My pottery destiny

A couple years ago I was in Nova Scotia. We stopped in a tiny little town near Peggy's Cove for lunch. The restaurant was this wood-sided building, run by two older women. Chalkboard menu of the day's offerings. Small dining room looking out onto their patio and, beyond that, a little canal. Ordered the seafood chowder (it was a very chowder-y trip) which was absolutely amazing. Served in deep royal blue bowls. Large chunks of seafood and fish in a tasty, opaque broth. Every bite, almost too big for the spoon, was a treat. The best part was the end. As I made my way to the bottom of the bowl, I started seeing this orange colouring. I was curious and yet, didn't want the chowder to end. Torn between rushing and savouring. Finally the soup was gone and the surprise was revealed. Shaped into the bottom of the bowl was this bright orange-red lobster! (Nostalgia kicks in as I remember my childhood cereal bowl with The Three Bears on the bottom - matching plate even!) The bowl was so adorable I had to have it. (I adore bowls. Not as much as shoes, but definitely still an adoration. Can there be degrees of adoration?) Bought four. Artist's name and location etched on the underside of the bowl.

Fast forward to tonight. I'm (finally) doing some tidying/cleaning. I'm putting away birthday gifts. A set of mugs my friend bought for me when she was in Nova Scotia over Christmas. I flip them over to see if there's any information regarding dish-washer suitability. There is a name and location etched into the bottom. Why does it look so familiar?

I go to the cupboard. I pull out a lobster bowl. Same artist! Oddly enough, though, different location.

What are the chances I wander into some random lunch place, which happens to sell the bowls it uses and buy them, and then, years later, my friend wanders into some other small store and buys mugs made by the same guy (in the same colour as the lobster in my bowl even!)?! This man is my pottery destiny! And I am, unwittingly, following him through the various chapters of his life.

This can't be a coincidence. One wonders if I need to take another trip to Nova Scotia. I could use some plates.