After the workshop, we left all of the pots out to the air to dry. Tammy, the owner & host at RAVEN CITY CLAY STUDIO, took us out to dinner with her husband Matt. They were so nice, great conversations & good food. I actually had grilled halibut… as that’s the thing to do up there I guess. (Although my favorite fish is a “fish stick” as the vehicle to get that tartar sauce into my mouth.) After dinner, we took a little walk through the restaurant’s outdoor area overlooking the river. And it was the rusty metal that really got my attention!!! You know how much I LOVE rusty metal!!!

After dinner, we went back to the studio to cover the pots with plastic & left the stamps out to dry. Workshop Day One… DONE!!! So much fun with such nice people!!!

One of the side benefits of a Wisconsin roadtrip last Sunday…
finding some cool rusty metal along the way!!! You know it’s my favorite!

I’ve enjoyed seeing these rusty sculptures in a few different locations around the City over the past couple years. In the summer there are usually vining flowers growing up as the “skirt.” Good to see them again… in what might be their new permanent installation space out on Northerly Island.

A quick peek at my new textured tiles in rusty metal frames for the “4×4” gallery show. Handmade & soda-fired tiles. A perfect combo in my world… you know how much I love textured AND rusty metal!!!

A cloudy day for a drive to Central Illinois for some Fourth of July Festivities! And my favorite roadside barn that I’ve been passing for years on my way to college… that is definitely showing its age. It will a sad day when it finally comes down! But until then…

Crusty rusty metal & mossy green lichens. What’s not to like?!
I love when Mother Nature takes over and does her own thing!

These two days of frozen tundra weather in Chicago have sure been a workout for our “vintage” heating system. I mean, I love the old radiators in my condo… but this on & off thing… there’s got to be a better way. Thankfully, we’ve added a few more segments of “ON” to get us through the cold snap! It doesn’t usually look this crazy!!! HA!!!

A quick layer of black underglaze makes stark contrast with the white porcelain clay. Just making a few more pieces for Amy Taylor to play with… she’s doing some fun sgraffito sketches on the black areas specifically for ART IN THE GARDEN. It’s my next art fair in Glenview where many of the artists work together on special one-of-a-kind collaborations! This is just one… I have a few more collaborations “under wraps” to share soon… but first, time to go teach my Beginner’s class!!!

For more information, click here – https://www.grassrootsartfair.com/

Need another reason to come to Sandwich this weekend?…
like THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR isn’t enough?!

Well, on Sunday, the Sandwich Antique Flea Market is open too! Just a few blocks from Cory’s studio… so stop by for some pottery… and then head over for some rusty crusty flea market fun!!!

For more information https://www.sundayatsandwichantiques.com/

Looks like a strong wind must have come through… and sadly,
it looks like my favorite rustic roadside barn is starting to fall apart?!