Is It Art, Or Tableware? By sizwizz on Jul 03, 2008 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

My husband worked in Mississippi for a few months back in 2005. Since I technically lived in our home state, I would travel to Mississippi to stay with him periodically. (I know... it sounds weird!) I had never been to the Deep South before, but I soon fell in love with the state.

By the time Christmas rolled around that year, the job in Mississippi was done, and he was back home again. He knew how much I loved everything about the south, especially that state. I loved the people, the scenery, the history, and the FOOD! What a surprise when I opened my Christmas gift, and it was a handmade ceramic bowl made by a local artist from Mississippi! The shape wasn't round, and not square, it was 8 sided. The artist hand painted ‘all things Mississippi' on it, in almost childlike artwork. I think that's what I love about it the most! It's so simple, and the colors are excellent. She painted things on the bowl that are specific to the state. On the back of the bowl, is the artist's signature.

The artist's name is Rhonda Rayborn. I won't go into her bio, or history, but here's a link if you'd like to see some of her other work. http://www.scribd.com/word/full/2663145?access_key=key-s6fsuavir6sra77hwg4

The bowl is so cool; I almost hate to use it, but use-it I do. When it's not holding some tasty dish, it sits on a display stand in my kitchen my guests can share my memories of Mississippi. As long as I have this bowl, I'll never forget my time spent there, and the many things I loved.