Beach Weather
time to break out the rosé (all day)
Summer is officially here!
In the past weeks, San Francisco has been serving us hot, sunny weather or cool, foggy breezes.
Also, due to the upcoming move, I’ve been trying to spend as much time on the beach with Katara as possible. She loves to run the beach, splash in the water, and chase the seagulls. Whenever she realizes we are going to the beach, she starts crying excitedly until she can race from the car to the sand.
Over the past nine years, I’ve also loved living close to the beach. Before the pandemic, I could often walk up and down Ocean Beach without seeing anyone. It’s gotten busier since then, but I still enjoy the walk. As long as I’m not getting wind blasted by the California Current.
Living by the water has also been a source of inspiration for my ceramic art.
For several years, I’ve been hand-building a variety of ocean-themed creatures such as whales, sea otters, harbor seals, hermit crabs, and octopus.
My octopus sculptures have been one of my favorite pieces to make and have become something I’m recognized for at the little ceramic studio I work out of in San Francisco.
I don’t know what it was exactly that drew me into making octopus sculptures. I think they are such a cool, and interesting creature— intelligent, adaptable, and colorful. I also like the shape and the prospects of what I can create based upon my mood.
I’ve also become proficient making rather quickly, and each new one seems to be better than the last. I like that I can look at my octopus pieces and see the progression of my art. I also like how I can experiment with the glazes, layering, sponging, or painting, to see how the glaze will mix once fired.
Sometimes it works and I get really cool patterns and textures. Sometimes It doesn’t and I end up with a less-than-ideal bland color.
This past year, I’ve been experimenting with creating octopus pieces that hang on the wall (like the one below. This piece in particular is now with my friend in Seoul, South Korea), as well as tile.
The tile was created for a bench located outside the ceramic studio in memory of a former resident artist.
I had never created a tile before but thought it sounded like a fun challenge for a good cause. As I knew I would be eventually leaving San Francisco after the birth of my child, I also liked the idea of leaving something of me behind in a space that has been important to me for almost a decade.
I’ve been a student, a drop-in, and a volunteer studio monitor. Being a member at the studio has been such a privilege. I’ve made great friends, watched incredible artists create, and had a place to go practice my art that was happy, relaxed, and grounded. It’s going to hard to duplicate an experience like that.
With that being said, I am planning on continuing ceramics after I move. I have more octopus sculptures I would like to make and would like to see what I will create influenced by my new mountain environment.
I am also going to explore tiles more. I found that I really enjoyed the process of making my octopus tile and would like to experiment with smaller tiles, both as a practical and/or as an art piece.
As of this moment, I’m only making ceramics made-to-order, but I think it could be fun to eventually have my own virtual store front or sell at an art show. Let’s see how 2025 pans out.
a wine & a woof
Rosé is such a wonderful summer wine.
When it has been hot out and I am having a lazy day, I often wander down to the local French cafe and sit outside with Katara to enjoy a glass of rosé and some sort of pastry.
Last year, I was introduced to Akarregi Txiki Rosado from Getariako Txakolina, Spain.
This is such a fun wine. To me, it’s like a spritz-y strawberry. It’s light, it’s floral, it’s fresh, and I can literally sit outside all day in the sun and drink it. It’s as easy and enjoyable as wines go.
These wines from the Basque region of Spain are sometimes called, “Txakolina” (that’s how I was introduced to it). I’ve sampled both this and the white wine from Akarregi Txiki. Both are fun, but the rosé was the most memorable in my opinion.
I would pair this Txakolina with a Ibizan Hound, a dog native to Southern Spain.
I know, I know— I just paired a Basque wine with a dog from the Balearic Islands. My husband scoffed at me over it. But, it’s my pairing and I’m going to roll with it.
Ibizan Hounds are an ancient dog breed used by the Phoenicians to chase and catch rabbits. They are affectionate, gentle, easy-going, and athletic. These dogs are made to run, and are happy when they are able to run every day. Also, due to their short coat, they are a dog that can handle the summer heat very well.
What could be better company drinking Txakolina than a dog that would love to hang out with you, hiding in the shade from the summer heat? Also, the little carbonation bubbles in the wine remind me of the bursts of energy Ibizan Hounds can get.
Also, how cute is this AI image?? I was playing around with a program and entered in a prompt that generated this image. The wine label is LOL (not correct in the slightest), but it goes get the point across.
i’ll drink to that
Shows: Bridgerton (Netflix)- Season 3, Part 2.
Books: How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price — because I seriously pick up my phone way too much and for no good reason. Was my phone actually vibrating in my pocket? No. Do I need to check my email for the 100th time today? Definitely not.
Eats: Il Casaro Pizzeria - I walked into this pizza place for the first time with some friends last week. It was good Italian style pizza. 10/10 pizza, recommend. Would like to drink wine here, too.
Happy Summer and thanks for reading!
~Kir
*Featured artwork is by me. If you would like to support me and my art, please subscribe!