The Origins of Summer Green
The name “Summer Green Pottery” comes from my Chinese name, Xia Qing (pronounced “Sha Ching”), which means Summer Green. In China, children in a family share part of their names, so my younger brother’s name meant “Summer Cloud.” The calligraphy "Summer Green" on this web site was painted by my favorite uncle, Sau Hai Lam.
My story
My interest in pottery started in 2008 when I took my first pottery class with master potter, John Macomber at Greenleaf Pottery in South Windsor, CT. I have continued my work there developing my skills at the wheel as well as hand building and slab work. I enjoy experimenting with glazes and colored slip (liquid clay) for decoration.
I am a family physician by training and was in private practice for 32 years at Windsor Family Medicine in Windsor, CT. My practice included obstetrics for 25 years. I am continuing my medical career working in medical education. I am an author for a continuing medical education course for family doctors. For me, making pots is like delivering a baby - It takes patience and is "done by feel." Delivering babies brought me great joy for years; pottery brings me that same joy now.
I am a family physician by training and was in private practice for 32 years at Windsor Family Medicine in Windsor, CT. My practice included obstetrics for 25 years. I am continuing my medical career working in medical education. I am an author for a continuing medical education course for family doctors. For me, making pots is like delivering a baby - It takes patience and is "done by feel." Delivering babies brought me great joy for years; pottery brings me that same joy now.
My parents came from China in the late 1940s. My father, Wen, was a professor of civil engineering, but he was an artist at heart who loved to draw, paint, sculpt and make stained glass. Some of his work is shown to the left.
My mother, Ming, was the author of a Chinese cookbook but was also a skilled fabric artist who enjoyed knitting, crocheting and quilting. Some of her work is shown to the left.
sI am blessed to have two wonderful children - Daniel and Alexandra. Daniel is a computer programmer who works for Microsoft. He and his wife live in Colorado Springs, CO, along with their daughters, Adalyn and Elena. Alex is an emergency medicine physician at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. She and her wife, Nancy live in Connecticut along with their son, Ian Michael and Noah Richard.