Peggy Ln

Alexandra Engelfriet working in her studio in France

2012-01-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

Ceramics 1 from Swaan Produkties on Vimeo.

Love the organic forms and of course I want to work in her studio!!!

Wildlife Park in Scandinavia

2012-01-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

The polar bears rubbing on the boulders, reminds me of Mammoth Rocks in Bodega Bay!

oatmeal bowls

2012-01-05T13:08:00.001-08:00

Here is a picture of my oatmeal and berries bowls. Clear glaze on porcelain with blue glaze and red underglaze.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah

2011-12-25T09:38:00.001-08:00

I'm celebrating both holidays this year. Double the chances for a miracle!

Happy Holidays :)

Lost a best friend

2010-11-15T08:00:00.001-08:00

I had to put my girl down a few weeks ago. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It's been hard to talk about. She had a seizure one week before. Took her to the vet and he didn't find anything. Then a week later she had a much worse one and maybe a stroke also because she couldn't get up. I don't think she knew me at the end or wasn't aware. Just couldn't let her go through that again.

I miss her so much. We were inseparable for 13 years. I still think I see her and automatically call for her. I would love to have another dog but now is not the time.

Misunderstood Mr. W,

2010-09-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

I found this video on of moments of perfect clarity blog and thought I would share. It's on you tube also. A very cleaver way to promote an idea. The Europeans seem to be so far ahead of us in this regard. I hope we can get past our dependence and political stonewalling soon before we dig ourselves into a deeper hole.

(I thought I'd try a different template, but this is clearly not working.)

Bodega Bay

2010-09-02T20:18:00.001-07:00

It was so hot this afternoon, I couldn't get anything done. So I grabbed the dog and drove out to Bodega Bay. And it was 30 degrees cooler! No wonder I like it out there. It's a treat to visit during the week when it isn't so crowded.

Drove out to the breakwater and

visited my favorite galleries, Local Color, Smith & Kirk, and Ren Brown.

Now I have to get back to work. I'm working on a website for a couple of friends new media company, and preparing for a phone interview early next week.

One question, why is it called Spud Point?

Ahhhh, blessed fog!

2010-08-26T17:35:00.001-07:00

OK, so what's with this weather?

Love our natural air conditioning, Fog. The past three days were so hot, triple digits and very low humidity. Today I have an sweatshirt on and am drinking hot tea! Also heard that we may have drizzle this weekend with possible snow showers in the mountains. This is just too wierd for August. Lately I blame everything on global warming or globalization.

A fun bit of trivia, the first spanish expeditions to northern California missed the San Francisco bay due to the fog.

Had a phone interview today and have a in person interview tomorrow. The job sounds good, ecommerce, however the pay is less than what I was making. Supposedly there is room for advancement though.

I'm Back

2010-08-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

Back from a hiatus.

Just after returning from my vacation in April, I learned that my hours were cut. Then a couple of months later I was laid off. Was depressed at first, now just feel like my life is on hold till I find another job.

So I've decided to blog through this experience to give me another creative outlet.

It's a lot of work looking for a job, especially in this economy. I've never seen a job market like this. There are jobs out there however there are so many people looking. I've had a few interviews but no offers. My goal is to send resumes every day and look in multiple sources. I usually work in the morning and evening. Then have a few free hours in the afternoon. Looks like it will be a long haul. I am lucky to have great supportive friends. I need to stop worrying and start using this time wisely.

Here are a couple of pictures of my latest pottery. On the top are high fired porcelain houses (painted with low fire underglazes).

And salt fired teapots. I was working on throwing closed forms and adding the spouts, handles and knobs.

And don't forget my clay rock!

Flat Stanley goes to Hilton Head Island

2010-04-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

Vacation - Hilton Head Island, SC

2010-04-09T08:26:00.001-07:00

Sunrise over the Atlantic, taken from the deck.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, just promised it would be worth it.

This has been going around my facebook friends. I like it. A good thought for the new year :)

A cup of tea

2009-12-13T18:50:00.001-08:00

A cup of tea in my favorite monkey mug!

This mug was made by my friend Phylis. I love her whimsical carving.

Salt Fire

2009-12-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of my latest salt fired pieces. The bowl is handbuild and made from Black Mountain clay. I didn't put any glaze on the piece. The salt becomes the glaze. It also has the "orange peel" effect.

The box was made at the box workshop mentioned in a previous post. I'm not sure what the clay is but it has alot of grog. The color is an ochre color. I hope to make more boxes; similar but with different lids.

Presents

2009-11-29T11:55:00.001-08:00

Aria and I each received a present last week.

I received a beautiful new art journal. Ahh, the possibilities! I think this will become my collage journal.

Thank you R & R.

Aria has a new sleeping bag to get twisted up in. She buries herself for hours. I have to lift a corner to make sure she is still alive.

This picture is for Wesley; Aria's new blog friend.

And another thank you to MJ for following my blog.

Holiday Ornaments

2009-11-08T18:15:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine invited me to join the holiday show at the Smith and Kirk gallery in Bodega Bay. The ornaments on the left are porcelain snowflakes with low fire glazes and engobes. I also have leaves and flowers.

Had a great day talking with my friend at the gallery then took my dog Aria on a long walk on Bird Watch Coastal access trail. I just found this Blog describing the trail.

Box Workshop

2009-10-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

Went to a great pottery workshop building boxes using the hard slab technique. Bill Geisinger lead the workshop. He makes fabulous slab built, wood fired pottery. This is a picture of his wood fired box with a brass lid. Check out his website for more pictures of his pottery and the wood fire kiln.

I've made boxes before but not to this precision. Also learned how to take this form and make other forms such as vases. I've placed many more pictures showing the process on Flickr, under the name of peggyln. Take a look.
This is a picture of a Korean kick wheel. Cool!

Doesn't everyone need a felted pink baret this winter?

2009-10-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Fall Fest at Windrush Farm

2009-09-26T19:28:00.001-07:00

Went to the Fall Festival at Windrush Farm today. It's located in a beautiful rural area of the county. Incredible hand spun and hand dyed yarn for sale. Also demonstrations in how to spin, natural dyes (onions=yellow) and felting. I bought some roving; I love to spin and knit. I find it meditative. Dying, cleaning and carding wool would be too much.

More Pottery

2009-09-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hand built and wheel thrown salt fired. Black Mountain clay

Hand built large salt fired bowl.

Hand built large Salt fired bowl using engobes.

Hand built Pit fired Bowl

What inspires you?

2009-09-10T06:57:00.001-07:00

I started thinking about this question on Malle-Gianattassio's blog. My first answer is everything and anything. But lets get specific.

Being around genuine, loving and positive people inspire me to be a better person.
Nature, such as Lake Tahoe above.
Children, their laughter, expressions and questions.
Dreams
Imagination
Colors
Creating - it's like an addiction, the more I create, the more I need to do so.
Being around thought provoking, creative people.
Pets
Smells, such as pine trees, and fresh clean air
My hands in clay
Yarn
The ocean

What is most important though, is that I am open to the inspiration. If I'm worrying about my problems, then I miss it.

Slow Going

2009-09-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

This is the most complicated piece I've ever knitted and it's just a scarf. Its called Falling leaves. I'm about half way through. I fell in love with this yarn; coral mohair. I found the pattern in the book, Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders.

Flying Nun

2009-09-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this picture. Aria at doggie camp. Her ears must slow her descent.

Cactus Sculpture

2009-08-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

These cactus are out side the pottery studio. How long have I walked by without really looking at them. This time though they looked so sculptural to me.

Morning Nap

2009-08-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

We went to the vet this week for her annual visit. She must have had 16 cookies; I lost count. Vet says she is perfect and doing very well for a 14 year old dog. This last year she has started to show her age. She has slowed down but can still run like the wind in spurts. She is now partially deaf. Vet told me to stomp my feet when I come home and use hand signals . Funny though, she seems to hear the word "carrot". Maybe she lip reads

Family Visit

2009-08-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

Just got home from a short visit with my family. It was my Dad's 82nd birthday. People ask how does it feel and he says he doesn't know; he's never been 82 before. I'm glad he is doing so well; happy, healthy, and enjoying life.

This is a picture of my Dad and niece bonding over chicken wings! They didn't leave many for the rest of us.

My family lives in Southern California, in a beach town. I forgot how much cooler it is, more humid and foggy than where I live. Even the weather brought back memories. Aria came with me. She is a good traveler. Sits in the back seat, looking out the window, like a passenger. Though she doesn't give any warning when she needs a pit stop!

I also visited with a friend from high school who was in town the same weekend. She lives in another state. We keep in contact via phone, email and now Facebook but haven't' seen each other in many years. It was great to hang out and reminisce. It's also great to know someone for almost 40 years. We've changed and yet we haven't. We met in our high school senior year and couldn't wait to get on with our lives. I'm now happy to take life at a slower pace. I like getting older. I wish I looked like I did when I was younger but I am so much happier, not so self-conscience or worried about the future. I like feeling secure enough in myself to be able to care more for others.

My Reading List

2009-07-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

Oprah has posted her summer reading list. It is a list of 25 books. She also has another list of 10 more books. I suppose someone who doesn't do much else could read 25 books in a summer; it would be a little more than 2 books a week. I'll be happy if I finish one or two books this summer.

Below is my book list I hope to finish in the next few years (in no particular order)

Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt
World Without End - Ken Follett
Jazz - Toni Morrison
Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston
Saving Fish From Drowning - Amy Tan
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austin
Daughter of Fortune - Isabel Allende
Little Dorrit - Charles Dickens
Founding Mothers - Cokie Roberts
In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan
The World Without Us - Alan Weisman
We Were the Mulvaneys - Joyce Carol Oates
The Shipping News - E. Annie Proulx
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Snow Falling on Cedars - David Guterson
While I Was Gone - Sue Miller
Switch - Bill Bayer

My Life in France

2009-07-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

I'm reading My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme. Great book, reading it makes me want to learn french and make sauces. She was such a joyful and passionate person; can't help but be inspired.

You tube video of Julia making an omlette here

Greenstring Farm

2009-07-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

A big thanks to Hylla for the complements on my blog and for her order of tea cups. Check out her website here. She is a wonderful encaustic painter.

We frequent the same organic farm, Greenstring. The picture includes onions, garlic, organic eggs and dried sweet peppers, that smell wonderful. Looks like a good frittata, doesn't it. I've also included one of my micaceous clay pots.

Will post more later about the farm when the luscious tomatoes are available.

Back at Tortuga

2009-07-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Back at Tortuga again after taking a break. Good to be back and I'm glad I took a break. Good to be back with my friends and the creative energy. I joined this pottery studio in 1993 and have been there every week save a few months break. It's like a second home for me. There are a few people who have been there longer. We have watched each other grow up. Its a special place and we love new people also. They bring in new ideas and energy.

Latest Ceramic Work

2009-07-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some pottery pieces I made before I took a break.

High fire hand built tea cups

Wood fire sushi plates and wasabi bowls
High fire and low fire houses

The studio opens again this week. Still not sure what I'm going to work on. I'm thinking of porcelain pieces with drawings using glaze pencils.

The Core Values of Art

2009-06-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Art and play are the same practice.

Art is life - Life is Art. Create the type that makes you deeply happy.

To succeed, allow difficulties to grow and change into self-directed persistence by watering your own root. Persistence is the key to success. Your only job is to remain engaged in creative work.

Master self doubt. It is the only force that can keep you imprisoned. There is never a right way to do art.

Begin again. The magic gifts of your creative output await you and the world. Imagine if VanGogh would have given up.

Just paint. Everything you need will follow. Markets always exist and pay well for truthful art from your heart. Believe me!

Practice stepping away and seeing from every possible angle and perspective. This is where you will find the freedom to grow. Try to suspend time. Develop self-compassion.

Find mentors who can't possibly teach you what they know in your lifetime and spend infinite time by their sides.

Encouragement is the key.

Excerpt from Carole Watanabe's book, The Ecstatic Marriage of Life and Art.

In Progress

2009-06-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

I hope to finish these in the next couple of weeks.

Equal Time

2009-06-21T12:00:00.001-07:00

ISIS

Her full name is Isisgloria. When I first got her I couldn't decide which name to give her so she got both. She is 16 years old, 6 pounds and has only a couple of teeth left. But that doesn't stop her from eating dry food or her favorite chews.

She is not a sweet cat, except with me. In fact many of my friends have never seen her. She hides anytime someone comes over. What she lacks in size, she makes up in attitude. She D E S P I S E S Aria. Attacks her whenever she sees fit. Aria deserves it sometimes but not always. We have a battle every morning, who gets to go out first. I just open the door and let them battle it out.

Monster Dog Strikes Again

2009-06-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Don't let this face fool you.

So I'm in the back of the house ironing my shirt for work and I hear noises in the kitchen. My first thought is that Aria is into something but I'm sure that I didn't leave anything out on the counter. Wrong! She ate my entire salad! I didn't put the top on after I put the dressing (Raspberry vinaigrette) on it.

It was a good salad, spinach, roasted cauliflower, tomato, cucumber, onion, avocado, almonds, soy meatless something or other, and blue cheese.

She ate it all. Not a spec left. You would have thought it was a clean container except it was on the floor and she was standing over it, licking her chops looking like she wanted more!

Anyone who knows Weimaraners, knows they have boundless energy, an insatiable appetite, and are very loyal and loving. She is 14 years old and is just now starting to act like a normal dog, or so I thought.

BTW, I had cottage cheese for lunch. She would have like that too.

My desk at work

2009-06-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

I work for a high end upholstery and drapery editor. I work in Product Development; working with the owner of the company creating two collections a year. Right now I am working on the September 2009 collection and the two collections for next year. Needless to say I am overloaded with samples of fabric. I'd like to organize, but if I move anything, my boss will freak.

I thought I would post some artsy shot of beautiful fabric. But then I thought you should see reality. Here are a couple of photos of my desk. And this is a good day. I can find the phone!

2009-06-09T18:02:00.000-07:00

So last night while working on our encaustic paintings, we were discussing memorable visits to the dentist. And Sue says "On my deathbed I will say 'At least I won't have to go to the dentist anymore.'"

I am still laughing!

Birthday Present

2009-06-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hey look at this.

Spanish yarn from real spanish sheep. Beautiful colors of deep purple and lime green. All you knit is Love. Interesting the way they wrap a skein; I have no idea how much yarn is here. Lately I've been felting anything that isn't nailed down and this is 100% wool. I wonder what I should make?

Many Thanks

2009-06-06T20:36:00.001-07:00

to sillyak for adding this blog to his links. Check out his caboose restoration pictures and the jack in the beanstalk cactus!

More Vacation Pictures

2009-05-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

I intended to post these pictures last week when I returned home. But promptly caught a cold. And then came down with the worst case of pink eye I have ever had. I couldn't go out in public; I felt like a leper. My boss was the funniest. I went to work, asked if she wanted me to go home because I was still contagious. She handed me a package of anti-bacterial wipes and said "Go to your office and don't touch anything." OK, no problem.

Our hosts, my cousin and her husband.

More cousins, second and third cousins. Dad, do you recognize these two?

A view of the house from the beach. It's for sale. Asking price is 4+ million, and needs alot of work. Lots of leaks and needs an upgrade. But the view is what you are paying for.

The View

2009-05-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of our ocean view from the deck. We've had a couple of thunderstorms come through but they haven't lasted long. Wish I could get good pictures of the dolphins. Everyday we see many swimming along the breaker line. Mostly see their fins and backs. Also fun to watch the birds diving into the ocean.

2009-05-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Girls Like Us

2009-05-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Just finished a great book, Girls Like Us, by Sheila Weller. The girls are Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and Carole King; their lives, loves and music. Brings back lots of memories for anyone who grew up in the 60's & 70's and listened to their music. I lived in an apartment in Southern California with three other high school friends. We worked, went to college and partied! What's wonderful is that we are still in contact. The place was named Kilnhouse after the Fleetwood Mac album. Those were my Chelsea mornings. Now I listen to my MP3 player and talk to my friends on Facebook, I recycle and look at food labels for fat and sugar content. Who knew?

The Pink House

2009-05-07T06:26:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd show my latest encaustic painting. It's not finished yet, but you can see where I am going. I'm learning how to create texture and shading in wax. There will be three of these in different colors. I've used encaustic wax, oil crayon and oil paint on wood.

B & E Parade

2009-05-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of the Butter and Eggs Parade. We do take our chickens seriously!

Welcome to Peggy ln

2009-04-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Well, finally!

I've read blogs for several years now and I love the interconnectedness. I care about what happens to my blog friends. So now I'm starting my own blog. Mostly to keep my friends and family current and to share thoughts, musings, pictures, and more.

The banner is a picture of my first finished Encaustic painting. Cupcakes

I'm part of a weekly group painting encaustics. We are learning as we go. Watch out for women with blow torches! Great fun!

Here's a link for the definition of Encaustics, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encaustic_painting

More later; I'm off to the Butter and Eggs parade...