There were seven of my jugbirds in that firing of all the plates. As Don Hutchinson and I chatted at the opening of ‘Two for Joy’ I asked him how he could be giving up making pottery after all these years. But after a career teaching at Langara and then continuing as a partner in Bob Kingsmill’s pottery shop for another decade after that, I think he feels his work is out there. He plans to continue with the less equipment-demanding pursuit of painting. Then I confessed that, what with Cuba, two flus, Christmas etc I had only seven pots finished just now he nodded, hmm. But, bless his heart, he did say that I must continue to make my colourful, humorous birds. The ceramic community  needs some fun, says he.

The February BC Potters Guild newsletter has an interview with Don Hutchinson by Carol Mayer, marking his retirement and sale of all his studio equipment and supplies. I’ll miss bumping into Don on my trips to Granville Island and spotting his equally humorous bird-themed slip-trailed plates and whimsical bowls.

Here are my recent jugbirds. The all-black one is intended to thought of as a raven for a friend who sees that bird as her inspiration and heredity. I am, of course, not about to imitate a North-West coast style. The others, all birds I’ve often made before,  along with a selection of half a dozen salty birds from the late December firing were delivered to Circle Craft, or supplemented my group at the Gallery of BC Ceramics.

Now I probably should turn around and make sure I have some on hand for YVR and a gallery in Victoria which has enquired if I’m interested in selling over there. Then I had a phone call from England – a Blue Tit jugbird please – and an email reminding me that I promised a special BC bird ages ago. I suggested a Woodpecker but am now thinking that a larger, glowering Peregrine Falcon might be good.