KTH Kitchen Ceramics

2022 is the year I launch my new ceramic line, KTH Kitchen Ceramics. Years ago I had the idea to incorporate my images onto ceramics. I inquired here and there about the process and thought about how I wanted them to look but somehow it didn’t come together until this last summer.

I was lucky enough to find a mentor and studio to work in and so began KTH Kitchen Ceramics. It wasn’t easy in the beginning, but I believed in the project and persevered. To say that I was excited the day the first piece came out of the kiln a success is an understatement.

From the beginning, I had two thoughts on how I would navigate this line of ceramics and have it connect to my photography as well as my passions. The first vision was a spongeware background I would glaze onto my bisqueware and then transfer my chosen image on top. I wanted these pieces to evoke a feeling of nostalgia as well as the comforts of the kitchen. Once a few pieces began to take form, I realized these are not just functional but could be decorative. I see them as strong accent pieces to a table setting as well. I like to mix my tableware when setting a table, so it seemed in keeping with my style to create pieces that serve to enhance the table.

My second vision was a vintage line based on tableware I hunted and gathered. For years I have incorporated found items and upcycled them into art. I love seeing something have a second life and being appreciated once again. The vintage tableware pieces I found would dictate their own images. The photo above is of a vintage platter I chose to embellish with my image of scallions. Each piece is unique and food safe.

KTH Kitchen Ceramics truly combines all my loves: produce, flowers, ceramics, table scapes, the kitchen, serving pieces, a love of gardens and farms and all things tended to in them. Bringing back the simple pleasures of growing your own food or buying locally grown food at your farmers markets, preparing a meal and serving it on a treasured vessel. Making each moment of the process beautiful.

Looking back on my work as a photographer there was always an element of nature involved, nostalgia, and perhaps a nod to my British heritage. Nothing would make me happier than years from now for one of my ceramic pieces to become a family treasure. If you turn each piece over my logo appears with a tiny extra image. Each piece comes with a french linen reusable drawstring bag. Everything made with love from my home to yours.

On the Road

Over the past few years, I have occasionally visited local family farms that I gather my produce from at the farmers markets. These visits are both inspiring and fulfilling. Farmers are a unique breed and some of the nicest people I have met. As an avid gardener, I know how happy, whole, and grounded working with the earth can make you feel.

I can imagine working the land and bearing witness to seeds growing into produce that will nurture us being very satisfying. In my small garden, I am able to grow some produce and herbs and many flowers that make me so happy on a daily basis. Not all of growing is satisfying though. Sometimes there is a disease that takes over or even a crop that doesn’t make it. We are merely the caretakers of the land and we do the best we can to feed it with organic ingredients that will produce food and flowers to feed the soul.

I recently posted about setting out to document small family farms across California. I want to bring their stories to life through photographs and their words. Every farm has a different story to tell and I am interested in hearing and piecing together the history of California small family farms, from the struggle to the success. My initial forays have lead me to see their true passion and efforts to further our stewardship of the land through organic and biodynamic farming. There is much to admire about our farmers and their devotion to growing healthy food.

California is blessed with a year-round growing season. We are also on the forefront of the culinary scene, especially in Los Angeles. Our chefs inspire the farmers to grow more unique produce, to search out heirloom varieties and even let their produce go to seed allowing the blooms to take over. For anyone that follows me, you know how much I love produce blooms. They are so photogenic, but I leave the culinary creativity to the chefs.

I look forward to hitting the road and visiting farms in my area and sharing with you their stories. As always, please buy and support your local farmers. I am devoted to the growing of healthy food and the pleasures of the land and all it can offer us.

Being a Multi Hyphenate

As a young girl I had many interests, mostly related to art. I took classes, traveled and researched many careers/lifestyles. I did what every young person should do, explore my options to see what fits.

Suddenly one day my mother said, “You are becoming a jack of all trades, master of none.” I was devastated, and to some extent still am, by that comment. I was on a fabulous path to discovery, one I would wish for any young person and I was grateful to be able to indulge in. I was sowing my roots, as they say, and becoming the woman I was dreaming of when suddenly I hit a road block with that comment. I began to analyze what I was doing and how I could pull it all together into the one thing I was meant to do.

I settled on photography and studied and became a photographer. Throughout it all, I used my camera to explore the world and the options I encountered that inspired me. I used each new series I began with my photography as a way to expand on my creativity and fill a need for new inspiration.

In the last five years, I have allowed myself the freedom to explore again as I did in my youth. I began cooking, styling, writing, painting, gardening, supporting local farms and letting each of these interests take me in the direction that aligns with my life. I had finally let go of the box I had created for myself in the hopes of pleasing my mom. It felt very freeing and from it I found the path that I was always meant to take. I am not the kind of person to focus on one thing. I have a vast interest in many things and a wide eyed view of my surroundings. I am constantly inspired and never bored.

In our ever changing world, we all have the capability to be involved in several things at once. Coining the new phrase multi hyphenate. I could add a few more things to the list of what I do now but you get the idea. It’s ok to be involved and do many things. I find that each influences the other, and while I may not be a master at any, they all fuel my creativity and happiness. Feeling fulfilled in what you do is most important. I love being involved in lots of different things. Every day is a new adventure and a chance at revealing a new side of myself.

At the end of the day, even though she is not around any more, I know my mom would be proud of what I am doing and see the value in exploration. We all need to move forward and not compartmentalize ourselves but allow ourselves to be open to new opportunities. I love being a multi hyphenate and observing how everything I do overlaps and becomes a part of who I am.

Daily Rituals

As we begin a new year, I have been reflecting on many things, but one I would like to share is the art of daily rituals. Rituals give us focus and keep us aligned with our purpose and goals for the day and the future. Set aside some time to think or journal about what it is that you would like to include in your daily life that will compliment it as well as enhance it.

I noticed recently I have been taking care of my home and garden more. Sometimes in the morning I go outside and sweep the porch and clean up some leaves. While I was doing this one day I was reminded of the art of sweeping and how cleansing it can be. The obvious being because it does actually clean the space, but the other benefit is that it can be very meditative. The constant motion of the broom back and forth and the satisfaction of accomplishing something while being lost in your thoughts is a nice way to start the day. The art of sweeping as a daily ritual is also a way of brushing out the unwanted in your life and out of your home.

While everyone’s daily rituals will be different as they are meant to be personable, I think the addition of them is most beneficial. Especially as we navigate the current situation it is important to have rituals we can count on. Rituals can be anything from laying out a plan to eat healthy, rest more, meditate, exercise, cook more, read more, etc. Figure out what is lacking or gnawing at you that you would like to change and see if you can create a ritual that would help to bring that change you would like to see in yourself.

Daily rituals can also be helpful ways to get through the day if you are struggling with coping. The addition of a walk or activities that keep you busy and your mind focused help us mentally. Bare in mind that rituals don’t have to become strict routines resulting in boredom or frustration that they have to be done by the end of the day. Incorporate slowly some rituals that work for you and go from there. Don’t put the pressure on to create a big list that needs to be done everyday. This is all about you and for your benefit. Maybe your rituals will change in time. Always re-evaluate your course and make corrections as appropriate. Make 2021 about self-care and refocus and balancing your days with what you need to be the best you can be for yourself and others.

A Season for Giving

As I write this on the eve of Giving Tuesday, I am hoping this year, more than ever, people will consider giving the gift of a donation to so many who are in need right now. Aside from restaurants being close to my heart, the small farms that supply them with food are at the beginning of the chain. We need to support them and help them continue growing and providing us with healthy food.

Our farmers are an essential business. Without them, we may be relying on foods that are modified or grown in ways we would not consider good for the environment or our health. In our current state, what could be more important than nurturing our bodies with healthy food. As we hunker down for the holidays to enjoy some good meals with family, we must be grateful and thankful for our farmers that dedicate their lives to providing us with produce, herbs, and beautiful flowers to grace our tables.

While it seems a common part of life to have those things readily available, we now have to step back and realize without our support many of our small farms may disappear. I strongly urge everyone to shop local, go to your farmers markets and if you can make a donation tomorrow to Farm Aid, please do. Farm Aid has long supported small farms, and I have been a supporter for a few years now. While many organizations are in need, I would like to highlight Farm Aid as one that means a great deal to me.

I recently was looking on their website and saw a number to call if you are a farmer in need. As if that wasn’t lovely enough, underneath it said if you are not a farmer and just need a person to talk to please call. I am so touched by this organization and what they do. We as a nation, need to get back to our roots. If this time has taught us anything it is to feed our minds, bodies and souls well. To nurture family and friends and even strangers by providing a good meal. Bless our farmers and blessings to you all on this giving season.

To support our farmers, please go to farmaid.org and donate. Any amount is appreciative.

“Art On Your Own Terms”

To be able to paint has long been a desire of mine. I am often caught up in life and can’t stop the motion of it all to focus on a new pursuit. However, with our current situation, I am finding the time to take a few painting classes and my life long dream of painting is coming true.

To sit calmly and paint, regardless of how it comes out, is so meditative. I enjoy moving paint around on the canvas and the freedom to not have it be anything but what I want it to be, which sometimes is just a mess of paint. I decided to not be pigeon holed into what I thought my paintings should look like but instead to let it flow and see what happens. One day I was at the end of my class and hating my painting. I decided to just mess around and throw some paint on it and cover up what I had done. I liked the fresh start and the idea that nothing is permanent. Within minutes I felt the empowerment of picking up my brush and starting over. How often in life do we get to do that? Scrap everything and start over with better results. Not an easy thing to do but I learned that day, that at least in painting, it is possible and necessary.

Finding a good painting teacher is like finding a good therapist. If you don’t click and there isn’t a sense of comfort to express yourself then you end up not getting what you want/need out of it. For me the purpose of this pursuit is not only a longing to paint but a therapeutic moment that brings me calmness and reminds me to slow down. It demands my focus and attention and rewards if I do so.

All this to say, I am a believer in art therapy and “art on your own terms.” The later quote was heard in an interview recently, and I can’t seem to shake what that means. Life should be on our own terms, what we choose to pursue, experience and love. So why should art be any different? What this quote means to me is the freedom to create and have it be both mentally and physically rewarding. Ultimately it doesn’t matter what the painting looks like. It’s the experience that is the gift as well as knowing that I was able to make time in my life for a new pursuit that will now become a part of my life.

Farmers Market Gather

My weekly ventures to the farmers market have turned into bi-weekly ventures. I am finding now that it is hot, my summer fruits, herbs and flowers do not last as long. I am also cooking more than usual and I have a hard time thinking out the week and planning what I want to eat. I like to be inspired during the day what I want to make for dinner and what is fresh at the market. I have that old school European way of going to the market daily to see what is fresh.

I decided to try out some new farmers markets, since I am needing to go more often to see what they have to offer. While I still love my local one best, I have found new varieties of produce and met so many nice new farmers. These days, as we stay close to home, it is hard to feel inspired by much. A simple trip across town to explore a new market was up lifting. Anything you can do to change your routine will always bring about a new mindset, and hopefully a positive one.

Every trip to a farmers market whether it be my local weekly one in Santa Monica or a new one, always yields a different basket of produce. No two gathers are the same, and I almost always discover something new or find an old favorite come back into season. So I am always inspired to photograph, style and cook my way through the next few days until I venture back again.

Hope you all are finding some happiness in the simple pleasures of life right now. I am happy to see more people supporting the farmers markets and their local growers as well as a renewed interest in gardening. As we pivot to meet the times, there is much good we can recognize about this moment. We are all spending more time with family and enjoying meals together as well as a new found appreciation for where our food comes from and how it is grown. I personally have spent a lot of time in my garden and have so enjoyed the cycle of each season and knowing that like the garden, all things can grow back stronger.

Summer Plans

This summer is about creating new memories and staying close to home. While I am missing going abroad, I am enjoying time at home and planning a few road trips and day excursions. We sometimes forget how much there is to do close by and even in our own home town. It can be fun to be a tourist in your own city.

I love exploring Los Angeles. We have so many diverse neighborhoods that it feels like you went out of town for the day. I would imagine wherever you live there are things nearby to visit. From a day hike and picnic to a walk through a town that you always said you would see or a visit to a beach just past the one you usually go to, there are so many ways to turn this summer around and make it fun. All it takes is an open mind and some creativity.

A road trip is the way to go right now. I am excited to go somewhere new. More than likely I will go North. I am a Northern California girl. So many farms and great landscapes on the way to photograph. Would be fun to explore farmers markets in new locations as well. Look to your passions to lead your adventures.

I am also finding a day at home that I can turn into a staycation can be really fun. For me, I love to walk, garden, read, cook and putter around the house. Sometimes I lay out in a bikini because the feel of the sun on my skin reminds of being a kid. It seems so carefree and indulgent. Maybe some of your childhood memories of simple summer activities are ones to bring back now with your family or enjoy on your own. Whatever you come up with it will be a summer to remember.

Happy exploring!