The gallery is stocked well enough for the time being. This allows time for a pause in the search for glaze combinations and traditional functionality and do some exploration. I have been working my head around some more figurative and symbolic sculptures... a concept that has presented itself many times in my work, though it's been awhile since goddesses and female figures have shown up...it's probably time. In thinking about more symbolic pieces, I revisited some pieces I saw in Peru in 2007. These gorgeous pieces are in the Larco Museum, Lima. http://www.museolarco.org/ I was so enthralled with the pieces I neglected to photgraph the tags...
These three pieces impacted me the most for deceptively simple forms, the symbols of seeds and the beauty in the birds. Sustenance, humanity and spirit, don't we as artists look for these still today? In addition, I am working in groups of three, which draws my attention to the structures. The concept of connection in humans, to each other, within ourselves, our surroundings and the world as a whole seems an apt point today, considering how "connected" technology allows us to be today. Are we really connected? On what level? What allows us to be genuinely connected? To what are we connected?
And speaking of big ideas...I don't think there's a culture out there that doesn't make big pots...
And now a word from our sponsor...Corn.
In our society today, so much heated argument is dedicated to corn, at least in my realm of interest in NPR podcasts and broadcasts on agriculture, food, health and the state of the economy. Corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, health care, farm subsidies, ethanol, gmo's (genetically modified organisims), pesticides, and special interests, did I miss any? When did we loose sight of rejoicing in food and the life and livelihood it provided? My mother has a set of corn salt and pepper shakers, does that qualify? Depending on which museum you are standing in, the answer could be yes. Our culture, in the last 100 years, has mass produced a considerable amount of tchotchke or kitsch dedicated to all the foods that have sustained us for centuries. I don't think any of them measure up to these boys. Imagine future archeologists digging through the rubble of our homes trying to piece together our stories, the same way archeologists have been attempting to piece together the stories of the Inca through these relics.
After looking at these, I'm left with a craving for corn on the cobb and butter from a corn emblazoned butter dish...maybe there's a corn goddess in the making???
Those who read this blog know my cabinets are full of locally and internationally purchased hand made pottery. How nice for my art ego to see this!! 
If you are looking to become a loca-consumer of the arts, I suggest the "Underground Pottery Sale" April 7 & 8th, Indiana University of PA, Robertshaw Building, 9am- 7pm. Pottery from the hands of IUP students and many potters from the surrounding communities. All proceeds benefit the Ceramics department. And, as awlays, the Saxonburg Area Artists Co-op is open Fridays and Saturdays for a more ecclectic selection of paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more. 
