My original plan was to have these sgraffito platters ready for my first art fair in April. Well, that’s been cancelled… but I’m still trying to stay on top of things. So here’s some of my latest sgraffito fun in the studio. Working on a few platters using my favorite DiamondCore carving tools!

Platter #1

Platter #2

Platter #3

Platter #4

Platter #5

So yesterday was the first Instagram Live video tour of the Archie Bray ceramic facility in Montana. I’ve never been there… so it was a great chance to watch a little tour. And the best part… it was hosted by Steven Lee who was one of my former instructors at Lillstreet. I would consider him the best teacher that I had along the way… great potter, great teacher, great mentor!

Sadly, this Instagram Live event is done… but he did say they will be doing this regularly as part of their “new normal” at The Bray. So follow them on Instagram… I think the next LIVE event is this Friday!!! Such a wonderful way for Steve to get out there to share with all of us in the clay community during these trying times! Thank you Steve… again, a wonderful mentor!

Remember, the picture below was the announcement post for yesterday… but if you Follow on Instagram, you’ll see the posting for the next Instagram Live!

HAPPY MUGSHOT MONDAY! As we’re all self-isolating & spending far too much time at home… tackling some long over-due projects… I thought to myself, “Sure, I could dust those shelves.” Instead, I just thought better and decided to post them as they are. Stacked. Over-flowing. And yes… DUSTY!

Don’t hate. I’ll try to take care of that when “I get some spare time.”
Oh wait…

Seemed oddly appropriate for today’s studio background movie… HAKUNA MATATA. It means no worries, for the rest of your days! It’s our problem-free, philosophy... HAKUNA MATATA.

And yes, you can thank me now for getting that little diddy stuck in your head for the rest of the day !!

Getting ready for a little geometric sgraffito carving session… made so much easier with my DiamondCore carving tools. Gotta get these plates decorated before they dry out too much! And who knows what the next couple days might bring?

As I was leaving the studio today, I left this festive “bowl-full-of-fun” in the kiln room just In case someone has room in their bisque kiln. I’m guessing these might there for quite awhile… luckily, dust will burn right off!!!

Apparently haven’t heard of social distancing yet?!

By now you all know how much I love a good sunrise! But when you add that in the reflection of a beautiful bricolage mosaic “sunrise” along the lakefront… even better!!! These mosaics are on one of the beach house at Kathy Osterman Beach on the far northside of Chicago’s lakefront… right at the northern end of Lake Shore Drive!

A little chillier than I expected, but still the best way to start the day. And at this time of the morning, on a breezy frozen lakefront… there was no worry of social distancing. I kinda had the whole place to myself!!!

When I first started making this batch of ornaments, I thought I was getting a headstart. Now I fear with everything getting cancelled… that I might be right on schedule for the next art fairs that “might be” running!??? This is just plain WEIRD!!!