Official opening at Spencer Cameron Art Gallery

Tis the season to be jolly...

Rosie, the owner of the Spencer Cameron Art Gallery, moi, Carla Astaphan of The Potter's House, Leonie of Glass Island, Leonie of Sugar Mill Gallery, Lorenza Southwell who manns the shop daily, and The Crafthouse staffer were all on hand for Rosie's traditional year end party and opening of the new initiative at this location. The permanent display of art, pottery, glass and other crafts at the old Georgian styled building on Independance Square, in Basseterre, St. Kitts better known as Spencer Cameron Art Gallery. The doors were thrown open on Saturday 12 December 2009 from midday so that friends and well-wishers, many of whom have been on Rosie's list of invitees for years could mill through the space, chat, enjoy, admire and hopefully buy the works on display. It was a fairly successsful activity. And many visitors gave encouraging words for the future of this enterprise, while others also showed their support through the actual purchase of pieces.

One of the main topics of discussion was the beehive which has developed in the roof of the upstairs of the building. It was been inspected by the local bee guru. There is a pane of clear glass over it, so there are no bees flying around....although a note has been posted on the wall to warn visitors.

An array of tasty h'orderves were served, along with popular local Chrismas drink of Sorrel, rum punch, wine and a tasting of a creamy liquer by a local company, Rams. There was also a cash bar.

The party ended at just about 6.30pm. An exhausting but profitable and enjoyable exercise!!!

The Potter's House display at Caribbean Home Expo 2009

At my booth during the expo.
Visitors to my booth appreciating the items.
A grouping of three votive candle holders in red,green and yellow with black designs.
The green vase
Incense oil burner
I played with a new design on a group of three plates various sizes.
nesting set of bowls

Oh great eyes! Vase red, green and yellow

I followed my instincts and decided to concentrate mainly on candleholders in three different sizes as a set. Thanks to an idea given to me last year by Lynn Nelson. As it turned out, my booth was next to a wonderful lady from St. Maarten who makes candles. She quite liked the pieces and encouraged her mom, who, like her owns a shop on St. Maarten. Between the two of them they took most of my pieces, especially the votive candle holders.

Caribbean Home Expo, St. Martin/St. Maarten

Tonight, I am flying to St. Maarten to attend the Caribbean Home Expo, 2009 which will open tomorrow, Friday 13th November 2009 at Sonesta Maho Beach Convention Center.

I am fully prepared, packed and ready to have a good showing at CHE 2009....well i.e. if all my pieces arrive in good shape.

The OECS_EDU office in Dominica, was instrumental in securing funding for their client companys who were willing to attend this expo. I decided to do the show on the heels of attending Expo Caguas because I am familiar with this show having attended the premier show in 2006. I found it fairly successful and I feel now is a good time to return. I made a few friends and contacts and it will be great to reestablish those links.

Here's hoping for the best!

Artists unite at Spencer Cameron Building, 10 North Independance Square

Rosie Cameron opened The Spencer Cameron Art Gallery, nearly thirty years ago with friend and fellow artist Kate Spencer. After a couple moves, Rosie bought a building at the heart of St. Kitts historic district on North Independence Square. At this location, a fine example of Georgian architecture which boasts a two storey wooden structure with a solid stone cellar, she has shown not only her work but that of many other local and regional artists.

Now, years after operating solely, she has decided the time has come to share this location with other artists and artisans. She first spoke with me about it earlier this year, 2009. We met quite a few times and honestly, at times I wondered whether this would work. In large part this would be a great move both on her part and that of the artists given the economic times facing the globe today. So using the well know mantra UNITY IS STRENGTH, we are forging ahead. We look forward to many of our visitors and locals, finding us there.

Rosie will continue to show her works of art on the top floor of the building.

Glass Island, who produces art using glass fusion embraced the initiative. Leonie, a former employee, now owner believes in the ability of her product to attract clients to its new location on the first floor at Spencer Cameron Building.

Sugar Mill Gallery, owned by local artist Leonie Warner-Young, also moved into a room nearby. Paintings, ceramics and pottery by Leonie, as well paintings by her friend Sally will be available.

Sandwiched between the aforementioned two, is yours truly, Carla Astaphan, who finally decided that The Potter’s House Gallery, at the beautifully finished pottery pieces it is known for, will definitely be a great addition to this venture.

The St. Kitts Crafthouse which produces a variety of craft will set up a retail outlet on the top floor next to Spencer Cameron gallery.

Well, with a couple spaces still available we may see an artist or two, maybe a small café at Spencer Cameron Building.

See you there!!

Carla Astaphan
Potter/ writer/Coldwellbanker Sales Associate

The joy of making pottery

I have spent quite alot of time, this past week and a half, producing pottery. I feel a sense of calm as I go through the process of preparing the clay. I place a couple huge mounds of clay on my wedging board, then I begin wedging. My mind drifts off..sometimes, I notice the sounds of the ocean, waves crashing on the beach not to far away....I can hear the wind russellin through the leaves of the palm trees in both mine and the neighbour's yard. in the distance. My thoughts drift to my things that are impacting my life. I allow the thoughts to come and go as I enter into a rythmn with hands, body, clay and board. It's a consistent rocking back and forth as clay hits the board over and over again. I am in my own world! When the clay is at a point where I can feel, through experience, that it is ready, I then proceed to my potter's wheel to 'throw' a few pieces. Depending on the time of day, I wrap the clay if airtight plastic bags and I head downtown to my new gallery space. Once I am settled, I sit with clay and press molds at hand, and I begin pressing pieces. I get lost in the activity. Though much easier than throwing, when the pieces have reached leatherhard stage, I have to spend time carving and cleaning them. The feeing I get upon completion of my work, regardless of the technique, is one of pure joy.....that's a welcome feeling and one I should continue to capture alot more! The peace and joy of pottery making!

Carla Astaphan

Pottery, rum and pepper sauce at Caguas expo 2009

http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/11531

The season is fast approaching

The season is fast approaching. Am I ready?

We are in October and the visitor season, i.e. cruise ship and stayover visitors will begin the seasonal trek to these islands, escaping the wintery cold of the northern hemisphere, to enjoy sea, sand, sun and lots of fun. We the islanders, who depend on that time of year to put much needed pennies in our coffers, have been preparing avidly for this time. The hotels, restaurants and bars have been doing maintenance work, their staff has taken their summer holiday to return revived for another hectic season. Taxi drivers and tour operators are ready, artists and artisans would have been producing as much stock as possible. This is the island's time to make revenue.

Yesterday, I had an interesting discussion with one of my fellow vendors in the craftmarket at the Marriott. We were talking about the pending season and our readiness for it. Personally, I feel like I'm ready but still I am nervous as to how ready I am. Do I have enough raw materials to sustain my production this season..... I have yet to place my order for clay and glazes from my normal suppliers. I do have a reasonable supply...but, what will happen if I get a huge order. I have already received an inquiry for a price on an item of which, if I get the order, I will have to produce 650 pieces...(I am envisioning getting this order, it will be a first of that size..oui bon dieu! as we say in Dominica...but I will get it done, thankfully I already know a few persons who will be able to help me produce...thanks to the St. Kitts Crafthouse for hosting a pottery workshop this past year, a couple people are have done well enough on the potter's wheel to help me produce, if needs be, also I've decided I will order clay through The Crafthouse thus saving myself some of the hassle) I am also looking at what I currently produce and what new items will sell. I am wondering do I have enough of the items that do in fact sell? To help me I am going to make a list of things I need to make this week. This is crunch time for me. After the expo last week in Puerto Rico my mind is full of new ideas. I've just completed a sketch for an item a potential client in Puerto Rico asked me to do. I first have to create a sample. Yes, I tend to work well under pressure, so first thing tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn and at intervals through out the day, I'll be on the potter's wheel, then I'll do some handbuilding and press some masks. Oh, yes I must do that, press some of my masks (I use my own original molds). I had an inquiry yesterday for masks. Two wonderful ladies came to my table at the Marriott, it turns out they own a number of stores, including one in St. Kitts. Each store carries a different type of merchandise. They are interested in my tribal masks for a store in the northern Caribbean..and yes, I am out of those right now, I have no idea how that happened...guess I had some good sales for masks and relief carving over the summer.

So did I say I am ready.....I am NOT!!!! I feel nervous, anxious and frightened but it's a feeling I recognise... I have felt it before so I know what I need to do....I'll just do it!!!

Expo Caguas in Puerto Rico (cuopm link)

http://www.cuopm.com/newsitem.asp?articlenumber=1005&post200803=true

Expo Caguas in Puerto Rico

I am here in Puerto Rico about to rush of for the opening of the grand Expo Caguas 2009. I'll keep you updated. Got to run!!!

So it's day 1 of the Expo Caguas here in Puerto Rico. I rushed out earlier (actually this morning) because the bus was here to take us to Centro de Bellas Artes Center. The Potter's house is part of the OECS contingent of manufacturers displaying products here at the Expo.

Upon my arrival in PR yesterday, we were taken to the Center and I immediately did my booth setup. I had packed two boxes of some of the work I produced over the last few months. I think it was a good cross section of work from both myself and my partner. I was a bit afraid that I would have a skimpy display but as it turns out the space assigned to me was much smaller than I anticipated, or should I say what I expected.

Today was generally interesting. The opening ceremony was short and impressive. The Prime Minister of St. Kitts-Nevis is also here. Actually we sat almost next to each other on the flight over to PR. He and the Mayor of San Caguas visited all the booths immediately after the formal opening ceremony. He seemed very impressed with my booth set-up and my work in general. He happily showed me off to the Mayor...something about being St. Kitts famous Potter...

I met with a Puerto Rican Potter who is doing some fantastic work. I will post his website later and say a bit more. Right now I am going to have a well needed soak in the hotel pool, then I amm of to a reception where the SKN Prime Minister is to give a feature address. Just decided to stop at the PC to share here!!

Carla

Spencer Cameron Art Gallery Building, St. Kitts

Spencer Cameron Art Gallery Building

The new home of The Potter's House on 10 North Independance Square, at the heart of Basseterre's historic district. You will find our alley type gallery sandwiched between Glass Island and Sugar Mill Gallery. The formal opening is yet to be decided but we have opened our doors for business. I give thanks!!

ready...set...go

Okay. I am writing tonite to ease my way to punching these keys to say something which may or may not make sense.

In the last week I have had to opportunity to spend time glazing pottery. I had two successful glaze firings which I did up at The Crafthouse. Yes St. Kitts has a place to 'fire' up pottery. So.... having moved house and studio, I didn't have to worry about getting my work completed. In the weeks prior to moving, I made as much pottery as possible. I think I did about two bisque firings before leaving my old studio at Camps. I knew from past experieince that moving would lose me time getting my kiln set up. At some point the idea hit me to call the GM at The Crafthouse and ask about the cost of firing a kiln load. The price was quite affordable. Then I had another brainwave.....why not take all the bisque pottery to The Crafthouse and do the process of designing and glazing the pottery there. So I did! I spent three days designing and glazing the pottery, to fill the two loads. I am so relieved that I now have some new pieces to show. I must give thanks to a little lady from Canada, who came to visit the island and somehow found me...she said she has read 'all' about me...so I guess she read this blog too....anyway 'Jewel' thanks for the time you spent assiting me and for the new designs you were able to add to my existing collection. Now I am set to go! I sell again, to produce again, to be creative!!!

A new beginning

I woke up this morning to the beautiful site of the sun, shedding it's first light over the horizon. Looking at the powerful glow of orangy red and bright golden yellow against the cloudy early morning, gave me a burst of energy to carry me through the day. I have been able to enjoy both the sun and the moon in their glory. Nature is doing it's thing without being asked, it's always on time and always perfect. Can I accomplish that? To woke without being asked. There is much I need to accomplish today. It's the first day of the new academic year. Baby Stara is donning her crisp new uniform for the very first time in her life. She is entering nursery 2 at the Mcknight daycare. Kande, my 12 year old is off to 2nd form at the Washington Archibald High School. The batteries in my camera died so I have no photos to show of how gorgeous they looked at this time.

I will have time on my hands to begin setting up my gallery, The Potter's House at it's new location - Spencer Cameron Building - on North Independance square in Basseterre. But first, I have had no access to internet since I moved and I do hope that it will be installed soon, I have so missed checking my emails and blogging.

I am looking forward to getting back to making pottery. I'll continue to share with you as much as I can.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support.

Change is a must...We are moving!!!

In Febuary of 1999, I started 'The Potter's House' on the West Bay road, here in Basseterre, St. Kitts. I had been making pottery since 1993 and used the name 'Pottery Creations by Carla'. Ever since I began making pottery I worked from home. I moved to Camps Estate House in 2004. I just realised that major change came at a five year interval. So now five years later , I am going through the biggest change both on a personal and career level. What do I do? The time has come to move. It was extremely difficult to find the right place. I wanted to grab at anyplace where I could continue as I always had...live, work and play! The universe was demanding that I change and I tried my best to continue as always. Well, I have finally given in to the natural course of things. I have found a place to live. My daughters and I will be living in a place which is quiet but the view and the sound of the ocean is exactly what my soul requires. I am happy that I will live for a while in such a place.

Careerwise, I will be moving The Potter's House to Spencer Cameron Building on West Independance Square, at the heart of St. Kitts historic district. I will be working and displaying my pottery in one of the rooms on the first floor of the building. Other artisans and artists, including Rosie Cameron herself, Glass Island are already occupying some of the rooms in the Building. I think Rosie Cameron has hit on a great idea to get some of us under one roof. I gave this alot of thought. Sometimes I wanted to do it and other times I didn't. Tonight, as I sat on the verandah, breathing in the clean, fresh evening air, I received the message loud and clear that this is what I should do and this is how to do it. So I am doing it! I am making the change! I have been packing for days now. And Steve has been using the jeep to move the boxes into my new home. By next week Tuesday I will be fully installed there. Hopefully, I will be able to focus on setting up the gallery space within the next couple weeks, so as to be ready for the upcoming visitor season.

Early this morning, we fired up the kiln at this location for the last time. Both Steve and I had worked on creating pieces over the last couple weeks. He packed the kiln and fired it up. By late this afternoon the firing was complete. We will be packing, dismantling, moving and reinstalling over the next few days...I may be out of touch due to untility transfers. I'll be back as soon as possible.

Peace and thanks for all you who have supported my in my search.

Finding a new place to house, The Potter's House

In late January, the owners of the house where I am currently located came to see me, to let me know that it was time to vacate the premises...and thus began my search for a new home.

It hasn't been an easy task, finding a place to house me, my children and The Potter's House. Will I get the opportunity again, to live, work and play.

I found a house in February, it would have been okay, but I didn't see anyplace where I could work, so I asked the owner if I could build a place in the yard. He told me he had another place which he was refurbishing and said that would be better for me. The thing is he couldnt begin the process of refurbishing immediately. I didn't mind because we were in the height of the visitor season and moving immediately would be disastrous for my business. I had already told the owners that I would move around April if that was okay with them. That decision however, caused me to change my mind many times over the next few months. Did I want to live in that area. Should I build my own house. I started the search for other options. I came to the decision that I should look to owning my own place. I always wanted one of those Greenheart homes which I had seen in Dominica. I did some research online and found a company who constructs these homes. I realised this could be completed in a short time. I was able to secure a piece of land in April. I soon realised that owning my own property would not be as easy as I envisaged. I contacted the owner of the house had looked at earlier in the year. He told me he was still in the process of refurbishing, but as soon as it is ready, I would get the house. In the meantime, I have kept looking just in case. And especially since, the hurricane season was at hand....the house leaks terribly. I found a small ground level apartment about fifteen minute drive out into the countryside. After some discussion with my family I decided to explore other options and during that time the apartment went to someone else. I received a letter from the lawyers for 'this' house giving me a deadline by which to move. I now HAD to move. The house which was undergoing refurbishment was still not ready. It was July and the move date is August 31st. There were no leads that I could really grab at. Butttt finally this week, Monday, I went to see a house. It was perfect. A three bedroom, two bath house in a nice quiet neighbourhood. To add to it there was also a little hut in the yard. I was estatic! Had I finally found the 'new' Potter's House. I had to wait to find out since there were another person ahead of me. I waited and prayed. I started packing. My girlfriend Fabiana, who is visiting with me from Anguilla was adamant that I must beging packing, to show the Universe that I am ready to move. I was finally given the okay on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, I went to read the lease. Lo and Behold! A clause jumped out at me!!! The premises should not be used to conduct business. How could that be?? The owner promises me that she would talk to other sibling about the possiblity of changing the clause. Today, I receive the devastating new that I can't use it for my business at all. I can't work, that is no pottery, no selling of pottery. No way!! I searched for answers. Tears have streamed down my cheeks unchecked quite a few times since. I asked myself many questions and many time WHY?? What is the lesson I ask myself. I have exactly two weeks and I am out of here. Where do we go? Only God knows! I plan to look carefully at all options. I am waiting to hear about that house which is nearing the completion of refurbishment. I am waiting to hear from the people I wrote to about building me one of those lovely little wooden houses. I am awaiting the title to the land I bought. One way or other, I will triumph in the end!!

Peace

The full moon

This is my last full moon here at The Potter's House, at Camps. I have spent a few minutes, every night, for the past week looking at the moon. I sit on the front steps, and look up into the clear Caribbean night sky, at the beauty of God's creation. The strong light of the full moon lights up the yard. I sit in awe! I know this is my last full moon phase here. I watched as it went from a cresent moon to a almost a half round shape, then to the great big round cheeze in the sky.

On Thursday night, which was the night of the full moon it was actually a very cloudy night. The moon really tried it's best to peep through the clouds. We were at the beach, X's Shiggidy Shack, selling pottery. I kept looking up to see if the moon would appear, but the mountain which towers over Timothy Beach Hotel, though not too high, obscured the effect of the moon for quite a while. I later realised that the moon was having a hard time fighting off the clouds. As I left the beach for home the clouds were clearing up. By the time I got home it had won the battle and now stood in all it's glory casting it's beautiful light upon the yard. I decided to allow it to cast it's light upon me too. I walked through the yard, sat under one of the mango trees, inhaled and exhaled deeply, before I went into the house and to my bed, to sink into blissful sleep. It is a wonderfully relaxing feeling, being one nature and to be part of it in this way.

Tonight, I am going out once again, like I did the night before to enjoy it. Maybe, I took the moon for granted many months as it rose up in the sky and cast it's light on this house and yard. I remember, we used to have poetry readings, under the Mango trees, on the basketball court or the porch. We chose to have it on the full moon. Though short-lived, WOTA (word of the artist) was a great coming together of like-minded persons. We need to find the time to get together again, somehow.

So to the beauty of the full moon in the Caribbean skies...I give thanks. It is always a great feeling, to pause for a moment and enjoy the wonders of creation.

The results....FINALLY

Well, it's been a few days since I fired up my electric kiln to complete a glaze firing of pottery which had been created over the last few weeks. It is indeed a process, the making of pottery, from opening a bag of moist clay to seeing the actual piece glazed and fired. I told someone

today, while at the Amina Craftmarket, where I sell my work primarily to cruise ship and stayover visitors, that no one asked me to make pottery or to put a particular design and colour on them. I am inspired by the spirit, something within me that moves me to see, create and do things in a particular way. It allows me to observe and interpret what I see around me and I execute it in my pottery. I also said that no one has to buy it but they do. A potential buyer comes to my gallery or my table at the market, the piece they will eventually buy speaks to them and inspires them to walk away with it. That makes me feel good!!

I am quite happy with the results of this firing, including the pieces which were glazed with the 'wrong' glaze. We unpacked the kiln two days after I fired up the kiln. At my sales event later that night, and again today, the newer designs which I decided to try were the first to 'fly' off the table.

For the pieces which I've sold the process is totally complete. In my gallery and my 'travelling bin' (the container in which I carry my pieces), there is a whole new stock to be sold..the process of pottery making complete! Now, it's time to sell, sell, sell!!!

finishing up

I woke up energised and ready to complete the process of glazing the pottery pieces that we had completed over the past few weeks. I choose to use glaze colours which I believe speak to me as a Caribbean potter. I love using black, blue, green, yellow and red. During my meditation to decide what colours to use and how to execute the designs, I decided to return to use a combination I used years ago, and also one which I returned to from time to time. What I call the 'liberation or Caribbean colours'...red, green, yellow and black. I also decided to do some faces and locks as a background design for some of the pieces. I have always loved playing with faces in my work. And the locks well you know...I am inspired by it too.

I promised photos to tell the story this time around.

I began working on the pieces seen below. After the clay is fired is reddish brown. I have just completed putting on the yellow glaze. At this stage it looks whitish. The real colour of the glaze will be evident after it is fired.

There is quite a number of pieces to complete. Some of the pieces were done last night. Some still need to be glazed on the inside.

As I worked a couple of ladies visited the shop. They purchased a couple pieces. I also received a phone call from one of my sisters in the US. Since I working alone and I had a meeting with a potential client, I had to stay focussed on completion. After applying the glazes and cleaning the bottom of all the pieces, I signed each piece before packing the kiln for the second firing.

You can see the little turtles which are going along for the ride between cups and bowls. I use these to make windchimes. It was an extremely hot day. I kept going back and forth from the house to the studio. I packed pieces into a box to make the process easier both on my legs and my flagging energy.There are shot glasses, boxes and bowls.

The top shelves got the plates and coasters.

I say a prayer and let it rip. The timer on the kiln was set for ten hours. I looked at the clock, it was 1.35pm and my meeting was scheduled for 1.30pm. I heard my phone going off. I couldn't find it. By the time I located it...a missed call from the prospective client. I called them back and told them I am on my way. I quickly washed my face, and some other parts of the body which was dripping with sweat, towelled of quickly, hunted for a dress, packed the three sample scounces and was out the door.

Two of the scounce samples.

The kiln fired for eight hours. I took a peep in it a few hours ago to see the results of the firing. The kiln was still quite hot eighteen hours later.

You'll see the results of the firing in my next blog.

The creative process continues....glazing pottery

The bisque firing yeilded some beautiful pieces. A brilliant dark red earth colored pottery. I didnt stop to take photos!! If I do, I will insert them before publishing this post.

After unpacking the kiln, Steve washed all the pieces so as to get the loose clay dust of the pieces. He placed them on a large flat surface and left them to dry in the mid-morning sun. In the meantime, I meditated, ah well, I needed to rest after having spent the better part of the morning straightening out the gallery and the rest of the house. This meditative period gave me the opportunity to decide the designs and the underglaze and glaze colors I would use to decorate the pottery today. This is the final stage of the process of creating a piece of pottery. Adding color to the natural pottery color using glazes can be a daunting task. Although, I use prepared glazes I know I may get a surprise after the glaze firing is complete. Currently, I am using Amaco glazes but I was recently introduced to Speedball glazes, so I am still in the process of testing how I can use it to get the effects that I want.

I started the process of decorating with glazes by using an underglaze color to create designs on the pieces.

I then applied the gloss glazed colors.

It's late and I'm tired. I've been doing this all day. At some point, in the later afternoon, I left Steve alone to do some of the glazing. I had already applied designs and glazes on the outside of the pieces and I now needed him to put clear glaze on the insides of the pieces. I left him to do that while I went to look after our baby. For some reason, I returned after putting the baby's diaper on to find that he was busy using a leaf green glaze on the insides. I just about 'lost it'. I shooed him away, while verbalizing my dismay, I also told hi to take over the baby duty!! I quickly took the brush and started fixing the mess he was making. In the split second that I recognised the error, I also realised that I most definitely wasn't going to change it. There was no way I was going to waste all my time and the glazes to change this. Old folks use to have a saying 'every mistake is a style'. So I took the brush and tried to smooth out the glaze and cover some areas that he missed. Luckily, he hadn't done to many.

He must have decided to leave at some point after I took over from him again to care for my hollering child. Once she was settled I returned to the complete the final set of pieces I had to design and glaze. I was successful in getting through the design process. I will tackle the rest of it tomorrow. Steve called to apologize for the mess up. I told him it's okay but I will have his head if after the firing it looks awful (lol). The leaf green is one of my best-selling colors so there really isn't anything to stress about. Tomorrow, we continue the process to completion.

I guess I'm publishing without photos. I promise my next post will be photos showing the some aspects of the process.

Until....

Honoring the morning!!!

I wake in the morning with a smile on my face. The Almighty Creator has blessed me with another day. Another to live, to love, to work, to play, to pray, to share to give thanks!!

Most mornings, at The Potter's House, in Camps Estate, St. Kitts, I wake up to the sound of the wind rustling through the trees just outside my bedroom windows. The mango trees, the flowering bouganvillia and yellow bells, the banana trees. I listen to the tweetering of the birds as they jump from branches to alight on mangoes, to peck at them before I can get to the still almost green fruit. The clucking and crowing of roosters and hens and their tiny chicks form part of the music along with the sound of the footsteps of someone walking on the road which runs through the village. These are the sounds I hear as I get out of bed to stretch and pray and welcome the day.

Soon, baby Stara will awake and so to Miss Kande. I plan on doing some exercise and I would prefer if they continue to enjoy their beautiful morning slumber, I'm not always lucky. I fill a glass with water, I then open the front door to absorb the morning sun. I see the sun, not so brilliant today as it struggles to pierce it's strong light through the cloudy sky. I notcie that the family of chickens seem to have expanded overnight. I wonder for a moment, but not the first time, why I continue to feed them scraps of food when I get no eggs. I enjoy the sight of these avaricious creatures as they forage for their breakfast. I watch them nibble on mangoes which fell overnight. I should have made that my first priority...to pick up the fallen fruit. I continue to seep on a glass of cool water as I await my personal trainer. We have an arrangement to meet twice a week at 6am but it is 6.30am and he hasn't arrived as yet. I lay the mats and enjoy the morning, breathing and praying and absorbing the beauty of the day. Stara appears, crying. I quieten her down and share with her some of my water. We enjoy this time together.

My trainer arrives with his girlfriend and starts what turns out to be a really good workout. I try to incorporate Stara as much as I can so that she won't throw a tantrum.

We end the workout with some yoga, honouring the new day, the morning! He then went up in the trees and picked mangoes and I finally sunk my teeth into the wonderfully succulent fruit. What a way to start the day! I give thanks!

packing the kiln

Today, I am completing the packing of my kiln. It is housed in my outdoor studio, here at The Potter's House. The goats have come by to see how many mangoes have fallen from the trees so that they can consume them for breakfast. This is my second kiln. I bought my first kiln back in 1995. It was an Aim kiln. I used it for about eleven (11) years before I bought my second kiln, an Olympic, in 2006. It is a larger kiln, measuring 23" wide x 30" high. Sometimes, I find it a challenge to pack it 'fill it' so as to maximize it's efficiency. So these past two weeks we have been very busy producing pottery. I concentrated mostly on throwing on the wheel, while Steve produced some pieces using the slab technique. Some of the larger pieces still has a couple more days before it is completely dried. Pieces have to be 'bone' dry before they are fired, so that they won't explode in the kiln.

Since this is a top-loading Kiln, I normally start packing the kiln by placing the largest and tallest pieces on the bottom, then I fill in the smaller pieces. I place three of the tallest kiln posts at approximately equal distances apart before adding another kiln shelf. In the photo, you see that this is a 'bisque' or 'biscuit' firing. The pieces are all 'greenware' i. e. air-dried, unfired clay pieces. In a firing like this, pieces can touch each other. While in a 'glaze' firing pieces must be at least 1/2" apart to prevent them from adhering to each other.

On the middle shelves I have packed smaller pieces:- bowls, animal shapes for wind chimes and for wall hangings, coasters, shot glasses and there is also a piggy bank which my daughter Kande made, that's going along for the ride. She made sure I didn't forget to put it in.

Here on the top shelf, I have placed some pieces which are still in the process of drying, along with some small vases, votive candle holders and incense oil burners. The slightly damp pieces are a bit darker than the drier pieces. Late last week, I met someone who is currently doing a development on the island and he asked me to show him some samples of wall sconces. So far we have completed three different designs. While Steve was responsible for the construction of the pieces, we discussed and looked at some designs prior to him executing them. The company uses an 'angel' fish as their motif, so I have incorporated that into the design. Notice the cutouts on the pieces. Since we would like these pieces to be part of this firing, we are hoping to fire the kiln they dry out completely. That may be tomorrow or the day after. In the meantime production continues....

teaching pottery at The Potter's House, St. Kitts

The children from the Ross University Preparatory School at the Potter's House in August 2007. They look on as I show give them an exercise in using clay to create just about anything they could dream up. Mostly they made butterflies, fish, airplanes and other little toy creatures. It was a packed one day workshop . They had lots of fun.

The UNESCO Youth Path Project brought a group of youths from the North of St. Kitts to spend a day with me in August of 2007. I took them on a journey from clay preparation to making of a piece of pottery during the course of the day. I showed them how to make a few items which I thought they could relate to. Most of them succeeded in making miniatures of the Yabba and coal pot.

Children cleaning clay at the Pottery and Art Camp held at The Potter's House, summer of 07

A bonfire firing of clay pieces.

Particants at work making Yabba pots during the UNESCO sponsored Pottery Workshop of January 2007, held at The Potter's House, St. Kitts

Participants are happily stirring a pail full of clay which has been softened with water and brought to a thick, creamy consistency.

A participant laughs as she sifts clay into a pail covered in canvas fabric.

The Rastaman is surrounded by pails and globs of clay.

The year 2007 was a busy year for me in terms of training others in the art of pottery making. The UNESCO workshop ran from January 22nd to February 2nd of 2007. We used clay which I had sent over from the Newcastle Pottery in Nevis. Almina Cornelius, the potter at that pottery came over a couple of days to assist in the facilitation of this workshop. Participants were taken on a journey from preparing the raw clay to making of the items to firing it in the tradional way on a bonfire, using exterior of the dried coconuts. The particpants, by the end of the two-week workshop was fully able to appreciate the beauty of their finished pieces.