Jay Jasper's Blog, page 34

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk; Look At It In Awe.

Athena’s Trick, tells the harrowing tale of a new mother, a (surprise, surprise) vengeful goddess Hera, would be witch midwives, snakes in a cradle, subterfuge, the power of breast feeding and a tale of spilt milk that ends in a beautiful finish.

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Hera we go again!

Io‘s descendant, Alcmene was excited. She was pregnant and about to give birth to a child. But she had a secret that wasn’t kept very well. The father of her child to be was none other than Zeus. He was up to his old philandering ways again, and Hera was none to pleased. As usual.

Mount Olympus has no fury, like a goddess scorned, particularly if that goddess is named Hera.

I bet that wasn’t on the gift registry!

Hera was up to her old tricks again, triggered by yet another mistress of Zeus. What do you get your husband’s mistress for a shower gift? If you’re Hera, first you send over a couple of witches while the child is being born. And if that doesn’t work you put a couple of snakes in the child’s cradle.

But Alcmene was no slouch. She knew of Hera’s reputation and had her servants trick the witches. It was her infant child who took care of the snakes, strangling them in his crib.

Don’t bite the nipple that feeds you, you’ll see stars

Alcmene was very concerned for her child’s safety at this point. The situation felt hopeless, but she knew that her son was destined for greatness. She decided to put her faith in the gods hands and brought her son to the woods for her own safety.

It was in the woods that the baby was found by none other than the goddess Athena. Fortunately she had a plan to protect the baby and maybe knock Hera down a notch for her often outrageous and Godzilla behaviour.

She brought the baby to Mount Olympus and gave him to Hera, but told him he was an orphan who needed nourishment. Not knowing the true identity of our hero, Hera allowed him to suckle from her breast. That is until he bit her nipple.

Of course, this caused a great tantrum from Hera, again. She pushed the baby away and her milk fell across the sky.

That’s how the Milky Way was formed!

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Milk. It does the Body Good.

Hera then demanded that Athena take back the child who had attacked her. Still not knowing who the baby really was. Athena fed the child, hoping to gain favour with Zeus and teach her frenemy Hera a lesson. Fortunately for the baby, this further imbued the baby with strength, wisdom and power.

That’s a good thing, because the baby would need all the strength and power he could get, for his name was Hercules, and Hera was just getting started with him.

So now we know not to Cry over spilt milk and to look up at the sky in awe instead.The Milky Way, Our Home.

What did you think of this raku pottery vase and story?

Let me know in the comments below.

Above Our Heads And In Our Drinks 🤔

Whether in fancy tropical drinks, at the beach above your head, in a revolution in Hong Kong, keeping the rain off one’s head in Vancouver, or when dressed up as the Penguin from Batman, umbrellas can be very helpful (and fun!)

And in Strange (but fun!) Days, today is none other than National Umbrella Day and wow could an umbrella have been useful for keeping one safe from the namesake of this vase!

The Nephelai.

Let’s read on!go back to your early years
(or maybe not so long ago)

When was the last time you looked up at the clouds and unleashed your imagination? My doing so inspired both the name and story for this raku vase!

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Raku pottery vase ‘The Nephelai‘ tells the tale of these offspring of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys, who at first glance you may not see, but they definitely have a seat at the table. The water table that is!

They also don’t like Tori Amos very much. Look up at the sky some time and you may see, hopefully only a few, clouds.

Or so you think!

What you might be seeing are the white billowing robes of the mostly transparent, but beautiful Nephelai.

The Nephelai were the nymphs of the sky, and if you’ve ever forgotten your umbrella and then got wet on a rainy day, it’s their fault. For these nymphs were far more than just a pretty face.

They would spend their days collecting water in their cloudy pitchers, carrying them to the heavens. When all the pitchers were full, they would pour them from the heavens and nourish the earth with the water.

Talk about being prepared for a rainy day! Watch out Tori Amos! The next time you are bouncing off clouds you might hit one of the Nephelai and spill their jug.Maybe it’s Tori Amos’ fault when it rains?What did you think of this raku pottery vase, ‘The Nephelai’ and it’s story? And where is your favourite
way to use an umbrella?

6 Tips to Self-Publish Your Book

So you want to self-publish a book?

As you may or may not know, I have self-published my first book. After that, I wanted to share with everyone embarking on the same adventure some tips and things I learned in the process.

Join me as I hop into my time machine to visit my past self with these tips and for the most random musical soundtrack for my journey. Some of these tips may seem obvious, but when you are smack dab in the middle of a major project it can be easy to lose your perspective.

Identify Your Audience & Purpose:

Maybe your book is finished or you are still working on it. You need to ask yourself a few questions. Why are you writing your book? Who will want to buy this book? And most importantly – how does your book benefit the reader?

Knowing this information will help inform your thinking in all of your planning. Whether you are writing a book for a niche audience or the mass market, you need to understand this information.

Channel pure energy into your book.Identify Your Projects Value:

You may be thinking you are writing your book just for you. And maybe you are, but if you want other people to buy it you need to know what value it brings to a potential reader’s life. It might be as simple as bringing beauty to their lives. Maybe it is to entertain, educate or inform? You are going to need to articulate this information succinctly and repeatedly if you want people to buy your book.

Some of the worst lip synching you will ever see! It’s a syn! (Extra points for that musical reference)Take the Time to Make a Project Outline:

Writing a book is a major undertaking. Many writers will create an outline for their book, which helps many immensely. I have news for you. You are going to need an outline for your adventure in self-publishing too. Be sure to include all critical milestones, deadlines you have, and any promotional opportunities you have identified. Make sure you have a clear timeline for your project and build in some extra time, because there is a good chance you will need it.

Keeping time on your side will reduce stress and prevent a mess.Money, Money, Money:

Unless you live in a rich man’s world and that rich man is you or a friend of yours you are going to need a budget for your project. Make sure you get a quote for the printing of your book and any services you may require to get the job done. Set up a full and comprehensive budget for your project that includes printing costs, design and layout costs, shipping and and any promotional costs you may have. Most important – figure out your profit margin so that you can calculate your break even point, which is where you start to make more money than you spend. This may help you identify your sales goals.

Las Vegas or Monaco? I will take Monaco for $500 Alex!Know When to Take Break:

Self-publishing can be full of challenges, particularly if you are new to it! You need to be on your game, which can be hard when you are mired down in deadlines and work. The more relaxed you are the better your work will be. There is a balance you will need to find between the place where you can do the most work effectively and staring at your computer screen struggling to lift your fingers and not break into sobbing. Find yours!

You will make better decisions if you take good care of yourself.Celebrate Milestones, But Keep on Keepin’ On!

So with any luck, your book is printed and copies are on there way to you and those first readers! Take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Remember it is not everyone who can write their own book and even fewer who can get it published. You should be proud! There is nothing like the feeling of holding your first self-published book in your hands. You can count on seeing a few things you may want to change in future printings, and that is okay.

Once you have cleaned up the confetti and recycled the champagne glasses, know it will be time to roll up your sleeves again. You will know need to promote your book and gain readers.

Promoting your book will take strength and fortitude, but it is an investment in yourself!

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below and I will answer. If you are interested in learning more about my journey as an artist and things I have learned along the way, you can subscribe to my newsletter here.

And since I need to follow my own advice, here is where I add a shameless plug for my own book!

Printed copies of my book are ready for order on my website and you can get your copy here!

A Potter’s Dream: Myths and Legends Book – $32

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On The Wheel Wednesday

“Be Royal In your own fashion.” Robert Greene Gentle Red Goblet
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Steel & Leather Goblet
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How do you like to treat yourself?

See more finished pieces here

Inspired by Nature

A big part of my life

Has always been finding my way to nature when I need to recharge my batteries and find inspiration in my life and art. Simply put, nature is my church.

It always surprises, teaches and awes me.

Last weekend was pretty magical.

The sun was shining and I spent some time just absorbing the rays and quietly exploring the beach and wooded trails.

My mind was open to the beauty nature had to offer this weekend and I was not disappointed. There were many ice cakes/blocks on the beach. Worn away by some of the worlds highest tides, but not worn away enough to be carried back to the ocean where they belong.

Their temporary nature just called out to me to take some photos.

Initially, I was just inspired by the beauty of the different shapes.

I then started thinking of how some of those shapes might translate into a sculpture, or a series of them. Hmmm…

On my way back from viewing the ice cakes I noticed this! To me it looks like one of the figures from Easter Island!Is this the Kraft bear on the peanut butter jar, or some ancient alien artifact? You decide!How has nature inspired you?

Or where do you draw your
inspiration from?

Owl Show You Flowers

As sure as the sun rises, spring and summer will come again.

“Happiness held Busy at workis the seed; Floral Owl
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Happiness shared is the flower.” A classic house track– John Harriganare you currently getting your seeds in order for the year? How is that going?

Also f you like our owls, I bet you will like our new bears as well!

Mugshot Monday – Rock

I am a collection of thoughts and memories and likes and dislikes.

I am the things that have happened to me and the sum of everything I’ve ever done.

I am the clothes I wear on my back.

I am every place and every person and every object I have ever come across.

I am a bag of bones stuck to a very large rock spinning a thousand miles an hour.

– Macaulay Culkin Fossils, over 300 million years old, Joggins Fossil CliffsPink Granite Mug
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a beautiful piece of Irish music found while creating this post.Do you have a favourite kind of
rock or mineral?

Februbeary!

Movie Guy Voice

This Year hibernation
has ended early. much more to come
throughout the month!

The Sun Is Shining

Today is Bob Marley’s Birthday!let’s celebrate with a sunny vase and move our dancing feet! Perihelion
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An excellent video about Bob Marley’s music and impactDo you have a favourite Bob Marley song? Share it with us in the comments!

This Week At The Studio In Photos

The lack of leaves allows each tree to be seen individuallyA walk to see a forest friend before the big snow came And then This pergola is quite tall! Candlehouses and pit fired vases in a studio window The Alchemist’s Studio is very in winter and more snow is to come!!That’s been the week here.

How’s your week been?