It's true! I've been cleaning out the studio and packing up all the work/life essentials for our big trip to the homeland. Back to the middle east. Just a ways east of the GTA. Belleville, here we come!
Tom and I often dream of those beach holidays I overhear sunkissed friends and strangers bragging about -- Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican... And a friend recently told me of the elaborate plans she'd made to experience all that France had to offer (including a french cooking class.. ya, in France)!
But being this far away from family -- and specifically a wee two year old and a fresh babe due mid summer -- can get old, and the shorter holidays in Ontario end up being stressful fits of mini visits. What better way to rid ourselves of all the missing everybody than to get right in there! Our goal is to arrive in Belleville June 1st... my sister's possession date at her new house and likely the end of my current friendly relationship with the 2 inch wide sash (cutting in) brush. I'm guessing by June 5th we'll be up to our armpits in "Oh no, what have we done?"!
But in the interest of getting stuff done, I'll be bringing a mini version of my studio! I'm super stoked about making a new space and making new friends -- potters and appreciators alike! I've already recycled my garbage bin full of slip and cleaned my wheel. I'm firing my second last of two kiln loads today. And I'm packing up all my studio treasures: typewriter keys, 1982 thesaurus, and #6021 dark red mason stain! I've made space in the basement so the rest of it will be awaiting my return in September.
Tom's been fixing up the Airstream. Without a proper landing spot -- studio or house -- the ol' tin box will be pulling triple duty: 1 part cargo hauler, 1 part en route camper, 1 part proper Belleville studio! There's even been some discussion about whether or not Black Knuckle will be able to join us in there! Seriously, people, making plans with Tom is not for the faint of heart.
So to my Nelson Wednesday Market friends and the Columbia Basin Culture tourers, I'm sorry we won't be sharing sunscreen and watermelon whales. I'll really miss catching up with you and I hate that we don't run into each other down town throughout the year. Let's make a date in the fall for tea and until then, check in every once in a while to see how Bellevegas is treating me. (And if you're looking for pots you can still get 'em at the Craft Connection in Nelson, the Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar, Grand Forks Art Gallery in, well, Grand Forks, and on the coast my cups are holding up the mug wall at the Gallery of BC Ceramics on Granville Island).
To my GTA posse: LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE! Seriously, once I get set up I'd love to have you over for a little show and tell (read: Mum & Dad, can I have some people over)? I've received some sweet notes over the course of the year and it would be nice to meet all of you! And Belleville, I've spent some time in your town. Ross, get ready to hook a sister up with some eggs. Market in the square, I'm coming for your fresh veg and local honey. Downtown pubs with decks in the sun, I can't wait to drop by for an afternoon cider! Finally, Bellevillians (wait, that makes you sound like bad-guys... Bellevillers? Bellevillagers? Bellevillage People?) let me know if you'd like to have a hand at making pots! I'll put together a little crafternoon and stock up on freezies.
Alright. That's enough yakkity-yak. I've got a kiln to load and some laundry to put on the line while that sun's a-blazin'. I'll keep you posted on my packing progress -- you can tell me what I'm forgetting.
P.S. Does anyone out there want to summer-sit my houseplants?
