John and Robin Gumaelius
John and Robin Gumaelius combine ceramic, wood and metal to create sculpture that is inspired by their natural environment. They commune with their surroundings – speaking to birds is commonplace. Robin stated that "John practices (talking), and the birds seem to listen. They bob their heads looking at him with one eye and then the other. They do that to me too, though I’m too embarrassed to talk to them out loud. I stare at them as they pick the seeds out of my garden. They laugh, I think they can read my mind."
The painted ceramic surfaces of the birds and figures tell stories. Stories can include "history, books, biking adventures, strangers viewed from afar, gardening notes" for example. These stories "jangle in our heads and come so freely to our fingers that when we see the pieces finished we are often delighted -- as if we are not their creators; they just come to talk with us for a while and then leave again". Just like the birds in their garden.
Right, Fencing the Goat.