Yesterday was one of those days that turns out just right. Renée and Monique had been trying to find a day when they could ‘Raid’ my studio one more time and paint plates. I hadn’t had visiting artists here to do that since late last year. There were a number of slab plates on hand, some bisque-fired and some bone dry so we chose Wednesday to get together again.
The two painters were here at 10am on a fine sunny Spring day, bringing along their home-made contributions for lunch. With coffee and catch-up conversation as they painted their selected plates, the morning passed quickly. My job was to make sure all the jars of underglazes were topped up before I turned to carving eggs (more on that later..).
It is no secret that Eric Metcalfe, my long-time colleague and friend and founder of our ‘Raids’, suffered a serious stroke late last year. After a long hospital stay and currently living in a rehabilitation home, he has made amazing progress in recovering. But life is somewhat boring and Karen Henry, his partner, heard that a Raid was planned and wondered if she could bring Eric out to join us for a few hours. Yes! of course. As we finished lunch they arrived and we were delighted to see Eric walking in, carefully. He was plainly very pleased to be here again, on this his longest outing so far. He settled in to draw, and then paint an abstract design on a lunch-size plate, just like before. As we five worked and chatted it felt so good to be together again.
After a while it was time for me to put on the kettle for the traditional tea-time. Karen had made a special delicious celebratory Irish chocolate pudding cake, served with her own creme fraiche, and we gathered outside in the sunshine. Alan left his writing to join us.
Six finely painted plates are now waiting for me to finish some of my work to fill the kiln before these can be bisqued and glaze fired. Renée and Monique each completed work on two platters and plates, and Eric and Karen painted designs on one each. Here they are drying. They represent a very special day, and I was happy to welcome my visiting Raiders once more.
So glad you had Eric back. It’s great you all got to sit outdoors for your lunch.
Wonderful to see Eric out and about and doing a raid! Thanks for this lovely post Gillian, and these lively snaps. XxPierre
Fantastic!
What a grand event! It is so great and heart warming to see Eric out and about again, surrounded by old friends, doing what he loves to do. I wonder if a “Boyz Lunch Out” could be in the cards, very soon?
What a great idea and beautiful day!
Hi Gillian,
This looks like a landmark day for Eric. It means so much to see my brother back with his beloved Raiders.
Thank you.
Deborrah Krutzmann (nee: Metcalfe)
I’m glad you found my little account of the most recent Raid, Deborrah. It was a heartwarming afternoon, seeing Eric back in my studio again, doing what he loves. Now I must get those plates glazed and fired this week.