A great white cornfield

Spent the night in newton Iowa, along interstate 80 east of des Moines. Nice place with a speedway, community colleges, County courthouse, some dining options, and warm hearts.

Morning view on US Hwy 6 leaving newton. The view here was indicative of the next 200 miles.

Stopped at Coe College to view the art collection hanging in the library. It seems a wonderful facility.

View of the Mississippi river north from the Hwy 20 bridge which connects the two Dubuques.

Home town.

2016 studio pics

Casserole for client in KC, MO.  Design courtesy of a western mexico artist.

Terra Cotta platter. Thanks to Jennifer E., whose collection includes a couple of banana themed bowls.

Buff clay work bowls, early March.

Mugs for the Nest, Tulsa.  

At long last, my new tool for making handles, a georgie's extruder.

WalmART bridges

I enjoyed walking on the grounds of crystal bridges museum in nw arkansas' metroplex.

There is a new installation of a frank Lloyd wright home transplanted from a flood plain in the east. This isn't it.

Special exhibit of western hemisphere art comes down January 18.  Can't say the curatorial statement stuck with me.

New Year's Bread Bake

MIxed wheat and unbleached wheat flour in a ceramic bowl.  I've used metal bowls for years but decided this time to follow the path of the purist.

Sticky dough with the salt and oil added.

Much of the water called for in the recipe was not needed.

Big fat potter's hand working the dough.

The dough after chaffing.  My first time to do this.

The flying nun - ready for rising and punching down and rising.

Divide. Shape into loaves.

Time for the final proofing.

Debbie gave me these bread sheets years ago.  

Ready for the oven.

I've turned the bread to stone!
No surprise - as potters often turn things to stone.