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Sculptures and Their Stories

January 24, 2018 by Jim Potter 4 Comments

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Sculptures-and-Their-Stories.m4a

·  Bouncy’s Tall Tale by J. Alex Potter  ·

On today’s blog J. Alex Potter, my wife, shares her creativity about creativity! You will see her fine art, and as a bonus, you can hear her audio tape.

Kiss the Sky

KISS THE SKY

(1) My husband and I live in the country where the peace and quiet energizes me. We share the property with all sorts of wildlife, and we are located exactly under the flyways for migratory butterflies, pelicans, and Canada geese. This is my gateway to creativity.

Corina

CORINA

(2) Creativity is different for everybody.  For me it is whimsical and unpredictable. It’s something that’s not me. I don’t know where it comes from so I never know exactly when I’m going to connect with it. You have to be ready for it.  I learn to wait and listen.

Note cards

NOTE CARDS

(3) Inspiration can come to you anywhere:  waiting in line at the grocery store, a glimpse at the sky between the trees, driving the car. For me it often comes at night as I’m falling asleep. Ideas arrive in a manic rush – demanding I furiously scribble notes to myself. 

Egg painting

EGG PAINTING

(4) The process starts with an idea but I don’t get my hands in the clay right away. I take my time to savor and enjoy the possibilities. This waiting is important because I don’t want to miss anything. The most important part is the part you can’t even see. 

Cherry

CHERRY

(5) An artist is a problem solver. I want to make art that brings joy. Art that shows a glimpse of someone elses world. The job is to magically turn nothing into an illusion that reflects emotion, feelings, memories, yearnings and possibilities.

Hands in clay

HANDS IN CLAY

(6) When I work with the clay I go by the feel, often with my eyes closed. I like a wet, sticky clay that’s pliable. I use porcelain paper clay reinforced with cellulose that burns out when it’s fired. It’s easy to make changes, it’s strong, and resists cracking. 

Plastic bag

PLASTIC BAG

(7) Sometimes a piece takes a long time to model. Because I don’t want to dilute the creativity, I don’t talk about a sculpture until it’s almost finished and all of the parts are clear to me. I keep work wet under a plastic bag until I’m sure there are no more changes.

Kiln photo

KILN PHOTO

(8) When it is totally dry I carefully place the piece in the kiln and fire it to a temperature of 2000 degrees. The whole process takes about 24 hours. Finally, the sculpture is painted with layers of acrylic paint. I was a painter for 25 years so this part is a lot of fun.

Suhaila’s back

SUHAILA’S BACK

(9) The names and stories reveal themselves – I don’t make them up. I trust my feelings about when it is “right.” I write the words of the story on the sculpture’s surface to add to the energy . The stories give voice to another perspective and reality. 

Sid, Rhonda, and the Boys

SID, RHONDA, AND THE BOYS

(10) Sometimes the subjects are a surprise to me – they are things I get to find out about in the process. The piece I want to talk about tonight came from an everyday experience that was the springboard for a sculpture about a dog and the day he was having.

Jim at window

JIM AT WINDOW

Alex in rainbow wig

(11) The sculpture, Bouncy’s Tall Tale, started with my husband washing dishes at the kitchen sink. He was looking out the window when he saw the neighbor’s dog sniffing around a flower bed where we had stuck a turkey feather in the ground for decoration.

RAINBOW WIG ALEX

(12) Then he saw the dog steal the feather and take it back home! When Jim told me about that event, I knew I wanted to make a sculpture! I was excited about it but it took several months for all the parts to come together.

Drawing book

DRAWING BOOK

(13) Many details go into the preparation of a sculpture. We don’t have a dog so I had to research dog anatomy. What color would Bouncy be? How big? I had to decide what Bouncy’s posture and facial expression would be.  What did he want to say?

Feathers

FEATHERS

(14) The feather was a trophy so it needed to have an important part in the composition, too. I studied the markings and colors of turkey feathers to find the right one. There are a lot of details to figure out…

Real Bouncy

REAL BOUNCY

(15) And here he is! The neighborhood dog who inspired the sculpture! Thanks to Bouncy (we don’t know his real name), I’d like to tell you a little story… This is “Bouncy’s Tall Tale”….

Hubcap’s feet

HUBCAP’S FEET

(16) Before he ever saw Rogena, young Bouncy dreamed of chasing her.

He smelled her footprints and wondered about her. Is she bigger than me? How fast can she run with only two feet? Could she climb like the cats? He thought about her all the time.

Bouncy’s back

BOUNCY’S BACK

(17) When he finally saw her, Bouncy couldn’t believe his eyes! Rogena was beautiful! Majestic! And she was Big! She had two feet like he guessed, skinny legs, and a little blue head. But then he saw it! SHE HAD WINGS! 

Close-up of feather

CLOSE-UP FEATHER 

(18) His heart sank. He would never win a race with her if she could fly!

Then one morning when he was on his regular patrol, he saw it there on the ground! One of Rogena’s feathers! What luck!

Bouncy’s side smile

BOUNCY’S SIDE SMILE

(19) Bouncy smiled. He gently took the wonderful feather in his mouth and turned to trot home. He couldn’t wait to tell everyone how he won a 100 mph race with the turkey queen. And here was the proof – one of her feathers!

Bouncy’s full front

BOUNCY’S FULL FRONT

(20) Brownie would be impressed. Biscuit would be jealous. But they would both say, “Bouncy, you’re such a GOOD BOY!”

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

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Filed Under: Blog posts Tagged With: about creativity, Bouncy's Tall Tale, Cherry, Corina, Hubcap Houdini, J. Alex Potter, Kiss the Sky, Sid Rhonda and the Boys, Suhaila, Talk20Hutch

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarLetty says

    January 24, 2018 at 10:41 am

    How fun to read and pretend I still live in the country.

    Reply
    • Jim PotterJim Potter says

      January 24, 2018 at 10:52 pm

      Thanks, Letty! Peace and quiet.

      Reply
  2. AvatarLinda says

    March 3, 2018 at 7:03 am

    VERY good reading by your wife!! I loved the story!

    Reply
    • Jim PotterJim Potter says

      March 3, 2018 at 7:05 am

      Yes, her story & reading was excellent! Thanks for noticing.

      Reply

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What People Are Saying

Sean McArdle

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centres on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to give enough detail to bring the characters to life, yet not too much so as to slow down the pace of the developing story. A climactic event affects the main characters and it is at this point Potter’s deep knowledge of people and police procedures really hits home; page by page we read how a seemingly simple, though terrible occurrence, can have huge consequences. To Potter’s credit the story does not have a completely conclusive or simplistic ending. Instead it leaves the reader thinking about how the events of a single minute can affect lives forever. I would whole heartedly recommend this book not as a crime novel or even as a novel about crime but as a beautiful and positive affirmation about what it is to be human and how ultimately it is relationships which matter more than events.

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:24:22-06:00

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centres on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to give enough detail to bring the characters to life, yet not too much so as to slow down the pace of the developing story. A climactic event affects the main characters and it is at this point Potter’s deep knowledge of people and police procedures really hits home; page by page we read how a seemingly simple, though terrible occurrence, can have huge consequences. To Potter’s credit the story does not have a completely conclusive or simplistic ending. Instead it leaves the reader thinking about how the events of a single minute can affect lives forever. I would whole heartedly recommend this book not as a crime novel or even as a novel about crime but as a beautiful and positive affirmation about what it is to be human and how ultimately it is relationships which matter more than events.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/sean-mcardle/

Rebecca

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:41:14-06:00

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/rebecca/

Wynona Winn

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:18:33-06:00

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/wynona-winn/

Denise Low

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:31:21-06:00

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/denise-low/

Larry Kruckman

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a jail, art fair, powwow, rehab center, courtroom, albinos, and even someone in the throes of postpartum depression. So detailed are the descriptions that they must be drawn from the author’s personal experience. Besides the artfully created characters such as the struggling jailer and husband Tom Jennings, local artist Jesse Thomas, and Native American Joe Morningcloud, there is a tight story line that grabs your attention and won’t let go. Human tensions, love, conflict, joys and sorrows are all there. Magically, all the many pieces come together in a final crescendo, giving hope that even when we find ourselves in big trouble we can survive. This is a novel I highly recommend!

Larry Kruckman, Anthropologist

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:27:15-06:00

Larry Kruckman, Anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a jail, art fair, powwow, rehab center, courtroom, albinos, and even someone in the throes of postpartum depression. So detailed are the descriptions that they must be drawn from the author’s personal experience. Besides the artfully created characters such as the struggling jailer and husband Tom Jennings, local artist Jesse Thomas, and Native American Joe Morningcloud, there is a tight story line that grabs your attention and won’t let go. Human tensions, love, conflict, joys and sorrows are all there. Magically, all the many pieces come together in a final crescendo, giving hope that even when we find ourselves in big trouble we can survive. This is a novel I highly recommend!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/larry-kruckman/

Deb Theis

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller that the reader quickly becomes immersed and has a ‘bonding experience’ with each of the characters, feeling their joy, fear, passion and pain. Jim’s novel speaks to the empowerment of persistence with the characters as they work through their trials. As a therapist, I appreciated the heartfelt struggles from each of the characters and their diversity. I also found value in the novel’s understanding of society’s misunderstanding of both mental health and other conditions in which people struggle. The novel contains rich exposure to various realities that many of us do not know about . . . but should. When I finished this captivating novel, I was wanting to read the sequel! It was an honor and a wonderful, mesmerizing experience reading this book. Congratulations, Jim!

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:20:29-06:00

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller that the reader quickly becomes immersed and has a ‘bonding experience’ with each of the characters, feeling their joy, fear, passion and pain. Jim’s novel speaks to the empowerment of persistence with the characters as they work through their trials. As a therapist, I appreciated the heartfelt struggles from each of the characters and their diversity. I also found value in the novel’s understanding of society’s misunderstanding of both mental health and other conditions in which people struggle. The novel contains rich exposure to various realities that many of us do not know about . . . but should. When I finished this captivating novel, I was wanting to read the sequel! It was an honor and a wonderful, mesmerizing experience reading this book. Congratulations, Jim!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/deb-theis/

John & Cindy Morrill

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters and the settings in which they live and work. It makes a story more realistic if you can say, I am familiar with the area; I know where that town is or I have traveled that street. It was easy to relate to the characters. In one way or another, I have met them all somewhere in my journeys

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:14:56-06:00

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters and the settings in which they live and work. It makes a story more realistic if you can say, I am familiar with the area; I know where that town is or I have traveled that street. It was easy to relate to the characters. In one way or another, I have met them all somewhere in my journeys
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/john-cindy-morrill/

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental illness. One of my favorite quotes from Taking Back the Bullet is “We’re all just a critical moment from being disabled or mentally ill, and we don’t want to think about it.” The novel also provides the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the individuals, their family, friends, and society. Taking Back the Bullet is a story of forgiveness and overcoming life’s struggles and tragedies.

Morgan Penner

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:25:35-06:00

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental illness. One of my favorite quotes from Taking Back the Bullet is “We’re all just a critical moment from being disabled or mentally ill, and we don’t want to think about it.” The novel also provides the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the individuals, their family, friends, and society. Taking Back the Bullet is a story of forgiveness and overcoming life’s struggles and tragedies.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/morgan-penner/

Dennis Perrin

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Dennis Perrin, educator

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:44:55-06:00

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/dennis-perrin/

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Rebecca Schillaci

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:46:40-06:00

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/rebecca-schillaci/

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Sheryl Remar

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:47:46-06:00

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/sheryl-remar/

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Jane Holzrichter

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:21:41-06:00

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/jane-holzrichter/

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Steve Becker

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:26:21-06:00

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/steve-becker/

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Diana Dester

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:19:23-06:00

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/diana-dester/

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:44:26-06:00

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/karleen-wilson-moon/

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

Judy Hawk

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:15:48-06:00

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/judy-hawk/
16
Sandhenge Publications

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