Quote from New Orleans Psychic

A typical psychic sign on the square in New Orleans. This quote was not predicted by this particular psychic but I bet she had some stories to tell as well.

The truest quote I have heard from a psychic was recently in New Orleans.

"People just want a lot of stuff for free." Yep, that sums it up. It is true in every profession right now. I was just thinking this evening about how true this really is. Everyone wants their palm read for nothing, right? I think the going rate was $20 a hand.

Trash to treasure, a pottery critique

Trash truck in Costa Rica. They have a universal smell.

My friend Joe came by the other day and told me a great story about an unusual art critic. The story went sort of like this:

Joe was working on a rectangular window box and asked the janitor cleaning the room what he thought about it.
"Needs a roof." said the man with the broom.

"But it is a planter and if I put a roof on it the plants cannot grow."

"I've seen lots of art like that. I know a lot about art."said the man sweeping.

"Oh yeah," said Joe. "How do you know? Where did you learn about art?"

Janitor, "I used to run a trash truck. And we found lots of stuff like that sitting on the curb. And lots of art like these pieces sitting around you too."

"Really?" said Joe.

"Oh yea, and all I had to do was pick it up and look at it and before long I could tell what was wrong with it and why it was sitting by the curb. Yes I saw a lot of stuff in the garbage , just like this sitting by the curb. Still think it needs a roof."

Linda Coward's New Oklahoma Buffalo Pots Available at Water Street Gallery in Sapulpa

Buffalo at midnight, $150 available at a new co-op gallery in Sapulpa. About 20" across.

Buffalo #2, available in Sapulpa

These new pots are terra cotta and are from my new "Where you are." series. We moved to Oklahoma because of my husband's research about Native Americans. The buffalo symbolizes time gone by in Oklahoma to me and is a fascinating creature beginning to make a come back.
This will be a creative way for me to interpret how I feel about Oklahoma. My most recent Oklahoma series focused on the Oklahoma wind as I interpreted it in clay masks for the wall.

Some of my Favorite Pots and sculpture from Nceca 2009 and area museums

Just a glimpse at some of the pots I saw. The show was successful with exhibits, gallery participation, visiting with old friends and getting more inspired. The mugs famous and not so famous generally ran around $45-$150. There was a giant mug sale and lots to do in a short time.

"It Looks Like the Pots are Dancing in Front of you."

Sometimes kids just know how to say it. My friend Kristine or "Tine" as the nieces and nephew call her, brought them all to the pottery for a surprise visit. The extended family is from Chicago and they always come to visit when they come during spring vacation.
They were watching me throw mommie pots and putting them on the table for me when I heard Jimmie say, "It looks like the pots are dancing in front of you." Quite an observation. I had them write it on a large sheet of brown paper so we would not forget it.
We had fun and I hope they will come back for another lesson soon.

I Just Love My Pottery Students!

Thank you Vera Ballew for the photos from last week. Heidi is learning fast and she is a fantastic middle school teacher in Sapulpa and a long time friend as well.

When I first moved to Tulsa, I still missed Austin Texas. I looked around a Tulsa and wondered where all the interesting people were. There seemed to be a wide class distinction and I could not find the "cool and interesting" people, the people like I knew in Austin.
Then, a year later, I opened my shop and they came. I have continued to meet more and more interesting people from all walks of life. People who may have had a desire to make art and then some unnknowing elementary teacher said, "Hey! Ducks aren't blue!" and zap. The ego was squashed and had to be found again. Lots of times there is still a spark of desire to try it again, long after that teacher has hit the dust. And that is where I come in. I try and restore the love of art and creativity and help people find their way.

I don't know how many people I have taught over the years but the answer is a whole lot more than I even realize. Thirty or so years, maybe 20 people 4 times a year or so including scout groups and church groups etc. Hmm. A lot is the answer. And many have become lifetime friends and so many have helped me in so many ways as well. I have been given everything from massages to a big bag of socks when I said I needed some socks. Be careful what you ask for!
My students contiue to fascinate me with what they produce and what great friends most become.

I am a lucky person!

Pottery Class in Tulsa at the Philbrook

Want to take a pottery class?
This class should be fun. It is all about making garden sculpture, planters and fountains and starts April 23rd at the Philbrook.

Here is my listing under adult classes at the Philbrook. Please contact them to sign up or me for more information. It is a lovely setting for a pottery class and they have good equipment!
For more information call the Philbrook at 918.748.5379 or visit their web site at www.Philbrook.org

Street Address	2727 South Rockford Road Tulsa OK 74114
Mailing Address	P.O. Box 52510 Tulsa OK 74152
Telephone	918 749-7941 800 324 7941

Garden Pots & Planters

Starts: Thursday, April 23, 2009 Ends: Thursday, May 28, 2009 Times: 6:30 pm to 9 pm $136/member, $170/not-yet member Artist: Linda Coward Using high-fire clay, hand-building and throwing techniques, students will create a variety of fun vessels for the garden. All skill levels.