I found it quite odd and rather annoying to go through such clandestine activities just to talk to someone about Harding's work.

However, I realize that perhaps the folks who know and appreciate his art are themselves rather like Harding himself, and so I acquiesce to your quirks. Okay, I've vented, now listen!!

I have two pieces of Harding's very early work, his earliest work (that I know of) with blue glazes.
These are small, hand thrown red clay bowls. The larger, about 6" high, is ringed, with turquoise glaze only on the rim and in the inner rings.
The smaller, about 2" high, has much smaller rings and a crackled turquoise glaze interior which appears to "drip" over the edges of the bowl.

Both pieces are hand-signed "Harding Black 1945".

I have loved these pieces for many, many years. In fact, the most interesting thing about them to me, is that they were personally gifted to my Great-Aunt from Harding Black himself. The actual facts are a little vague, but I do believe that Harding and my Aunt Dena had a romance.

I remember as a child many years ago hearing whispered family stories of Dena's loves and romances. She never married. One of her loves became a prominent Judge, another a famous Doctor. She used to talk about "Harding" on the rare occasions she decided to favor us with stories from her past.

Dena at that time (the 1920's) lived in San Antonio. Dena attended school there for awhile, then left to finish her Education at UT in Austin. She returned to SA in the late 20's, early 30's, where and when I think she may have met Harding Black. Dena herself was a (closet) free-spirit, and VERY artistic, and I think she and Harding shared a deep interest in his art.
In fact, in the late 50's and through the 60's, I remember she was quite involved in different types of glass and acrylic art, in the cloisine fashion. Not a painter, she loved textural art.

When Dena passed, I inherited her estate, which included many magnificent century-old china, porcelain pieces, figurines, and of course, her favorites, Harding Black's two little bowls.

I've wondered, since she never told me, and I've never seen any other piece like them, if Harding made these little bowls just for her, or if they worked on them together, or if he just gave them to her as a gift.

I'll send you a photo as soon as I figger out how. I'm pretty smart, but this techno-thing flusters me something awful....

Any ideas/input??? Thanks Cate Shaw (Just call me Cat)