Old friends

In these photos are examples of chrysanthemum I cultivate.
Kiku

Garden I've grown.

Ceramic tiles of my design.

A flower called mountain laurel starting to bloom in my yard, and it reminds me of origami and Japan.

And my big suzani ( embroidery) on the wall from Samarkand Uzbekustan. The. Silk Road.

Art is in every corner of my life although I have not lately been making art in the sense that some think of making art.

But that sense narrows art.

Art is life.

Art is a way of perceiving life.

It is not only the action of writing a poem, it is in a certain observation of life that permeates.

So it is an awareness.

And in this we all are artist.

It isn't always necessary to be making and doing.

It is enough to be, alive.

Each person regardless has intrinsic value. We are not only the facade of this body we wear, but we are that which is everything. That which is all.

We are complete.

We are as Naoto says.

Love itself.

This is me in Nagaoka Niigata Japan, obviously studying ceramics!!

I hardly ever do this, but here is a pic of me in Japan, Niigata prefecture at an old 16th c house. 

I'll have to scan pics and add more, such a cool house, I want one like it, only smaller..

I almost moved here permanently.. or well, part time here and part time there, and I can say I really really miss and love Japan.

Some of my sculptural and thrown work in ceramics too...winged vessel series, and some porcelain with engobe that is an interesting story for another time.

Quinault Rain Forest

Trees Grow faster here in Washington than anywhere on earth

Temperate Rain Forest 

"There is an average of 10 to 15 feet, (120” - 140” up to 180”) of rainfall each year. Moisture is evident everywhere. Clouds, fog and forest growth help keep temperatures moderate summer and winter. This moisture and moderate temperature ensure plant growth and provides habitat for a wide variety of critters year round. And it’s the rainfall that makes this area unique."

Temperate Rain forest

Victoria BC holidays 2013-14

A few more photos! 

Can't forget fish n chips!

From The Empress Hotel

What's this? 

Lol

Sailing through the Gulf Islands to Vancouver

Spirit of Vancouver Island

Ferry.

No photos but we saw orcas and one put on a great show. 

It was nice seeing them in the expansive wild.

The ferry has about 4 types of dining available. 

One is a lounge with great seating for viewing off the stern.

They have staterooms. I'm not sure why you'd need one for a less than 2 hour sail though.

Oysters at Pescatores last night, walking and shopping today

Tapas at the Tapas bar.

 Creme brûlée in 3 flavors. 

Searching for an art gallery we love. 

If it's still here. 

Admitting to going into a mall looking for a store that carries the Canada Goose Mystique Parka. Only two stores here carry Canada Goose though.

Malls. Interesting to see occasionally. 

But I'm not a mall person or a big shopper. 

Art work is my preference.

Christmas happenings.

We are having great fun and have

Plans for cheery holidays per usual coming along. 

Wishing everyone a good holiday season. 

Hi to my fans in Ak who are reading enthusiastically!!

Especially from N. Pole. 

Kokono Waza, Rebecca Walker, Don't Start, and Prom King, Kiku from our garden this year.

 Kiku, Japanese mums...

Prom King is the butterscotch cushion mum.

The light yellow round is Rebecca Walker the other bright yellows are Kokono Waza,
The Pink is called Don't Start.

This is our 3rd year of  cultivating these mums
Which are considerable work.
We are away some too so they aren't always
treated just right.

I buy these from
Kings Mums in Oregon City.
They're small starts that require heavy feeding, pruning
and constant dis-budding.
Not all have opened yet. In fact less than half.

I have 21 plants this year I believe.
Stay Tuned!

In addition to cultivating these mums I have other gardens
and I work with clay and sculpt.
Pretty busy here.
 Just back from a week away
 (to buy stones to sculpt, and hammers and chisels).. in Vancouver  BC
We had a really good time there stayed at The Sylvia Hotel.

I started on some short stories as well.
Maybe a screen play?

Life is good if you don't have certain interferences and menaces to contend with.
Oh well, life is full of bugs, eh?

Postponed a trip to The East Coast due to a virus.

But all's well now. Take Care!

The Little artist in Vancouver looking at Houseboats, buying rocks to sculpt and fabric to quilt etc .

 

Beach treasures from walk last evening at Mukilteo Beach.

Calceolaria, slippery wart or pocketbook plant. 

Baby tears and beach wood.

...and a little tempura

Shells and beach glass from walk. 

See HEART beach glass in upper right corner below.