I am back in Skaelskor after 2 days in Copenhagen. I have lots of photos and lots of stories so look for multiple posts over the next couple days. I am back in the US on Nov. 4th.
Enjoy.

On Sunday I finally made some head way in the studio. Here is my self-portrait emoticon, 40cm x 50cm

When I first arrived in Skaelskor I was greeted by succession of modern windmills. Before I left I really wanted to see them up close. So after leaving Borreby Castle we headed toward the windmills off in the distance. I was hoping to hear if the windmills made any sounds, but the day of our ride the wind was almost nonexistent. The silence in Skaelskor is almost maddening, it is wonderful and at the same time eerie.

Saturday should have been spent in the studio, but it ended up being a day of leisure. We borrowed the centers bicycles and set out. Our first destination was a local castle. Along the way we cut through ribbons and ribbons of spider web strung across the road. We found a plaque that described Borreby castles history . The castle and grounds still have people living in it, there were so many interesting details. Earlier that morning we all heard what we thought were gun shot after gun shot. Once inside the castle grounds it was apparent what all the noise was from. Some 400 plus quail lay in presentation from the earlier shoot. We arrived as the hunters were filing by in full hunting gear. The sport of killing bothered me, I hope they will at least be eaten.

Friday night we were all ready for a little action so we went on a pub crawl visiting the two bars Skaelskor has to offer. The first bar we went to was dead, it seems everyone waits until 12:00 to hit the bars because it is to expensive. Ingrid wanted peanuts and we were refused because people were smoking. YES, you read correctly. They were not allowed to sell us peanuts because patrons were smoking. It has something to do with Danish law. Then we hit the other bar and it was much livelier. We thought we would play a game of pool only it was completely different. They did their best to explain it but in the end we just made our own rules. It's a combination of pool and bowling with out the nachos and stinky shoes.

While the workshop participants finished their work I spent some time in the yard surrounding the center. Here you can see the center from the backyard which include the tree with one eye or a butt, a brick tower, a cement sculpture and our unofficial Skaelskor mascot Cecil the crab.

Friday lacked drama so Ingrid decided to added a little of her own. Nick and Ingrid stayed up all night firing a small wood fire kiln and in the course of chopping wood Ingrid tried to chop off her fingers as well. There was a lot of blood, but everything was okay in the end. That night I was asked to grate beets which given what I had seen only hours earlier was really hard to stomach.

On Friday, everyone was either trying to finish work or trying to get in one last piece. In the end everything worked out and I think everyone walked away having learned something.

At the center teams of people take turns making dinner for the group. The US team, consisting of Ingrid, Nick and honorary member Hrefna(iceland) treated the group to a classic American dinner of meatloaf, baked mac'n cheese, peas and carrots and for desert homemade chocolate ship cookies. I know some of them thought it was a bit much but I loved it. Overheard: "that heavy American food" Huh! I was little worried what the food was going to be like here, but I have to say I have had some great meals.

Everyone was excited to printing and the studio was a buzz with energy long into the wee hours. With everyone busily at work I enjoyed a local beverage.

Here are some pics from Thursday's class print bonanza.

On Thursday, everyone had images on screens and were eager to print. In between answering questions and lending a hand I made some bits from my demo.

In the main house there is this really funny fire blanket kit that as far as I can tell says in case of fire put on high heels and wrap myself in the fire blanket and roll.

Well the three of us from the US have been thoroughly enjoying the Danish beer selections. We found one locally brewed beer called Harboe Bjørne Bryg to be quite nice. The locals say it is really cheap beer and turn their noses. I guess it is the Danish PBR but we love it.

Well, today is the final day of the workshop and while we did have some bumps in the road it seems to have been a success. I have aged 10 years in the process. Lots of photos will try to post more later today.

Well I have been a little to busy to blog much the last couple of days. The group is making progress and I hope enjoying themselves. I was not wrong about the orginal bulb, it was most likely damaged in transit. The people kept telling us you cannot see the light because it's UV. Uhmmmmmmm. What? Well, I ran a test exposure today showing what different exposures would produce. Most of the screens seem to be working out. Tomorrow will be a full on work day for the participants. Okay time for bed.

DANISH RAMEN: THE UNBOXING. Well I finally cracked open my Danish ramen noodles which included dried veggies, packet of beef flavor, pouch of mystery oil, lil fork and napkin. It was your typical airport vending machine ramen. It's the closest thing you'll come to a Chinatown.

I present to you the Skaelskor workshop participants. I have never had my EVERY move in photoshop photographed by a digital camera.

Today was the first day of my workshop and things went pretty well. We have some obstacles to overcome but everyone seems patient enough. Its been a long day and I am off to bed.

Well, I had another pretty much sleepless night. Saturday was a really good day, I was in the studio feeling good about myself and making work. I woke up to a great sunrise, only to head into the studio only to see my piece had a giant crack in it. I let out a YELL that sent birds flying out of trees for a 10 miles radius. I yelled and I yelled again. Some time I really hate clay.

So with the crack being so large I scrapped my work and started over and cranked out two new pieces only to have them crack as well. I am not sure if it is me or the clay body. My studio mates have been really supportive and did what they could to keep me from losing it. It seemed I just can't catch a break. I soldiered on with my day and my lists of things to do while continuing to try and salvage the new work.

I went in for a second and was greeted by an amazing breakfast that I could not pass up. I wrapped up the day with getting the studio ready for tomorrows workshop and finished the work I started at least enough to show the workshop participants. I doubt either piece will come out of the kiln a success.

Tonight the group decided to skip the two bar pub crawl and instead we had a pizza, beer and movie party. The pizza choices here are WEIRD. You can get spaghetti on your pizza. If you look closely there is a veggie pizza and the other has shredded ham strips that resmble pasta, bacon and onion. It didn't look good but tasted good. I am with a really good group of people who are great to be around. Oh, the other strange thing is if you look at the guy on the pizza box he is not wearing any pants? What am I supposed to read into that?

It felt really good to be in the studio actually working. I am trying and idea I have had for a while stay tuned to see if it works out. Here are a series of photos from the studio today.

Going to the market can be a little confusing. If you look at this carton by its name its apple juice? But it is actually orange juice. CRAZY. I meant to write about this early but it fell through the cracks.

My body is still fighting with my Chicago timezone so I am getting a late start today. Went for a run today out through what is the industrial area of Skaelskor. I saw tons of great imagery. The work that will come from my visit probably won't start until I get home and process all the visual information I am taking in. Not to far from here are giant modern electricity generating turbines. I will post photos of them in the next day or so. Time to get showered and into the studio.

Today was a very tiring day. I solved one problem only to have others takes its place. I am told the Danish are very patient, I hope the people coming have a sense of humor too. I worked a power washer today trying to blast out old images from past visitors. It seems BLEACH is a four letter word in Denmark. We scoured the grocery store in search of bleach but much of it is diliuted with something flowery. I am cold wet and frustrated. If I was a conceptual artist I could talk about the images that are not there.

Thankfully I brought some of my own supplies but I still need to pull a rabbit out of my hat.

Well, I think I slept an hour last night. I tossed and turned thinking about all I need to do today. I wish there were an off switch on my head sometimes. Today might be a little light in the blogging as I prepare for Monday. On Saturday we are off to explore the Danish pub scene which I am really looking forward to already.

Today I went shoping for dinner with three people from the States. It sounds like they've been away from home for quite a while. Craving a little bit of home they made burgers on the grille with homemade french fries. While we were out I managed to find the Danish version of ramen noodles, I'll let you know how they turn out. Here are some pics from our adventure.

In the windows of the studio they have created sealed display cases that house work from past artists. In one of the windows you can see a classic Paul Scott willow.

Today they started clearing out the space for my workshop. It's progress, slow but progess. I have so much to sort out before Monday. I eat stress for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Well the sun is shining today probably in the lower 50's temperature wise and VERY windy. More often than not overseas workshops take a great deal of patience. In the US we are a bit spoiled, everything is I need it yesterday or can you FedEx that to me for tomorrow. Elseware things move at a more relaxed pace which can be a litle unnerving. I still get frustrated but having a gone through this process several times now I am starting to understand it is just part of the process. I hope to post some progress later today.

I some times leave out details or assume people know what I am talking about. So here's a recap. I am currently in Skælskør, Denmark, I was invited here to give a 5 day workshop on my ceramic print process. I've been invited to stay at the center with the opportunity to work away from my kaotic life.

When I started doing this nearly 15 years ago there were no books. I was totally unaware others were also exploring print and clay. I developed solutions to my specific problems some of which are unique to me. Printing on clay is tricky at best and even after 15 years I still don't have it sorted out. No two prints are ever a like and I like that fact.

To see more of my work visit www.yosoh.com

Its funny many of the sites I visit see my location as Denmark and all the content is displayed in Danish. I need to figure out how to over ride this if possible. I've had a chance to snap some pics of the main center where I am staying and it is really quite nice. There is a really homey feel about it. In the pics you will see the kitchen, some cups, the common areas, the TV room and so on.

The building I am in is really nice I am hoping to take pic later today depending on the lighting. Here are two photos of my room.

Woke up around 3am and tossed and turned. It's so quite here you can hear a mouses heart beat. I am used to Chicago with its exchange of gun fire, the local bum dropping every lid of every can and the overhead neighbor who insists I listen to his bad collection of music. It is now 9 am or so 2 am in Chicago. I had wanted to go running but its raining out so I will have to for go those plans.

Well, now I am settling into my room. I met the residents who are here now 3 of which are from the US so I should have some accomplises in checking out the local pubs. Each night people take turns cooking dinner. Tonight we had veal, fresh bread, potatos and a tasty vegtable. It is erily quite here compared to my Chicago apartment. I am still jet and xanax lagged. Still lots to sort out before I can start making work. Here is a pic out my window at the studios across the way.

Well, I arrived in Denmark. Had to get on a trail and wouldn't you know it I got on the wrong train. Had to get off at the next stop and find the right train. Then I fell asleep luckily the conductor came back and woke me up or I would still be on the train.

After I made it to my destination I had to take a bus along the way I saw this graffiti which reads "Killing in the name of GOD."

On my way out to O'hare airport I road in an entirely empty car. In the 10 years I have lived in Chicago this had never happened to me.

Well I am off to Denmark today, I am going to try and update this blog on a daily basis so others can share my adventures.
This is my first attempt at blogging so we will see how this goes. Hope you enjoy.