endings.....

Christmas is over, time to reflect on the past year and look at forward to the next one.  The past year has been a decent one.  It's had it's ups and downs as you would expect.  I have met and made many new friends and have reconnected with many old ones.  For many years I had been searching for my 2nd  grade teacher, Mrs. Kimbrough.  I've always felt she was the first person who truly believed in me.  I finally got to thank her.  We talk on occasion and hope to go visit her soon.  Art-wise, I'm happy with the stuff I've created.  Freedom Chickens were born!!!  I've gotten some great publicity.  I'm thankful for everyone who has supported me in the past year.  Next year is looking to be huge.

Got some sad news this morning from the most unlikely of sources.  My exwife texted me to let me know that Marie Rogers had passed away.  By the time I got to know Marie in 2003 or so, she wasn't making a whole lot of pottery and it had become almost impossible to get any from her.  She lived just around the corner from me and we would talk sometimes at church.  I started buying her pottery, initially for resale.  I was in the antique auction business and the pieces that I ran through there were making me some really good money.  Then I began to appreciate it and started collecting it for myself.  From there I started learning more about folk pottery and collecting it.  I collected pottery for quite a few years.  Collecting folk pottery introduced me to folk art.  I became amazed at the simplicity of much of it. There were no rules to it.  An artist could express himself however he wanted to, without boundaries, in the most simplistic of ways.  They didn't have to listen to someone telling them how it should be done. 

Thank you Ms. Marie.  You and your art introduced me to folk pottery and folk art.  I feel like now, in part because of you, that I know where I belong.

I'll Have a Blue Christmas........

Blue Christmas has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs.  The Elvis version of course.  I'm not really fond of holidays.  I don't think there is any deep psychological reasoning behind it.  Maybe I just do too much reflecting this time of year.  In my opinion, Christmas has become too commericialized.  Anyway, back to where I was really heading with this whole thing.  I've had my aunt Mary Ann Weaver on my mind a whole lot lately.  Many of you know, she just recently had a lung transplant at Duke Medical Center.  Her house was always a must for Christmas during the past several years.  She will be spending Christmas in the hospital this year recovering from her transplant.  Please continue praying for her. 
Several people have really touched me this Christmas.  The daughter who is giving her mother a trip down to see me and talk art is probably one of the best gifts I have received in a long time.  I've always thought of gifts as being temporary, blessings are eternal. 
Thinking of Christmas this year, there will be some blue, but there will also be some reds, whites, yellows, greens.  Don't just give a gift, give a blessing.

World Keep On Turning....

I hadn't posted a blog in a while, not really sure where this will go.  I've been keeping busy.  The real job has been stressful.  The Starving Artist job is sounding better and better.  Going to be doing Holiday Hatch Market on Saturday.  Looking forward to doing it but i hope it is much warmer.  Had to make some tough decisions lately.  I've been asked to make some stuff that I don't want to do.  For future reference:  Never ask me to make a toilet paper holder.  I chose to not do them.  Of course I co do it for the money, but I don't like doing stuff when there is no inspiration or desire. My art, as crazy as some of it is, is personal.  It is my thoughts and experiences. I just want to share them and hopefully put a smile on someone's face.