Tab Boren of Mantachie, MS

I am tired. Zombie. Brain dead. Slowed to a Walking Dead pace.

Almost too tired to blog, so tonight I will share a bouquet of Black Eyed Susan wildflowers (in the sunflower family) displayed in one of my favorite pottery vases.

I collect hand-thrown pottery. Preferably from places I have visited or potters I have met. Especially Mississippi potters!

I met Tab Boren back in 2002 at a signing. She and I were signing our respective work at a gift shop in Tupelo. Tab brought her wheel, and I have some pictures of her throwing little heart-shaped pots.

I think I also have pictures of a table full of drool-worthy pottery that she had thrown by hand. I wanted all of it! She was doing dragonflies on some of her pieces that I wanted so badly. If I can remember I will look for those pictures and come back and post them here.

These Black Eyed Susan flowers are in a vase that I ostensibly bought for my mother's birthday. The flowers and pottery vase are on display in the old farmhouse, and the pottery stays on a shelf in the dining room in the farm house.

But Mama knew the truth. She knew that I could not live without this vase. Since she is the one who got me hooked on collecting pottery, it all works out just fine. I can give her pottery for presents, and she can give me pottery for presents, and we are both as happy as a cat sleeping in a ray of sunshine!

Tab impressed me with her Christian perspective on life and because she was taking care of elderly parents while trying to run a business. She also has a big heart for giving of herself to others.

Apparently Tab comes from a pottery family. She learned her art from her grandmother Eupal Riley of Peppertown Pottery. Now I must find some of Mrs. Riley's work as well!

Gordon and I must get to Mantachie, where Tab lives, and splurge on some more pottery! Definitely. Maybe I can order some by email or phone.

Oh, baby! I just discovered the gallery section of her website! Gotta have some of that!!

Oh, and yes, I must share more of my pottery obsession with you. You will probably laugh at me for how well the different pieces, made by different potters from different states, all blend well together as if I planned to collect a particular range of mix-and-match colors!

Lots and lots of porcelain. More problems...not unexpected. Still working the problem. Still in good spirits. Just very, very tired. Going to bed early tonight.

If you know of some talented potters who throw on the wheel, please share with me. I will never have enough pottery! NEVER! *wicked grin*

Comments

[Donna Jones]

Hi Penny. Remember me? Sam and I used to do the Rosalie website. I wanted to tell you that I purchased Natchez Clay teaching studio from Conner Burns. (www.connerburns.com). He is having an open house Thanksgiving weekend, but he is open by appointment also.
We have several really good potters at our studio. I don't have any of their work featured on our website yet. (www.natchezclay.com) The photos on the front page are from our Intermediate class. Pumpkins! We had so much fun making them.
Just wanted to say hello! I found your blog when I was looking around for places to post my workshops for 2009.
Let me know if you want to be invited to our Papa Noelle Christmas sale at the studio - December 4th. We are now on the corner of Clifton and Madison.
Hope all is well with you.
Donna Jones

[Penny Sanford Fikes]

More David Morgan here:
http://www.thegalleryatsevenoaks.com/clay.html

Be sure to click on "More Pictures" to see more of his beautiful work!

[Penny Sanford Fikes]

Ohhh, Teresa.......Thank you for the recommendation! I found photos of some of David Morgan's work here: http://www.mudfire.com/surfacing-2006.htm

One has to scroll down until you find his name followed by some scrumptious pictures.

I definitely have to have a piece of his work. That first bowl would fit right into my collection! Usually I collect bowls, vases or pitchers (which can also be used as vases)...pieces which can be used as centerpieces.

If I don't run across a website for him or an email or phone, I may ask you to share those with me privately. He does beautiful, beautiful work!

Many thanks for letting me know about him! You are a very thoughtful neighbor!

Fondly,
Pen

[teresa (maggiegracecreates)]

I have been a reader for some time - new comment though. Potter recommendation - my neighbor - David Morgan - from danielsville georgia.

David lives and has his studio near me. Great guy. Lovely work.

Not a potter but still a very talented family of artists - the bendzunas glass family - their studio is in my hometown.

Lovely people as well.

I enjoy coming here - may all the rpoblems work themselves out smoothly.