So last night in class, I did a little “interpreting” of where my students stand in their clay skills. We were scheduled to make mugs out of their existing cylinders… trimming, handles, attachments, etc. However, no one had a cylinder at the right stage. So we postponed that demo and went straight for “Demo-On-Demand.” After a little discussion, we did a basic cylinder from the start for the brand new beginners… followed by a larger vase, a plate and a platter for the advanced beginners. The “challenge” for my students this session is to make a plate that they are willing to trade & exchange during the last class. So we jumped ahead a bit… and went straight to plates!!

After the throwing demos, they all went back to work at their wheels… and we ended the class by making a few stamps. We’ll get them fired and then they can use them on their pots for the rest of the session. Gotta get ’em started early on the stamping obsession!!!

This morning was dark. A lot of clouds obliterating the sky
with very little hope of a good sunrise… until… color?…      wait for it…   wait for it…

Yep, and there it is. STUNNING. A vibrant splash of color with some great textural accents.
Well worth the wait.

All too soon, the sun tucked back behind the clouds and the sky show was over in minutes.

But then there was a small encore at the end to cap off the morning. Ta-da!!!

So I’m finally back from Dover… and tonight was my “return” to the studio!
Okay, well not really MY studio but to the classroom as it was my night to teach.
My class of beginners & advanced beginners are already in their third week of class. I missed the first two – thank you Catherine Tweedie for subbing. It felt weird to swoop in during Week 3 with the students already hitting their stride. So I knew I had to do something to win them over… yep, you got it… OREO’S!!! And lots of them. I couldn’t decide how much “stuffing” we wanted, so I got them all : single, double, triple, mega!!!

And we’ve sort of come to a consensus…

Whoo-hoo!!! Nothing better than coming home from a great bike ride and finding “free money” on the street!!! Maybe I need to buy a lotto ticket today?!

What better way to end a wonderful Fourth of July than sitting around a campfire making s’mores with friends?! We’ve already had fun, food & fireworks… one last sweet treat before my drive back to the City.

With our lawn chairs & blankets in tow, we went over to the local high school to sit on the football field to see the fireworks spectacular. Every year we’re quite amazed at how huge their fireworks show is. For a little town like Chenoa, they put on quite a show!!!

Every year, the rural town of Chenoa pulls out all the stops for July Fourth. All of the charming “hometown” activities you would expect. Including a parade through the center of town. And what little kid doesn’t like a parade… especially when the toss candy to you as they drive by?! Well, my college friends live in this quaint town with their ten kids. Some of the older ones weren’t there for the parade… but the littler ones were all excited, and maybe a little apprehensive, about the approaching parade. And by “parade” I mean every firetruck, tractor and politician from the surrounding towns. A few bands, a couple clowns and some Shriners in their mini cars!!!

The littlest one Ryann getting some comfort on the lap of older brother Camden…
before she built up enough bravery to head out on her own!

Finally, some candy to grab… worth the wait!!!

Finan & Rosie were anticipating candy as well… seasoned veterans that they are!!!

And the pride of a full bag of candy at the end of the parade!!!

One of the highlights of spending the Fourth of July in downstate Illinois is the charming “Norman Rockwell” quality of it all. Including corn dogs, lemon shake-ups, flea markets and vintage car shows. I’m not so much into the old cars… but I am REALLY into the beautiful colors and rusted patina on this beauty from 1939!!! Seventy-six years of rust… beautiful!!!

Feels good to be home from Dover… and just in time for the Fourth of July!
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday with family & friends… and FIREWORKS!!!