Looking for El Cheapo Studio Space and a beat up truck

The search continues as well as massive cleaning of the shop.
If anyone spots a cheap studio spot with potential let me know. You know the place, handyman special with elbow grease, paint and hope. I do have followers and people who need what I sell so it is not like starting totally over. I need water, and to be able to hook up my kilns. The spot cannot be to scary at night because I teach class.
And I need an old mini van or toyota truck. I suspect it is the type with one fender the wrong color but runs good. I hear they are hard to find. No one wants to give them up. I'll bet some of those monster like SUV's will be cheap now with gas prices soaring. I will just rent a wreck if need be but there are a lot of moves around here now and a truck or van could come in handy.

Happy Mother's day to everyone.

Back in the Swing of Things Again

It is fun to teach my pottery classes again. Not only is it a great way to show people how creative they really can be, I learn from my students as well. Sometimes I see unusual techniques they invent as novices on the spot and sometimes it is general life info. They usually think of new ideas they want to create and love playing with textures in clay. They kind of get to be a kid again.

This week I did the finishing touches on the Tomato mans urn while my advanced students worked on vases and dinnerware. One student produced dinnerware set for her graduating senior. Imagine that, a 4 piece dinnerware set including 4 plates, 4 pinched bowls and 4 cups made for the daughter by the mother. That is special.

In the general life lesson department, I learned about a a great "stuff "cleansing one of my students did in her last move. She and her husband sold everything they had in a garage sale and moved to Tulsa only with their ever so loved tee pee and no jobs. They soon got terrific jobs and a house and all the things you need to live. They "clean out" and extras now once a year. She said it was a great feeling and refreshing getting rid of everything. Can I do this at some point?

The shop is doing fine even with the construction and dust flying as they improve our street. Both of my children are going to graduate. One from Kansas City Art Institute and the other from Booker T Washington high school.

My energy is flowing back into my shop and creativity. Dental surgery is now behind me and my tennis elbow is slowly healing. All is well and I will soon post picture of new pots in the shop and those soon to be finished.

Anyone who reads this blog and comes to the pottery before Mothers Day to buy a gift can receive 25% off any of my pottery or gift items in the shop. Just tell me the magic words "Mother's Day Blog Discount" and ask for 25% off. Happy Mother's day to all!

Art Sudio Questions

I recently sent our an email to many on my mailing list asking for general info on those who may be looking for studio space. We have a terrific studio idea that may come to pass and thsi is the kind of info i need from responsible Tulsa artists. This is in the early planning stages and may or maynot come about. Email me and tell me if you fine this email realtive. So sorry I don't have everyone's email that I wanted to ask these questions. So see what you think.

Hi dear friends and fellow artists,
As most of you know my block has sold and I am in the process of making "space" decisions.
My questions are-
1. Are you interested in renting shared but separate studio space? Like warehouse space? Do you need space now? Can you play well with others?
2. How much space and how much money can you afford for a space? What would you expect the space to offer you?
3. Are you primarily interested in gallery space, work space or both?
4. Have you ever been in a lease for work space before and how many hours would you speculate you could be involved in such a space per week?

Does this idea interest you at all?

Thanks, No obligations on your or my part yet. Linda Coward. Brookside Pottery

The Insecurity of time and space

I really want to be past all this. I am thinking of moving my shop home and scaling down while waiting for bigger things to happen. The insecurities of not knowing a real time frame and the threat of the rent sky rocketing is taking a toll on my emotions.
I have always believed in creative problem solving and meet most life challenges head on and full speed ahead. I am tired of indecision.
My friend and fellow potter in Austin Texas as a child had a sign in her club house

'DO NOT WORRY ANNISARILY'

So how do we know how much to worry? The whole 37th street block is just riding the wave. I just want to get my work done but this little cloud follows us all. We will likely survive but it takes great patience and confidence. Now where is that trust fund? Maybe in my next life.

And on top of it all I found out Friday I am having dental surgery Monday morning. Now isn't that my most favorite thing? At least it is not a front tooth! The glass is still half full.
And my injured arm is still hurting but now has some sort of steroid boost and I am waiting to feel better soon. At least now I know it is those little hand movements that cause the pain. So maybe I will only make monster pots, giant ones!

Luckily, Ian is taking care of the shop graduating from KCAI and Rachel is heading to University of Missouri photo journalism next year with scholarships. John is very supportive and helpful during all this drama. It is nice to have a generous loving husband. And thank you, all my friends who call and come by to check on me and the shop during these unusual challenges.

The force be with us all!

Poems from the middle of the night

I love reading poetry in the middle of the night from old books on our bookshelf.
Tonight I am enjoying translations edited by Robert Bly from The Sea and the Honeycomb
A Book of Tiny Poems, A Seventies Press Book.

Robert Bly writes
A poet who writes a short poem is like a man who has found his way through a stone wall into a valley miles long, where he lives. He walks back up the valley, and opens a door in the wall for an instant to show you where the entrance is. The more imaginative readers are able to slip through in the twenty or thirty seconds it takes to read his poem. Those who expect the poet to give them ideas see only a vague movement on the side of the mountain. Before they have turned all the way around to face the poem, the door is closed.

***

An American Indian Anonymous

Sometimes I go about pitying myself,
and all the time
I am being carried on great winds across the sky.

Chippewa language, adapted froom the translation by Frances Densmore

***
Translated by Robert Bly:


Issa
I look into a dragonfly's eye
and see
the mountains over my shoulder.

***


Issa
The old dog bends his head listening...
I guess the singing
of the earthworms gets to him

***

Issa
Now listen, you watermelons-
if any thieves come-
turn into frogs!

***

Jose Juan Tablata
The little monkey looks at me...
He wants to tell me something-
that he has forgotten!

***

Basho
The temple bell stops-
but the sound keeps coming
out of the flowers.

***

Anonymous Pashtun Poet

Call it Romance

Call it romance, call it love,
you did it.
Now pull up the blanket,
I want to sleep.

Translated from the Pashtun by Sadudin Shpoon

The Tomatoe Man Dies

I am honored to be asked to make the Tomato Man's Urn. I knew him and once traded one of my straw hats I was wearing for several tomato plants. Never a dull moment.
I met his wonderful daughter and was really impressed with her stories and her relationship with her father.
The urn will be most appropriate with tomato plant leaves presses in it with garlic images as well as glistening tree leaves on the lid.
Thank you for asking me to make this very meaningful pot. He will be missed by the entire community of tomato and garlic gardeners and many more.
The services are next Thursday. More details later.

The Block has sold

Yes it happened
One of the Allen brothers came in and told us it happened. Living month to month on a rental contract with Brockman Properties for 15 years has finally come to an end. They handed us each 2 letters. One told us where to mail our rent and they are our new landlords and the other talks about people coming in and measuring our shops as they make changes which are still unknown to us.
The rent will increase and probably more than double but we don' t know when. We are all guessing and riding a roller coaster ride of emotions. Stay, go, run, hide, deal, panic and don't worry about it. It is emotionally exhausting. It is no surprise and we are all actually handling it ok considering.
Thank you Mrs Pitcock for being a supporter for artists on our block and making it possible to create such a creative area in Tulsa. You were so good to us.

We still do not know much about what is going to happen.

Part of me wants to go home and work and concentrate only on my own work and do it in the most simple way. But the other part wants to build a fantastic new art center with a wonderful new friend. I am gathering information and thoughts and wisdom from very supportive friends and will know what to do soon.

What can I afford? How much energy do I have to devote to community arts again?

More later after I have thought more and measured the pros and cons.