Metaphoric Vessels — Lois Harbaugh

"Rock-in-My-Shoe Zen Garden Ewer"

Rocks turn over to become cups.

Geta version of "Rock-in-My-Shoe Zen Garden Ewer."

"The Unseen Hand"

Northwest Designer Craftsmen sometimes uses a theme for an exhibition or a fund-raising show. The shoes were for “Fantasy Footwear.” The plate with the glove illustration was for “The Glove Project,” a fund-raiser for the Living Treasures video project.

Metaphoric Vessels made for NWDC Theme Projects

The idea of a rock in my shoe at a Zen Garden inspired this ewer, made for NWDC’s “Fantasy Footwear” show. The lid is my hand-made rock. More hand-made rocks surround the shoe .. some turn over to become cups. I loved dwelling in this metaphor. Is the rock an impediment to enlightenment — or part of the path?

“The Unseen Hand” holding a nature decorated garden glove was another favorite idea. We see the creation but not the hand that made it. Trying to make a barely visible hand was the challenge here.