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February 2008

Rogier, 
 
I can't thank you enough. I was getting mighty depressed with my kiln on the bleak. Thanks to you and my new toggle switch I'm back in business. What a wonderful web site you and your family have. Your all a real inspiration. Thank you , 

Mike from Colorado

 

So I sent a kiln part to a friend, got the following response, enough to make one's head swell ;-) :
 
Rogier!
 
You are a dear, generous man, who obviously follows and lives the religious views he included! Blessings. You ARE a nice Dutchman, truly. Also very handsome it appears.
Lili K.

 

Just wanted to say that your house looks beautiful. And I bet it seems extra special since family, friends, and you two are buidling it by hand. Hopefully this home lasts long after your children live in it and get to tell it's history.
Adam

January 2008

Mr. Donker,

 

I feel very fortunate to have met you and I’m sure I’m a better person for it.  I enjoyed your presentation at the school  today even though I know towards the  end  it was getting tough on you.  

 

Thank You,
Angel S.

July '07

Hi Rogier,

We don't know each other but I've followed your trials, tribulations and triumphs on Clayart. You are just one of the role models for me in the way you live your life, take what comes and keep on keepin' on.

Thanks, Linda

 

....Wow, wow, wow! Hope YOU are doing well, health-wise! I found your note in my kiln! :o) I actually DID use my kiln quite a bit....it just looks so good because I know how to treat it, take care of it, and use it better because this Rogier Donker guy came to HSE and helped me out!

:o)

Carrie

 

Mr. Donker,

Thank you for taking time to come and do a demonstration for our science camp students. Your sharing and interaction with the students helped make my lesson more meaningful. I appreciate you coming at the last minute. Thanks again,

Samantha F.

May '07

Rogier!

Are we having fun yet? It is a joy to watch the progress and know that you are getting very close to having the house "done" (no one is ever done)!

Don R.

 

Ellen & Rogier!

Hearing about your progress has been grand but the seeing is even better.  The house look even bigger on the inside and of course removal of the scaffolding helps.

 

Janice R.

Glad that you are feeling better, Rogier!  Remember during the renovations to stop, relax and enjoy the day, the air and the tranquility, once the power tools stop.

C.R. (relaxes a lot)

December 2006

... That latest addition to the web site is absolutely fabulous. You and Ellen never cease to amaze me.

 

Happy New Year...
Irene M.

November 2006

Rogier!

Well, your positive attitude and dependence on God are a great encouragement! You hang in there, and every time I see your name on Clayart, I will talk to God about you! [Good things, really! ;-D ] Susan P.

 

November 2006

Rogier,

I often read but seldom post on Clayart, so I have enjoyed your website and postings for some time. I am saddened to hear about your silicosis. You are an inspiation, so keep us all posted.

God bless you..

Jo Ann
Dallas

October 2006

I recently gave a kiln workshop for some teachers. The following is an E-mail from one of the participants to the school administrator who set up the workshop:

Oh, Stephanie!  It was wonderful!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Mr. Donker is funny, informative, and helpful with real, classroom situations.  The way in which ceramics was instructed during my under-graduate work was entirely geared towards the ceramicist…not the educator.  Mr. Donker rectified that immediately!  I learned more from him in two hours than in two semesters of ceramics at BSU!  Even the most experienced teacher will take some helpful pointers from this expert!  Thank you for setting this up!  I was only sorry he drove a long distance for two people Linda Hill (HRE) and I.  Let's try to get with the other "powers that be" and have this gentleman conduct an In-Service on one of our Early Release Days!  If not this year (as the schedules may be set) then next!  Many thanks again…and let me know how I can help (I will even host)!

Carrie A.B.
Art Educator

August 2006

Rogier!

Congratulations on the continued progress of your home on the Wabash. Wishing you and your family, especially Elias, well.

Helen from Canada

All right Donkers,
Its all your fault. I was just gandering the clay blogs and I like to check out sites to see what other artist are doing to get my creative juices flowing and then I go to work. usually 15 mins. later... Well 3 hrs later and I haven't even looked at your archives. My families gonna starve cause I've not played in the mud today. Well superman has just got put on the bottom of my hero list. You all are right under my saviour Jesus Christ. Your son has been added to our pray list. Please add my brother Jeff to yours. he's in Baghdad in the civilian police program. Take care and May God Bless You and yours
sister in Christ,
Sheryl

Dear RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrogier,

My wife Paula and I certainly enjoyed spending this past Thursday morning with you and learning of your trials, tribulations, challenges and successes in the building of your GOD's House.

You, Sir, are a most unforgettable character, and we wish you continued success and good health.

Sincerely,

Charles W.

Louisville, Kentucky

Born in Hickman, Kentucky on the banks of the Mississippi River.

July 2006

What an exciting story teller you are of the story of the new house.

I really do want to know about your book of the flood and all the following chapters when it is published. It is clearly evident that in the Donker household the expression: "it can't be done", is non- existent!

Love you both

Jan

Rogier,

The house is looking great. Good luck as you finish it and enjoy the comforts of home again.

David C. A.

'k zal ook maar eens een berichtje sturen (misschien het eerste in het Nederlands?) Jullie nieuwe huis ziet er heel mooi uit , en het is nog niet eens `af. Geweldig knap van jullie om dat zelf allemaal te kunnen bouwen ...en de rest wat jullie kunnen! Hulde!!

Veel liefs, Saskia.

April 2006

I love seeing your recycling of everything. You are right about the dry, brittle wood. Anyway, your home is looking beautiful. Wish everyone had your ingenuity.  You  and  Ellen are such great people. Wish more of America   was  patterned after you. Hope you both take some time off of all your work on a regular basis to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Jim.

Hi Rogier,

 
I just visited your web site and am awed by the versatility of your and Ellen's work, in your pottery, and in all the other things you do. Your cabinetry also looks exquisite, as does Ellen's jewelry. What an amazing couple.

 
Veena
March 2006

Dear Mr. Donker,

I liked your website and thank you for coming to my school Friday December 3, 2005 in class 4N Farmersburg IN. and please come again

Devin T.
Dec. 2005

I have so much enjoyed the "tour" through your web site. I would hope to visit your studio someday since I am also from Indiana. Not an experienced potter...but learning. I appreciate so much your sharing of your faith and will add you to my prayers..safety for your son and success in your rebuilding. God Bless you.
                   
Sally

October 2005

Rogier,

    Thanks for the updates & the pictures!  We're so glad to see your home rising from the banks of the Wabash!  We wish you continued success in the rebuilding.  Isn't it wonderful that God is more reliable than government agencies?!?
                   
Linda M.

March 2005

Rogier!

Thanks for the wonderful pottery workshops....our entire school had a great time and truly reveled in your presence!

Craig  H.
 

December 2004

Great site Rogier!! You have amazing talent!!

                                                   His Lordship

 Rogier!

 ......You have a very nice website, quite interesting and informative!

 John

Dear Rogier,

Bravo! The site looks great, very interesting, lots of very good pics, and I love your philosophy about teaching. Your work is beautiful! Keep on Potting!

Warm regards, Mary K.

November 2004

Rogier!

Welcome to the clayart list. I visited your web site! I have earrings that Ellen made for me  back in the 70's. I also took an Amaco workshop many years ago where you were one of the teachers. I am so glad to see you are both doing well and still together after all these years.  You both are doing great work.

Sandy M.

"......You have a wonderful website. I especially liked the close-up
pictures of you at work. Beginners will appreciate them...."

                                                           Eleanor K.
                                                           Centerport, NY

June 2004

What a great site Rogier. I loved the classes and demonstrations you do and Ellen's jewelry was wonderful too! I could not find the little rabbit story. Lovely site and wonderful things to see, best wishes to you and yours, smiles!

Happy

Feb 2004

Dear Donkers:

Got the "Of God, Faith and Clay" and thought it was great.

Don K.

January 2004

 Dear Rogier

 ....AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING A TRUE TEACHER. 

Marge S.

  

Hi Rogier!

You did a fantastic job with the kids Friday.  They always enjoy spending the day with you.

Rita

 

Great Kiln Workshop

The kiln training was well attended and greatly appreciated by the attendees.  Twenty four elementary art teachers attended with 21 different schools represented. Six Middle School art teachers attended with 5 different schools represented. Seven High School art teachers attended with 3 different schools represented and New Beginnings. The information presented was new and informative to most of us.  Many teachers expressed gratitude for having a workshop that addresses their needs as art teachers.  Thank you both and the staff at Broad Ripple High School for helping to make this happen.  A repeat next year but with additional information on firing techniques for slabs or beads would be a good idea.

 Rose F.

 

August 2003

Dear Rogier,

Thank you for such a wonderful day at your Ceramics Workshop!!!   Honestly, I learned more in the first 30 minutes of your workshop than I learned over a whole year of ceramics in college!!  I can't wait to dig into your manual, study it, & plan what I am going to do differently in my 3-D class this fall.  I especially liked all the information you gave us on glazes & how to make your own. All the technical information on kilns made me feel more at ease about dealing with problems I may encounter in the future. All in all, your workshop was the most thorough ceramics workshop I  have ever attended!! Thank you again & I hope that I can set up a fieldtrip for my students to come to your studio to do some Raku.  I'm sure they would find it very  exciting!

I don't want to forget to thank your wife, also, for the delicious lunch & her hospitality!

You have a nice little paradise down by the Wabash!

 

Sincerely,

Patti M. , Art teacher

June 4th 2003

Mr.Donker!

I am sitting at my desk and have went through two Kleenex so far!   What beautiful pictures.  Just the proposal story had me in tears and then to hear that your brother brought heirlooms from Holland....it was too much. Just showing up from Holland was wonderful!   So thank you very much for my puffy eyes and red nose for the rest of the day but they are truly beautiful memories and I will wish good thoughts for a happy future for your newlyweds.  May they bless you with at least a few grandchildren to spoil! 

Robin D.

April 2003

Dear Mr. Donker,

I enjoyed talking with you today on the phone. My boss, had  seen your presentation on PBS broadcasting and  called his friend to let her know. Of course, she already knew about it and shared with him your whereabouts, which happen to be very close to where I live. I have only begun to explore your website and I have already found it very interesting. I hope to get directions to your studio, so I can come and meet you and your family and to see all the interesting things you have there.

Sincerely,

Brenda N.

March 2003

Haven't looked at your web site since last year around Clay City Pottery Festival time. Loved the additions, especially the CROSS, which is in my home town, and the Snow Roller's. We had so many in our alfalfa field in front of the house I thought the two boys were out horsing around late that night!! Looking forward to seeing you again at the Clay City Fest in June.

Robin W.

......Your visit to our art classes yesterday is much appreciated. I know you'll be pleased to know students thought you were "cool". The intensity of your "teaching" kept their attention. I know I learned the most and will continue to learn as I read and reread your book. I appreciate your advise in regard to the kiln sitter and wheel. Students are anxious to try wheel throwing..we will see.

Thanks again, Rita F. Cloverdale H.S...

Mr. Donker~

I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your presentation so much! Before you came, I was kind of nervous about throwing on the wheel, but now I'm more confident about it! Thank-you for helping me make the "75% Meg" vase! Hope you get to feeling better.

Meg W.

Mr.Donker

Thank you very much for coming to our school. I always enjoy my time in art class when you come. Even though its my last year I hope to see you again sometime.

Cindy H.

Mr. Donker,

Thank you very much for spending time each year to demonstrate the proper handling and use of clay. It has really helped me when I throw or even hand build. Thank you again for your time. I hope you feel better soon and I hope your test went well.

Renata H.

Hey Mr. Donker!!

Thank you again so much for coming back again to show us more to know about pottery. No matter how many times you have come, you always are able to impress me and the rest of the students on how quick and amazing you are on the wheel. It really is cool how you sit there and try to teach someone how to wedge and center for 20 minutes, then you just are able to do it in 10 seconds. I hope you are doing great, we are all thinking about you.

*~* Abigail H. *~*

...... I have had the opportunity to see your demonstration each year that I have taken art, and each year I think I've seen something new. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent with our classes.

~Neysa P

......Thank you for coming to our school, I really enjoyed your new jacket and clay performance.

Lindsey B

.......I visited your web site as you encouraged me to do. It was very interesting. I am fascinated with castles. Perhaps we can talk about your memories some evening over a cup of coffee and watch the mighty Wabash. It was great to meet the two of you. Thank God you won that bout with pancreatitis and I admire your deep faith in the Lord.

Shawn P.

Mr. Donker -

Might I suggest that before you urge people to check your site, that you include a disclaimer: "Beware: by viewing this site you might be compelled to pack up your belongings and move to Indiana". Your down-to-earth lifestyle as portrayed on the site is so enticing! I'm very impressed by your beautiful pieces of artwork. Pottery is something I've always had an interest in. I took classes in high school, and ever since then, it's been a "one day, when I have time" type of dream. I am interested in your book.  What is the cost? Thanks, and God bless.

Trish

Rogier:

It was great running in to you at Clay City Today. We enjoyed our visit very much. The Raku demonstration was great and my wife enjoyed her participation greatly. Hope to visit your studio in the near future. It was shades of our earlier sessions at UHS. We have spent the evening scanning your web site, which is fantastic. We want to pass the site to our family and friends. The slides of endangered species are absolutely artistic wonders as well as biologically SUPER.

Tom & Donna Risinger

"Mr. Donker,

Thank you for being such a great artist and an overall neat person.

Love always, Heather"

Rogier,

I enjoyed the story of the Bell and the Belfry. It is wonderful to have things like this happen and allow some of the fond memories from long ago to come into one's life. There is nothing better than to take a stroll down memory lane to revive the soul and bring a smile to the face.

Darwin.

Rogier, that's the coolest pottery I've ever seen! Gorgeous stuff. I am always amazed by your perfect shapes and spectacular glazes and patterns.  Your work is food for soothing the soul.

George