For the Birds

Pictured above is the Bird TLC Administrative Assistant Monique, holding the Raven sculpture for the upcoming fundraiser.

When I’m working on a special project or commission, if I’m able to I will make two originals. Each slightly different and still original but taking the pressure off me to have that one piece be just right. I stress over special pieces and commissions. While making a sculpture for the Bird Treatment and Learning Center 2011 “For The Birds” fundraiser, that’s just what I did. I made a Two Raven sculptures for the auction and another for Katie’s Gallery, letting each one “speak to me” on where they should each go. I also finished up a large corporate commission this week but I didn’t think it would be cool to Blog about it (though I really wanted to!)… I feel weird asking clients “do you mind if I blog and blab to the world about this really cool project you just paid me to do for you?!” Some people clearly are not comfortable with blogging and I can totally respect that.

The best part about making the sculpture to donate to the Bird TLC was being able to deliver it to the Center! I got the chance to see one of my favorite birds “Kodi” or “Kodiak the Cache Crow” as he known by many. “Kodi” is originally from Kodiak, Alaska and due to an injury is unable to return to the wild but spends his days COMFORTABLY at the Bird TLC also acting as an ambassador of sorts for the Center. Kodi is trained to take paper money and drop it into the donation jar (he was too fast for my camera!) to the delight of donors watching! This last summer Kodi was supposed to come to the Spenard Farmers Market but was unable to make an appearance due to a not very public appropriate molting issue… Tickets are still available (they sell out fast!) so mark your calendar for March 18^th at the Anchorage Hilton to attend the “For the Birds” Auction for the Bird TLC and bid on my Raven sculpture! With the additional support from the auction the Center will continue to provide primary medical care and rehabilitation for sick, injured, or orphaned wild birds; and provide environmental

education for the public through live wild bird programs. The Spenard Farmers Market will also host a Bird TLC Day this summer on Saturday, June 25 where you can meet some of the Center’s most beautiful inhabitants up close! Here is also a link to the Bird TLC blog.

One Old Mushroom!

While taking pictures of Mom's beautiful, Pacific Northwest Spring flowers, hidden among the budding Tulips was Mr. Toadstool! This old mushroom is about 30 years old. It was easy to calculate his age because I made him in my high school pottery class! He's about 6 inches tall and I think made from stoneware. What was interesting and a bit weird to me was the design of his face looks very similar to the new moon's face I'm making...  Along with the Crocus, Mini-Daffodils, Primrose and Tulips, Mom grows luscious Succulents. I love the creative containers she uses and all of her plants seem so happy. I wish the Alaska climate was a bit more hospitable so I could grow Succulents year round.

The Bird TLC fundraiser is this weekend. I read in the newspaper this morning that their famous "Cash-Crow" is named "Kodi," after Kodiak Island where he originally was from. Other fundraisers I'm contributing

artwork to this week are the Catholic Social Services Charity Ball and the Anchorage Concert Chorus. Donating to the CSS Charity Ball is easy for me to support because of the various programs CSS funds and operates, especially Clare house, which provides temporary emergency shelter for women and women with children. Though it may not always be financially convenient to write a contribution check, I can always make art for good causes.

It appears the bisque load of new "Woobie Souls" and other work fired successfully. I was surprised that the new Raku clay I used fired to a pinkish color. It started as a grayish ^04 clay with more grog in it than the Tile White I was also using. I took a quick picture after I opened the lid this morning, I'll unload the kiln and glaze today after I drop off the donations to CSS and Anchorage Concert Chorus. Among the "Woobie Souls" is a pinch style goblet that the youngest son made (inspired after too many Indiana Jones movies...) and the tile on the far right was made by the middle son and says "Love Life" -

I thought that was a good mantra to live by.