This is a piece of pottery by artist John Bloomquist. He’s from Kane, PA, and he was my elementary school art teacher. (he was, by the way, the world’s coolest elementary school art teacher.)

I learned a lot from Mr. B. Like using thin dabs of glue, and Roy G. Biv, and how to tell a killer ghost story. He retired a few years ago and has been dedicating himself to his art. I wonder who they hired to fill his amazingly large shoes.

I own a lot of his pottery. My family became regular customers, so much so that we got a family discount. I’ve given his pieces as gifts to many friends as well. Mr. B used to have a website, but it doesn’t seem to be in existence any longer.

For the past few years, I’ve been able to visit Mr. B at his booth at the Allentown Art Festival. This year, though, he wasn’t able to come. You see, this spring, he suffered a stroke. From what I understand, he’s recovering well, and I continue to think of him often, hoping that he’s able to get back to his art…it must be a horrible thing for an artist, to be unable to create.