Pot portraits

During the winter our collection of wood-fired pots reside indoors. Some are lucky enough to find a home in the main rooms of the house, but more than a few are forced to spend the cold months in the garage or basement. So it's always a thrill to bring them out onto the deck when warm weather arrives. This summer — for the first time — Mark moved all but four out of fourteen pots off the deck and into the garden. Limiting the decorative objects in the garden to stone — and stoneware — gives the garden a sense of cohesiveness and lets both the pots and the plants shine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pots range in size from 12 inches to 36 inches in height. The pots in images 5 and 8 are from Southeast Asia, the rest are by Wisconsin potters including Mark Skudlarek, Tony and Renee Gebauer, Michael Schael and Don Reitz.

Comments

[Altoon]

Your pots have such beautiful classic forms that I thought they were all Asian antiques. You have a great eye, and find what is just right: the wood fired surfaces and simple shapes are perfect amidst greenery.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

You and Mark have a beautiful collection of pots.

[Les]

What a fine collection of pottery. I'd be afraid that a tree limb would tumble onto one or a wild dog could run into them.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Altoon and Lisa — We are lucky that there is such a great community of potters in the area. There is also a big pottery festival every June and we've made lots of friends and purchases there.

Les — We've had a group of pots on the deck on and off for years and have not lost any yet. The one in the front garden is broken and mended (we knocked it over indoors ourselves!) We did have a branch come down and break a really big gazing ball, however.

[Pam/Digging]

You have a beautiful collection. I wish I could be that disciplined about sticking with one color scheme, but I tend to go a bit "fiesta" when pot shopping.