(L. to r.) Eugene Lion, 22.25cm; Gramann Römhild, 21cm; Bay Keramik 75-20, 20cm

Summer and its unrelenting heat always bring to mind memories of getting away to the ocean or sea for relief. I’ve been fortunate enough to swim in the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, the Carribean and the Mediterranean and each has its own character and color — both of which change depending on the time of year and time of day! These three pieces illustrate the effect nicely. The Gramann Römhild’s undulating seafoam green, which looks almost good enough to dive into, seems to hide a turtle or a ray beneath the surface. The Bay brings to mind high noon in July at Laguna Beach, with giant kelp and sea grasses swirling in the cold water around you. Then there is the Eugene Lion, with its glaze suggesting gentle waves lapping late in the day upon a soft sandy shore — a remarkable feat of glazing, considering the vase was created in France in the early 1900s! It fits in well with its more modern compatriots, though. When it comes to the love of the sea and art, plus ça change indeed!