November brings turkey and lots of winter pieces.  I am terribly excited about this piece that just went into the kiln for 5th and final fire.   I have built the background slowly, taking care to build each layer individually leading up to the early spring leaves topped with fresh snow.  I'll post the kiln opening below tomorrow.

Haven't blogged in a long time and I felt the call tonight.  Our second winter storm is bearing down and it is a great night for firing and writing.  

This will be the second piece in a row that I will give away.  My brother and sister-in-law participate in fundraisers this time of year and often ask me to make a piece for the auction.  The funny part is that my brother always outbids everyone for my pieces so he is subsequently acquiring the largest single collection of my work!  I love my brother and sister-in-law because they have always supported my work.

The piece is going in for second firing above.  Since they live in Louisiana, I decided to make a wooded scene that will have a swing hanging from the tree. That is my memory of childhood.

The other donated piece was from the Anne Nye advanced palette knife class at Artisan Village in Coolidge AZ.  I love the low desert flora--saguaro cactus, ocatillo and prickly pear are my favorites so I did one and left it with the Artisan Village Foundation for fundraising for the center.

Yes, I am a nice guy.  Yes, I am a generous idiot.  No, I am not getting rich off my art--surprise!