New creamer and mug

Last night I threw a large creamer and a large mug.

This evening, I turned them and added handles. Ta-da. They are typical of my style with throwing marks and curvy profile. 

In the mean time, Pearl the whippet slept and dreamt. She sleeps about 23 hours a day with legs sticking out like this!

Baby alpaca socks and sample faces

Baby alpaca undyed socks. A birthday present from Mike. They were redelivered today because it was initially delivered on Saturday when we were absent.

Like so many husbands on the planet, Mike has no idea what I want, so I request something twice a year, to relieve his agony. This year, I saw these socks on a magazine, and fancied one pair for myself. They only used baby alpaca fleece, it says. When Mike read this, he said 'Oh, they plucked baby alpaca to make these!'. I hope not, I hope they sheared.

Alpaca socks

Unlike so many husbands, he wants to buy more than one, perhaps to show that he really wanted to give his wife a gift, but didn't know what to give, so now he knows what I want, he can give me two pairs or three, or even all colours available. I stopped him. I like to try a pair first. I hope they will warm up my icy cold feet at night.

This is one of my recent test pieces for new clay and new underglaze. It looks fine, but I know that at the firing, the kiln didn't reach high for this, so I probably need another test.   

This is another one that I am using for my avatar. They are much larger than my face accessory series.

I am wondering I could use them for decorations. Perhaps hanging form the wall, or Christmas tree?  

   

Before bisque firing

Birthday cards!

Card from Mimi

Thank you, Mimi!

My old friend Mimi sent me a birthday card from Japan. It is so sweet. She always sent me really cute cards. She said, when she saw this card in a shop, she knew it must be the one for this year, as she knew that I was making lots of rabbits.

Group photo

I got one from mike's brother, too. Another sweet one. So you wonder what kind of card did I get from Mike?

Silence

Ehem, he decided to make one for me, a special one for his dearest wife. He was doodling in the bed last night. Sketches? Wanna see?

Mike said this is a chameleon.

He said this is a frog.

His parrot was much better. It looked like one. The deadline for submission was extended to the end of next Sunday because he said he would need practices. So, I will report on this when he gives me the final one.

In the past I have made several handmade 'cards' for him. My favourite one was for his birthday in 2004. I made from petals, leaves and stalks in the garden on our white floor tiles, while he was out shopping. I also gave him a wreath to wear!

On Mike's birthday in 2004

in 2009, I painted the scenery of Oare marsh in Japanese ink. One day Pearl the whippet found it and literally chewed it up, and swallowed it ... tears.

ZZZ...Japanese ink was yummy....

I was happily turning the creamer that I threw yesterday during my lunch break with the melody and tempo of Blondie's 'Dreaming', .... when I thought I almost finished, the bottom part sank. Ah-oh. The clay was too soft for turning. Mike's bowls turned out to be too thick. So all went back to a clay bucket. We will soon need a bigger one, at this rate.

Blue sky, Birthday lunch and throwing

Finally, blue sky! It lifts our spirit. Mike started morning with throwing. Well, actually he did dog walking, put laundry on twice and then throwing, hahaha. He threw two medium size bowls.

David Austin's rose.

There are three golden yellow roses opened, and autumn crocuses are enjoying themselves in November sunshine.I like golden yellow, which gives me energy and optimism.

 

We had a table booked at our favourite restaurant ABode for my birthday lunch at twelve. I had wild mushroom soup, roast of Kentish beef with horse radish sauce, and Catalonian custard with orange ice cream. The red wine they chose for me was very good with the beef. Mike had also the soup, then fillet of coley, and his desert was and carrot cake. Espresso was accompanied with macaroons. It was delicious. Oh, by the way, their bread is really good. I think the best in the town. My main course was too much for me even though I donated cauliflower and Yorkshire pudding to Mike. I am skipping dinner this evening. Mike is already looking at their Christmas menu online! He really wanted to read it out for me, but I am too full to think about food this evening.

The creamer

In late afternoon, I also started throwing. I haven't thrown for months, and two attempts went back to a clay bucket. But the third one became what I wanted to make. A creamer. I sold a creamer that two ladies wanted in Open House. So I am trying to make at least one for KAE Christmas sale, on the 27th November. While I was throwing, lovely Elaine came to collect 'The Sun'. It was very nice to talk with her again.

Visit to Turner Contemporary

Mike, our friend, Margarita and I went to Turner Contemporary at Margate this morning. Mike found in the paper that the Queen and Prince Philip visited there yesterday. He was reading it loud to me, when local artist, Tracey Emin greeted the Queen, she asked her "Do you exhibit internationally, as well as in Margate?”


This is the largest gallery nearest to our house, and I am avid gallery & museum goer, We decided that we come anytime they change exhibitions. It is about 30 minutes by car. So we decided to give our friend is interested in contemporary art a ride anytime we come here.

Dreamland car park

Unused jet coaster rails

Mike found this car park in his most genius way. Dreamland was apparently once an amusement park, but now unused and derelict. We could see rusty jet coaster rails in the distance.

Approaching to Turner Contemporary

Last time when we came, it was a glorious day with blue sky. Today we have no such a good luck.

'Welcome, Margarita, Mike and Midori!'

But when I found this large seagull chick was waiting for us next to the gallery, my heart suddenly brightened up. I love birds! What a pretty pattern she has got!

Here is Rodin's 'The Kiss'. This one is quite large. I have seen other 'The Kiss' over the years. This one reflected in the infinite mirrors, appeared to me to have added another dimension. My applaud to the curator.

This is the first floor at the landing. 'The Kiss' and this part are only exhibits we are allowed to take photographs of.

Mike and Margarita looking out grey sea.

There are much more exhibits this time than the last time. Theme is 'youth'. I quite liked off-beat 'On the balcony' by Peter Blake.

I also liked a large portrait of a blond girl, but forgot the name of the artist. Let me know if you know.

There are some big names too. A Hockney, (I like the colours), Henry Moore, of course, several small Turners, etc. An elderly lady watching a small Moore's sculpture, 'Girl with clasped hands', turned back and whispered to me, 'It's Henry Moore'. Then we discussed why the sculpture looks very masculine, and exchanged our opinions on her hair style. I like Turner Contemporary's this casual atmosphere. I think it is very much the style of this corner of Kent.

Another view of 'The Kiss'.

A nice display.

A plaque I found at the entrance. 

After lunch at the cafe, we were going to trot back to dreamland car park. Then I found this dog waiting for his owner. The flags were for the Queen's visit. There were still here and there.

'Master, are you coming back yet?'

More flags

When I was younger, I was a sort of classical old painting loving girl. I have spent most of my holiday abroad visiting galleries and museums. I have been to most of the best ones in the world, except for Boston and Hermitage, as well as small exquisite ones.

As I get older, I started having more interest in contemporary art. I like to see something I have never seen. I love to be surprised. I like to know how other people see world.

Our day out is usually schedule with our dog walking routine. We had to come home by about three. Once back home, we walked dogs, fed parrots, checked on Mochacino the lonely finch, and Pupmkin the chicken, and then dashed out to town for errands. We went to Madame Oiseau, our favourite chocolaterie for my birthday (next Monday!), a bank (already closed) and a super to do grocery.

When we came back, my calves were tight. Getting old...? I need a couple of nights to digest what I have seen in Margate.