Life in the Studio

Starred review from August 1, 2020
This very intimate portrait of a potter, gardener, photographer, and entrepreneur is guaranteed to, as its title insists, inspire. Connecticut artisan Palmer bequeaths readers with lessons learned over 30-plus years, whether they're couched in generalities (perseverance is key) or on the specifics of her multi-faceted work (clay has personality, the allure of glazes, the steps of throwing a pot, among others). Latter ruminations, which on their surface are about her crafts, have grander applications: seeking the soul of porcelain reveals a quest for lifelong learning (Potter immersed herself in a month-long course in China). Her eight finishing touches center on the importance of details, like handles and pedestals and fluting. Her anecdotes are touching and revealing?her brother's early death form heroin overdose instilled the goal of self-reliance. She believes in the importance of bold guffaws and belly laughs. An unexpected bonus are the nearly ten recipes, classic yet with a twist. And the eye candy she provides in the way of photography demands to be viewed again and again and again. Includes sources and further reading.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)