I’ve finally started to pack up some stuff from the house and shelves are beginning to appear from under pots, sculptures and more.  Our move to Austin date is official now of August 12th but I wanted to get a head start so I’m not stressed during the entire summer.  So far, 8 boxes of pots and other things from our house collection are packed.  Most are from various rooms and shelves so these aren’t even our everyday use pots.  Those are getting packed shortly as I wait for a delivery of more boxes from Uline.  

The house, even though it’s overwhelming, pales in comparison to what I need to do in the studio.  I’m typically only allowed to bring certain things into the house so we don’t get too cluttered.  My office and my studio are a different story.  

These two places seem to be where stuff goes when I don’t know what else to do with it.  The answer to that question for a normal person would be: give it away or throw it out.  I prefer to make piles and then figure out how to maneuver around it in order to keep working.  For instance, In order to mix glazes for tests last week I had to move piles of boxes and old, old pots to create a sawhorse table to work on.  Those pots need to find a home or a hammer.  The boxes could probably use a trip to the recycling center.  

I was planning on this week being a dedicated throwing week but it doesn’t seem to be working out that way.  I gave myself until the end of June to work wet, but I may extend that a little.  I have a few more things I’d like to make but I also just need to start winding down the studio operations and start cleaning and packing.  I’m intent on only bringing what’s absolutely necessary to start back up again once I find a place in Austin.  I’ll have plenty of time to fill up that space with useless junk…no need to bring any from the Cape.  My best pots will be heading off to some galleries later this week so that will clear up even more space.

The next couple of weeks should blow by really quickly.  My class at Castle Hill starts on Monday.  I’m really excited about it and looking forward to starting off the summer by teaching.  Watching this fantastic video about cups with Pete Pinnell gave me some good ideas for the class.

After my class, Aysha Peltz is teaching a 3 Day workshop and I signed up for it.  Her class is going to focus on covered jars.  That is a form that I never have felt too comfortable with.  Probably because I haven’t made enough to let it develop as part of my vocabulary.  I haven’t taken a hands-on workshop since I started my studio 12 years ago and I’m really looking forward to it.  I think taking a class will be a nice way to begin my hiatus from making new pots.  When I find a space in Austin, I’m looking forward to going in fresh with some new ideas and less clutter.