There was a big push to get the jug birds for YVR finished and delivered in January so that I could go on holiday with Alan with a clear conscience! He found a cheap flight and hotel in familiar Puerto Vallarta, and the idea of time to read novels, sitting under an umbrella, within sound of breaking waves and with the odd Pina Colada delivered seemed like something I could handle. Usually the weather in the Vancouver area is dreadfully grey and wet but this year it has been sunny, if cold, we’re told. The link here will take you to my latest Picasa album which is a collection of photos of gorgeous flowers, some birds, the ocean and us in Puerto Vallarta. (Some of you will already have received the photos in your email). Now Al and I just have to shake off colds we’ve acquired while travelling. What a waste of time!

https://picasaweb.google.com/112208740085943894765/PuertoVallartaJan2014

Now we’re home and it’s time to get back to the studio. My plan is to switch to stoneware clay and see how many pieces I can make, spray with slips and bisque in time for a planned salt firing out at Herman’s again at the end of February.

But I should make a few earthenware plates first. We’ve challenged members of TriCity Potters to make some interesting dinner plates for a critique evening in March. Then we’ll donate them to Port Moody Arts Centre to be used at a fund-raising dinner later in the Spring. There’s a push on to raise funds to complete the moving of a heritage house next to the Arts Centre and build a smart glass-walled atrium to connect the two. Our hope is to start holding our monthly meetings in the new space and feel more connected to other artists. Meeting at the local High School has been affordable but not ideal.

I took a chilly walk down to the Arts Centre this afternoon and took these photos of the buildings.

Now would be a very good time for the City’s Parks Maintenance staff to do a considered but major pruning of the lovely tree on the corner.

Once inside I took another look at the instructor’s show and realize that I omitted Dan Severance’s work when I was noting clay pieces in the show in a previous blog. Possibly that was because Dan’s work is white this time, not his signature brightly coloured ware. He really has figured out how to make functional, attractive pieces without using the potter’s wheel.