, lends a special aura to her work. And guess what her giclees can be purchased at the incredible price of $75 with no shipping costs making them a great wedding or Christmas gift.

Humay just recently taught an "Autumn Landscape" color drawing class at the Morton Arboretum. "I took my students out on the first morning. We scoured the Arboretum for hints of changing color. This Autumnal scientific phenomenon of color change, that we were to draw was just not there and it was a bit disappointing. However, we found a spot where there were minor colorations and started creating. Returning on the second morning to the same spot, the colors seemed to nudge just a bit. On the third and last morning at the same spot and after a cold and crisp night, the students were excited with the wondrous burst of crimson, gold, purple, and orange. As with all art, science is its constant companion." --Priscilla Humay

The Morton Arboretum was founded in 1922 by Morton Salt magnate Joy Morton. Its 1,700 acres hold collections of more than 4,000 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum grounds offer an oasis of magnificently tended trees, 16 miles of hiking trails, 9 miles of roads, and 900 acres of natural areas including the prototypical, restored 100-acre Schulenberg Prairie.

Read more about the arboretum here...

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Is Your Future in the Stockmarket Toilet?

"Magnolia" - Pavel Rehurek

Tired of watching your investments go down the stockmarket drain? Art and Barbie Dolls have made excellent investments through the years, and you can enjoy both of them. Read more here....

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved