Summer 2018

March 3, 2022 Terrie MacDonald

What an amazing summer I’ve had! Full of great travel, people, and great experiences.

It started with a great trip to Nashville for the Red Handed Symposium. During that trip we also crossed the Smokey Mountains into North Carolina. The mountains are so beautiful, and a little scarey to drive sometimes. We spent three days in Asheville so I could visit Penland School, explore the vibrant art scene in Asheville and also visit the studio of Michael Kline. Meeting Michael was a highlight for me! I love his work and was able to add a few more pieces to my collection. We use his pieces everyday and they make me so happy! Micheal is an accomplished and inspiring person to so many Potters, yet humble and generous with his time and knowledge.

Michael Kline’s studio in North Carolina. Notice those beautiful big pots of his on the porch!

I’d have to say that pursuing something that makes you, and hopefully others, happy is the whole point of choosing a life of creating. There are compromises, that’s for sure, but living with and making stuff is a pretty sweet way to live.

Another exciting thing we did this summer (not clay related!) was to sail our 28’ Aloha around Prince Edward County. This was the second time we have done this, but the first time was a bit of a disaster which left me with a badly sprained ankle, but that’s another story. This year we had no injuries, just pure summer fun. We met up with the Presquille Yacht Club at Waupoos and enjoyed a few days of good company, swimming off the boat (the water is pure, clear and warm), lots of beautiful walks, and visits to the local winery.

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Red Handed

June 14, 2018 Terrie MacDonald

After a short delay (had to replace windshield on our car and wait six hours for it to dry) we finally set off for our adventure in Nashville so I could attend the Red Handed Symposium. A conference focused on low fire and red clay is just up my alley plus three of the four presenters are hand builders! It took us two days of driving, my poor dog Roxy had no idea a car ride could be so long. she did have a comfy bed in the back but that only goes so far!

The symposium was held at the Clay Lady’s Campus, a series of industrial buildings converted into part school, part studio space, gallery and shop. It was the perfect location for our presenters, Liz Zlot, Marty Fielding, Ronan Peterson and Amy Saunders. Opening remarks by Linda Arbuckle kicked off the weekend.

The weekend proved to be inspiring, informative, and friendly in an intimate setting that made everyone feel comfortable to ask questions and contribute to discussions. All the presenters jam packed their time with thorough demonstration and excellent discussions. I was particularly taken with Ronan Peterson. His playful creative energy and love of making was palpable and infectious.

Some of Ronan Peterson’s work on display.

All in all it was a great weekend and worth the extra long drive to get there!

Have a great day, Terrie

Hard to believe.....

May 16, 2018 Terrie MacDonald

I don’t know what’s happening to me but I’m actually on schedule for a change. Usually when I have a show I’m scrambling to the very last minute to finish glazing work and unload it the morning of the show. It’s usually a frantic late night kinda deal. This week my last kiln load is firing and I have time to take pictures and pack up in a less crazy pace. Maybe I’ll even have time to relax. Wait .....no......I have gardening to do! Does gardening count as relaxing!?!

This weekend I’ll be at Warkworth Art in the Park. It’s a lovely little show close to where I live. Great art of all kinds, music and food. It would be great to see you if you are in the neighbourhood.

Warkworth Art in the Park

some of the pieces I’ll have at the show.

Have a a great day,

Terrie

Suddenly a hive of activity

April 25, 2018 Terrie MacDonald

It seems like a cold slow spring is making its way to these parts. Finally! I’m itching to get my hands in the garden but I know it’s too early. As usual we have lots of outdoor projects, too many to accomplish really, and I know we will suddenly be inundated with activity. Garden, new patio, sailboat ....to name a few!

This is the swan nesting in the bulrushes near where we keep our sailboat.

Classes have been well underway at the studio. We’ve had lots of fun making cups and bowls from templates and darting the bottoms to alter the shape. You can see some of them in the photo below, some still waiting to be glazed.

We also used cabbage leafs to impress texture into clay slabs for building bowls. This proved to be a popular project with both classes.

glazed cabbage leaf bowls waiting for the final glaze firing.

A new session of classes begin June 5th if you are interested in trying your hand at it. We all need a break from the garden now and then. Visit my ‘Learn’ page for more information.

Keep thinking spring thoughts...

Terrie

Slowed but not stopped

January 20, 2018 Terrie MacDonald

January is a slow time in the studio but the work has not completely stopped. Whenever the temperature is reasonable I spend the day making a few new pieces and refining some new ideas. I heat my studio with a wood stove which has its challenges when it’s really cold. When it’s minus 25 Celsius the stove can only do so much! It’s been that cold for the past month so keeping it from freezing everything is what I worry about. However the last few days have been pleasantly mild, snow is melting, birds are singing and the kiln is on!

Roxy and I have been having some nice walks the past few days. The otters are around at the lock, lots of track marks show their presence!

River otter tracks at the lock on Haig’s Reach

I think they must fish at the open water when the weather is good.

So today while the kiln is firing I’ve been drafting my first ever sewing pattern, the Boxy Tee. I read a great tutorial by Cal Patch on how to do it which I found on A Verb For Keeping Warm blog. Cal takes you through each step of taking measurements of your body to create the pattern and how to alter the design to make inset side panels and pockets!

my finalized pattern with seam allowance added

I raided my fabric stash and found some beautiful oatmeal linen and I’m going to incorporate some other linen which I Eco dyed/printed with plants from my garden.

Feeling the linen and seeing the imprints of flowers and leafs makes me dream of warmer times to come. In the meantime I must go out turn my kiln up and throw another log on the fire.

cheers all, terrie

Life on the Reach

December 3, 2017 Terrie MacDonald

My days begin with a walk with my dog Roxy. In the colder weather I light a fire in my studio before we venture out. I feel pretty lucky that I'm able to live my life in a beautiful part of the country and enjoy the changing seasons along the Trent River.

That’s Roxy way up there on the lock walkway

Although we often walk the same route there are endless discoveries. I love noticing the differences each day brings.

My hope is to share with you life on Haig’s Reach, inside and outside the studio, the discoveries and differences each day brings in my work and my walks!

Have a great day, Terrie