Building A Big Clay Sculpture

As the new year begins, Bill has begun building a tall ceramic sculpture (a rarity) in his basement studio. Hauling such a sizable piece out in a greenware state is a big effort. Four of us will manage it while the actual build is a wonderfull thing to watch.

Bill has just turned 74 and amazes us all. Happy Birthday Bill!

This sculpture is built 70" high which fits the studio kiln after shrinkage from drying. It will also just fit into the back of my vintage Volvo wagon to be transported to the Takaezu Studio.

"Ta Da."

Hot Seats

One of Bill's first ceramic garden seats sits in front of our kitchen Morso woodstove next to the table, and serves as the "hot seat" as its' clay body warms. Others have joined it lately as the weather has been extreme this winter. Bill made the tiles below the stove forty yrs. ago.

Merry Christmas Mode

Merry Christmas. Our tree with my old family ornaments and ones we made. I love the beeswax Santas & angels in red and honey colors. Candy molds were used with our honey bee's wax Bill collected and the deep red wax was made with fine German crayons.

Below are Bill, Christian & Leif "tending the bees".

Christian tending bees on his farm.

Winter's Wood

Four stacks deep.

Our family has always split wood for winters here, and now have three nearby houses with stacks. Christian splits, Leif hauls logs, Bill stacks with 2 wheelbarrows and I run the splitter. This Sunday we split 6 hrs. at Christian's farm and my house. Hooray!

Garden Stone & Seat

Bill sold this lovely garden stone and seat yesterday at the Takaezu Studio Open House to a young family and world accomplished ceramicist, respectively. Nice endorsement!

Seat bought by Maxwell Mustardo and the sculpture of his that we have purchased...

Studio Open House

The Takaezu Studio:

1177 Croton Rd., Flemington, NJ 08822

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE SHOW AND SALE

Saturday, December 7, 2024    12-6 PM  

• Join us for our annual Winter Open House!
• Artwork by Toshiko Takaezu, her apprentices & current studio artists.
• Also Swampy Vale's delectable pizza!

Pretty As A Painting

Pilgrim George Lewis, clothier from Kent England in 1630, bought 12 acres from the Indians in Barnstable when Plymouth became overcrowded. Our house was built here by his grandson Benjamin. The room below and kitchen were built the first year as a 3/4 Cape; becoming a full Cape soon after. 

1717 Old Farm is newly restored now and pretty as a picture. Two of my favorite contemporary paintings are hung inside and complete the picture for me. 

The below was painted in Nantucket of it's lovely flora & fauna, and hangs lit in the kitchen. The old pegged ceiling beams, rafters and floor boards here, are a wonderful setting!