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Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY)

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May 9, 2002
Section: Neighbors West
Edition: Final
Page: 2
Column: Your Neighbor


"FOLLOW YOUR BLISS,' KIM MARIE SAYS

   Staff writer Sara Errington

Staff writer Sara Errington interviewed Spafford resident Kim Marie, who owns a pottery studio/gallery at her home.

Name: Kim Marie Home: Route 41, Spafford.

Originally from: Canton area, but I was born in Utica.

Education: SUNY Potsdam and North Syracuse High School.

How did you become a potter: I was a bookkeeper for 20 years, and my girlfriend started wearing a button saying "This is not a dress rehearsal." I decided to look at Potsdam State and when I saw this room full of dusty old Randall motorized kick wheels, I knew what I was going to do with my life.

Where can people see your work? The pottery fair in August put on by Syracuse Ceramics Guild, and the wine festival in Watkins Glen. Stopping by my house is always an option. I recommend people call first. My Web address is http://www.kimmariefinepottery.com

Words that describe my community: Open spaces

I like: Seeing deer and wild turkeys walking through my yard.

When I'm not working: I like to putter in the yard. I like to work on new strange things.

Something that bugs me about my favorite grocery store: Having to use cards to get deals. I find that annoying. All the stores have them now, and they don't like it when you pull out the wrong one.

Family: Husband, Homer Mitchell. We wouldn't even look at houses in Homer because of that. Homer's a nice place, he just didn't want to be Homer from Homer. We didn't know our mailing address would be in Homer.

Strangest lawn ornament in my neighborhood: I've got it. It's a hand that has a little head sticking out of the palm. I was trying to do an elegant vase, but I got a little punchy in the studio one day.

Best advice: Follow your bliss. That's from Joseph Campbell.

Favorite phrase: Quiet the chatter. Inner voices speak softly.

Favorite food: Bok choy stir fry with mushrooms

Food I despise: Meat. It's really hard to find things in a restaurant that don't have meat.

If I could invite four people to dinner (dead or alive) they would be: Joseph Campbell (a writer), Maria Martinez (a potter), Georgia O'Keeffe (a painter), Tony Butcher (a photographer) We would discuss art and life and love. Just anything.

Best vacation I ever took: I went to a pottery workshop in Vermont with Robert Compton.

If I won the lottery: After paying bills? The first thing that came to mind is getting a pug mill. It cost $2,000.
Illustration: PHOTO
Stephen D. Cannerelli/Staff photographer
SPAFFORD POTTER Kim Marie gave up a career as a bookkeeper to follow
her interest in pottery. Color.

Copyright, 2002, The Herald Company

article purchased for reprint by the Borodino Bullett.