tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22336427527373781652024-02-06T18:32:57.017-08:00A. Sartorius Ceramics A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-9210850380062773542014-06-04T19:16:00.002-07:002014-06-04T19:16:28.920-07:00The first of many, and cleaning time. <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; line-height: 25.760000228881836px;">Hey there fellow pottery enthusiasts! This week we'll start a new tradition. Every Thursday I'll try to mention two potters whose work is inspiring me. The number of incredible contemporary potters is truly a vast and deep well filled with awesome pots! So let's jump in with this weeks artists. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; line-height: 25.760000228881836px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; line-height: 25.760000228881836px;">“If I don’t love and encourage a piece of clay, if I don’t help it inch its way along to become the most beautiful thing I want it to become, it’s sort of a futile process to me. The need to feel all of this as humans [support and encouragement] is synonymous to making a pot because it’s intimate in the same sort of way.” - <a href="http://mcgovernpottery.com/" target="_blank">Matthew McGovern </a> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; line-height: 25.760000228881836px;">Matthew McGovern is one of the potters I've been paying particular attention to this week. The images of his pots have a peaceful quietness to them that is outstanding. He manipulates slip on the outside of his forms with outstanding results. I rarely attempt this for of decoration but whenever I see results like this I can't help but long to try my hand at it. Along with Matthew I've been looking at the wood fired work of <a href="http://www.kurt-teeter-ceramics.com/woodfired-ceramics" target="_blank">Kurt Teeter</a>. Teeter studied in MFA program in at West Virginia University. I heard about Teeter from my mother, and after first opening his web page I've had the colors of his pots in my mind. Especially the earthy deep blues of the pot pictured below. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; line-height: 25.760000228881836px;"> </span></span></span><img height="278" src="https://45c9d06d-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/kurtteeterceramics/woodfired-ceramics/Charger.gif?attachauth=ANoY7crw6N2Fcp2SuDCjh6Aen6APkfkedUByxmp9ts9S6HzT_YR0Ov-3oXHn4GuR7SZL5ClQtHb1JPvFiNG3LoO-QhgNl543_KF23pN40lujMr7f5wtrGbn70khLt8X3U_Mgcfn_80KhPiBlQSuqKUC4xEky0G4zLAMrC6OXr6vvUArPW5hpukhoihBHl2B9yVDp7gUdxb_yICA97BcIs0FFhATmwSTWiKYv7VSYvTfsslzaqXzkOUr6mDC_MSxUlwePwceFZuAr&attredirects=0" width="320" /><br />
They are just the best kind soft. To my eyes the interplay of line between the uneven edge of the pot and the blocking of color and lined texture above it. Just visually wonderful and stimulating to me.<br />
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It's been a strange week in the studio. It is test week which means there is only about a 50 % chance that I'll make it into the studio. Unfortunately, at least two days this week have had me banished via locked doors and missing keys (you wouldn't think that could be a problem) to the silence of an empty staff room and the endless digital wastes of the internet. This time was immediately put to finding new potters and pottery articles to read up on. On Monday I cleaned EVERYTHING. The ever growing mound of cast off trimmings was beginning to take on a life of its own, so it was time for a fresh start.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94VznXwrz5ULftd6dmaEOd4jAGjvz8Bt2RWV5sWgucDPwVsnNYf3tfueazwH6VeN516d0MMN4QCgtC40Xh4LGSm71P4iTV8XWQIqdk5NOv8fUz-iPftGAk9uMievPNCy0pcq7i3xIEso/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94VznXwrz5ULftd6dmaEOd4jAGjvz8Bt2RWV5sWgucDPwVsnNYf3tfueazwH6VeN516d0MMN4QCgtC40Xh4LGSm71P4iTV8XWQIqdk5NOv8fUz-iPftGAk9uMievPNCy0pcq7i3xIEso/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did manage to glaze pots and load the kiln for a small glaze firing that will be on track to open on Monday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2ue43C2SQTn_CiF9EgQImAV1rPpJxNloR2DaqJdtApgj2h6FLN28JiXyrzYjdLVl3OumITSMu0b5Hgg5qRs3iOcHUA2XP_02VxZbiruFNgfbD90xGcPqK7eeWLsryzV8icHiCWdmkyY/s1600/frameShareFile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLrw8CWOr27Og3e5Y7CQfTmYfmO1AvXyCdYg-7EyhcfcxWC4bw-JlUhprDbS7xpBlyyRmnaq9NYYS_6obqiuP22bJbr0X7I6iaa-UJsdjv8YKZtMqHRu-dXUBFD-FOqCj6fshDenM9Xg/s1600/frameShareFile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLrw8CWOr27Og3e5Y7CQfTmYfmO1AvXyCdYg-7EyhcfcxWC4bw-JlUhprDbS7xpBlyyRmnaq9NYYS_6obqiuP22bJbr0X7I6iaa-UJsdjv8YKZtMqHRu-dXUBFD-FOqCj6fshDenM9Xg/s1600/frameShareFile.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>In a somewhat out of character move there ended up being a lot of blues and greens in this batch of firing. Something in the pots made me want to play with color in a more experimental way than I typically do. I think that I am naturally drawn to earthen tones, and natural glazes. Glossy colored glazes typically turn my eye (just not my style), but I also think there is room for a new level of layering that I have trouble achieving with my matted glazes. I'm hoping that the under-glazes and brushwork I attempted to practice will shine through the semi transparent blues and greens I glazed with this time. That's right brush work and glossy! . . . Where did Andrew go?. . . I know right.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2ue43C2SQTn_CiF9EgQImAV1rPpJxNloR2DaqJdtApgj2h6FLN28JiXyrzYjdLVl3OumITSMu0b5Hgg5qRs3iOcHUA2XP_02VxZbiruFNgfbD90xGcPqK7eeWLsryzV8icHiCWdmkyY/s1600/frameShareFile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Hey, growth requires experimentation.<br />
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The last push of creation and experimentation this week was another attempt at dialing in what an A. Sartorius Ceramics tea pot will look like. Right now this is what is coming off the wheel. For me, it's not there. In rare form I like the handle and the curve of the body, but the lid and the spout need more work. None the less, progress!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2ue43C2SQTn_CiF9EgQImAV1rPpJxNloR2DaqJdtApgj2h6FLN28JiXyrzYjdLVl3OumITSMu0b5Hgg5qRs3iOcHUA2XP_02VxZbiruFNgfbD90xGcPqK7eeWLsryzV8icHiCWdmkyY/s1600/frameShareFile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2ue43C2SQTn_CiF9EgQImAV1rPpJxNloR2DaqJdtApgj2h6FLN28JiXyrzYjdLVl3OumITSMu0b5Hgg5qRs3iOcHUA2XP_02VxZbiruFNgfbD90xGcPqK7eeWLsryzV8icHiCWdmkyY/s1600/frameShareFile.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
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To wrap up this week's post. Go experiment. Try something new. Stretch your comfort zones and create something new. It's the only real way to grow, and I am certainly am seeking growth more than anything else.<br />
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As the sun rises I awake to the sound of swallows on the windowsill and the river flowing behind the apartment, and increasingly when I wake I greet the day with the thought that today is going to be a day to create. A day to play. Another day to dream more. I am getting closer and closer to the genesis of my love for pottery. It is one of the few areas I have found where I am actually able to directly (at times at least) translate my dreams into physical being. Sometimes those dreams are spawned from seeing other potter's work, sometimes from nature, and sometimes from the clay itself as it spins on the wheel. My enthusiasm for pots has only been on the incline since I last wrote my friends.<br />
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Now, I know that was a long time ago, and I am sorry for abandoning you a bit. You see, I created a Facebook business page for A. Sartorius Ceramics, and the benefits and progress of continuing to post there are far and away more measurable and read than my continued posting on Blogger has been. This could be, and probably is, user error to some degree. However I have a new resolution to do my very best to post once a week here. I like having the ability to go more into the details of what I am reading about, listening to, and thinking about my making process. So I think we'll dub Thursday the day for thoughts and thinkings on all things throwing and pottery related.<br />
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In the time between our last conversation I've stumbled upon a few really great things for all those creatively minded with a pension for pots. <a href="http://carterpottery.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">The Tales of a Red Clay Rambler </a> is a weekly podcast put out by <a href="http://carterpottery.blogspot.jp/2009/01/my-passion-for-clay-has-been-constant.html" target="_blank">Ben Carter</a> who is fantastic potter. Ben is doing some really incredible stuff and is very vocal about potters being culture makers. His interviews with other potters talk about everything from the state of the contemporary market to artist's inspirations and creative movements. I look forward to the new podcast each week, and you should check it out!<br />
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May was a busy month for me, with two really fantastic shows. The first was an event in Matsuyama, Ehime at the <a href="http://senguesthouse-matsuyama.com/" target="_blank">Sen Guesthouse</a>. Live music by three of my very good friends from Kochi, and the guest house owners mixed up some delightful specialty cocktails for the event. Loads of great people came bye.<br />
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Towards the end of the month I participated in a group show at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/qraudmarket" target="_blank">Quard Market</a> in Ino. This event was WAY busier than I was ready for, and was an absolute blast to go to. A day of local artists, food vendors, and musicians all coming together. There were tons of people. Great times all around.<br />
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Like I said I am going to make a concerted effort to bring this blog back into the light of day once a week. There's always more to talk about, and pots to be made! Hopefully I can revamp the blog a bit and get it up to the same level as the A. Sartorius Ceramics <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ASartoriusCeramics" target="_blank">facebook </a>page (which you should definitely go check out), and while you're there you should go ahead and pop on over to my brand spanking new <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AsartoriusCeramics" target="_blank">Etsy</a> shop! It's just getting off the ground, and I'm a total beginner at managing all this digital media, but it's the way of the future! And that future, it's coming our way. See you next Thursday!A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-61999570080274869962014-03-04T21:32:00.000-08:002014-03-04T21:32:52.979-08:00Photo Journal: The Dragon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV891tzW2OzpPEcj7CO6aKA2DqWp40GFFfTn_okWUBag6iEyV6efQpelzcNUFoZOIqZ3tsxoC38pPv-kPdxy60zYw07iI4jzpel2cOEdzBPgR4X6Hd1pyggp7YXqB_5iY4EWBhMc6ZKLo/s1600/DSC_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV891tzW2OzpPEcj7CO6aKA2DqWp40GFFfTn_okWUBag6iEyV6efQpelzcNUFoZOIqZ3tsxoC38pPv-kPdxy60zYw07iI4jzpel2cOEdzBPgR4X6Hd1pyggp7YXqB_5iY4EWBhMc6ZKLo/s1600/DSC_1000.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pots out back of Thow Kwang Pottery Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baby dragon. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOFklP56q-nw7ZOOskXTXUXKxhuLIU35QJhMz_oE2Dwq1_tHO8CG3_gwKTkvBPoL7NMJic68roRL8xCVVKjfPRnT6HTYMhDEfVvhE9BPTzNLt1i6ElrlmjFl4lNNOO3a0u0d3cjsg1CQ/s1600/DSC_1001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOFklP56q-nw7ZOOskXTXUXKxhuLIU35QJhMz_oE2Dwq1_tHO8CG3_gwKTkvBPoL7NMJic68roRL8xCVVKjfPRnT6HTYMhDEfVvhE9BPTzNLt1i6ElrlmjFl4lNNOO3a0u0d3cjsg1CQ/s1600/DSC_1001.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Singapore's last 2 dragon kilns. This thing was massive! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW2mAUG2QncsIJ53RqBI_Rl5zrRpeTnAgVD8lEzwNBxjQUlXYh4lPEeoGtmVsQTpikqEQuPPY9xhvQMbKUfzRw6VdmpK6kDMxgcO9_pO5TDa6WpWb-iRm3rmmOT55ZG4kAZ-p_zyVTyI/s1600/DSC_1004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW2mAUG2QncsIJ53RqBI_Rl5zrRpeTnAgVD8lEzwNBxjQUlXYh4lPEeoGtmVsQTpikqEQuPPY9xhvQMbKUfzRw6VdmpK6kDMxgcO9_pO5TDa6WpWb-iRm3rmmOT55ZG4kAZ-p_zyVTyI/s1600/DSC_1004.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the dragon. </td></tr>
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So back in the holiday season Stephanie and I went to Singapore, and I may have mentioned that we adventured our way to one of Singapore's last giant climbing dragon kilns. When we got to the slightly out of the way location it was starting to rain, we were being devoured by mosquitoes, and it turned out that there were no classes being offered that day. So. . . resigned to only getting to look at a kiln without really getting a chance to learn much about it we explored the large open air studio. A whole lot of the work sold at this pottery center isn't had made in Singapore, but we managed to find one of the artists in residency at Thow Kwang Pottery, Steven Low. And he saved our day of pottery center exploration. Steven talked to us about the ceramics community that had grown around these dragon kilns, and about his time as care taker for the kiln. He also talked with us a little about his new lines of work. His kindness and personal attention to two wayward travelers interested in a bit of pottery was incredibly generous. Thank you Steven! If you are ever in Singapore and want to have a guaranteed great time GO <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tkpotteryjungle" target="_blank">VISIT</a> STEVEN! The dragon kiln is a stunning sight, and the work that comes out of it is equally stunning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steven with some of his work in progress. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love his tea bowls. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steven loves making tea bowls, and has a huge collection of beautiful creations at the pottery center. This little beauty was irresistible, and is now happily siting in my apartment. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steven's studio. </td></tr>
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<br />A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-36008821462122083082014-02-03T22:50:00.001-08:002014-02-03T22:50:31.122-08:00DigiDestined . . . ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So this happened: </div>
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I am ever unsure about the need for a digital presence, and am especially tentative about self promotion, but it seems almost inescapable these days. I find myself in the midst of an effort to better upkeep my digital potter's portfolio. The FaceBook page will hopefully be a link between my instagram (name: bearsartorius), the longer ruminations on my making process at this blog, an etsy page (currently in construction), and also serve as a road map to my own pottery curiosities and inspirations. I think one of the things I've enjoyed most about my four year exploration into the pottery world is the broadening sense of community I have been able to find. Granted, most of the work and studios I'm finding and following are professionals on a far more educated plain than I am, but it gives me something to aspire to. My hope has always been that my posts about pottery will get others excited to give it a whirl and see where their hands take them. </div>
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If you a missing out on the reference in the tittle just do yourself a favor and pop on over to view <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digimon" target="_blank">a bit of my childhood</a>. </div>
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I have about half a kiln loaded with work that'll get fired today. I have some new glaze combinations in this firing that make me a little nervous, but I'm hoping that they turn out just like I'm imagining they could. That's the best part though isn't it. Not really knowing exactly how it'll come out in the end. I love that to a degree I relinquish control of my work in the final stages and let heat do all the work for me. </div>
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Get out there and create something! </div>
A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-60581327878045492014-01-20T22:27:00.000-08:002014-01-20T22:27:30.201-08:00Updates and SpatesEvery monthish, maybe month and a half, I am fortunate enough to get a package containing one or two new Ceramics Monthly. I could write about how charged up they get me to learn more and try new things in the studio, but I wanted to share a very well stated description of an artist named <a href="http://www.dh-studio.com/Portfolio.html" target="_blank">David Hicks</a>. The reason I'd like to highlight him is for his description of his creation process.<br />
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"I tend to work in short encounters with my wall compositions. These encounters are broken up into multiple focuses. For example I initially begin by producing five or so objects that will set the tone for a piece. Once that has been established, I work to make pieces that relate to or respond to those initial model objects. This process is usually a fast-paced process that is heavy handed and quick so I can keep my direction. I have a tendency to drift with objects in an evolutionary way. Works keep evolving and changing, and I keep it quick so I don't stray too far. Honestly this pace also keeps my interest fresh and focused." </div>
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Hicks continues on, describing how he chooses objects and hanging methods for his seedpod inspired wall clusters which have such a fluidity and organic sense I can hardly stand it. The repetition of form, but not exact form or glaze pulls my eye in in a way that many other works of similar theory (collections of many smaller ceramic pieces grouped together) tend to loose my interest. </div>
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If you're in need of some beautiful sculptures to look at or perhaps a great short <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-art-and-artists/ceramic-artists/david-hicks-emerging-artist-2010/" target="_blank">article</a> (this isn't the one from the Ceramics Monthly but it'll give you a little more of an idea) Check it out! It's what's inspiring me this week. </div>
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I'm trying to really crank out work for a bisque fire this Thursday. I have been working on a few larger forms, and am still cranking on the slab plates. Any way! If you're a reader tell me about your creative process. I think the biggest reason David Hick's work speak to me is because of the episodic quality to the collection of work featured. They have a real sense of exploration within a given time to me. I've worked for three (going on four) years in a borrowed studio space here at Susaki high school, and I think I may have to use his words to express how my creative process has worked here. Each day, perhaps week at best, is an episode of my imagination. I can rarely build up any type of concrete process or method, so my work comes in spates. My goal for this most recent outcropping was to create forms in sets. except for this beauty below. </div>
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Until next time. Go create something! </div>
A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-3952065815761327422014-01-08T22:16:00.000-08:002014-01-08T22:16:19.639-08:00New Year / New Pots <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happiest of 2014's to you all. It's a balmy, grey, 10 (C) degrees today, and I'm none to envious of the reports from America of temperatures hovering down far closer to zero (F) than Kochi will ever get. I have so much to tell after a six day trip to Singapore and the issuing in of a new year, but I'll save all that for a post all of it's own. </div>
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I've been able to sneak back into the studio since returning to school, though not near as much as I would like. In the time given I've been cranking out forms to be carved after they get to leather hard. Mostly slab work but they're a blast to crank out. I miss the wheel and can't wait to have a biger block of time to devot to it at work. </div>
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Look at those lovely rows of comerical cups! Meet some new inspiration : the Kopi coffee cup. But! That looks like a regular cup and saucer. You might be thinking. In Singapore drink stands are called kopi tiam, and there is a lovely little history to these style of cups. The suacers are deeper than their more conventional cousins, and I just absolutely love both the coffee (sweetend with condensed milk) and the form of these little mugs. Hopefully I'll have time soon to try my hand at them, but figured the first post of the new year should include at least one goal for the comming year. </div>
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Speaking of the new year i have a host of resolutions and hopes for 2014, a good deal of which deal entirely with pottery. On our way home from Singapore Steph and I stopped in Kyoto to aquire some good luck for the comming year. </div>
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Nothing fills the heart with better feelings for the comming year's potential like macha, a delightful little sweet, and the best company I could ask for - all enjoyed in the outer guardens of Kinkakujin (the Golden Pavilion). It's going to be a wonderful year. I hope your Holidays were magical and your already doing well with your own resolutions. </div>
A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-5288598281127197712013-12-16T17:07:00.001-08:002013-12-16T17:07:25.540-08:00Tobe: the Real Deal<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two weeks ago Stephanie and I took her friend Sarah to Tobe Yaki. Tobe, like Bizen, is a traditional Japanese pottery center. Tobe's style couldn't be more different than the dark reds, bronzes, and gold browns of Bizen's climbing kilns, but the feel is largely the same. Almost every home has some little ceramic detail, and every garage, livingroom, or back yard has some type pottery studio, collection of slip molds, or even a small kiln shed in the back yard. IT WAS GLORIOUS to see. <br />
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Simply the idea of an artistic community dedicated to preserving, promoting, and simutaniously modernizing local pottery traditions is like stepping into my dream list of job titles and making them materialize before my eyes. The Tobe Culture Center has a fantastic show room that takes you through the early traditions of the pottery, and also showcases the way the various artists and families of potters have changed the traditional forms and had fun with the glazes. Tobe is most well known for its navey blue brush work on white clay, but as you can see there are many takes on this old standard. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7H-kXDR6S-P0ahp2aEePOxidAhOcgHD0EP-FG557Ls8Xzmcvtju0XMAwa58pTY17f_oLFjuy3NY9vMZyQcqIY3fpHDUkygbuw2IZevMmteHqiDQEaFHCEiK8TD6qdA37KuUhHk5nAyY/s1600/tobe4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_114741="null" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7H-kXDR6S-P0ahp2aEePOxidAhOcgHD0EP-FG557Ls8Xzmcvtju0XMAwa58pTY17f_oLFjuy3NY9vMZyQcqIY3fpHDUkygbuw2IZevMmteHqiDQEaFHCEiK8TD6qdA37KuUhHk5nAyY/s320/tobe4.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMRQvnTJhqm4nNchPBnQ-cxjQdmIbU7ERsUTbegjXodbeF1ooRN6Lr4V1aMiMy5jkbJ0xD3lowtOLmSAXWzIPIIeLoDau0yDLTTHqoizDpl_2az1m6gi82sQu4FrM5UZ_KAwsecNtG4A/s1600/tobe2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_114741="null" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMRQvnTJhqm4nNchPBnQ-cxjQdmIbU7ERsUTbegjXodbeF1ooRN6Lr4V1aMiMy5jkbJ0xD3lowtOLmSAXWzIPIIeLoDau0yDLTTHqoizDpl_2az1m6gi82sQu4FrM5UZ_KAwsecNtG4A/s320/tobe2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We got a chance to try our hand at painting a pot of our choosing. My brushwork clearly needs work, but I think Steph is a natural! It was great fun, and I'd return in a heart beat to show just about anyone this little treasure of ceramic culture. </div>
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Here are a few of the more contemporary designes we saw at the cultural center. There was a huge (very cool) store where you could buy work, but photos were prohibited. </div>
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I have some peices in a local christmas market in Kochi City. If you're in Japan and have just been itching for one of my pots then this would be a good chance. Yamma Neko gallery is a great place. </div>
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Mr. Leach even made time to stop in. It's always such a pleasure to see his work. </div>
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All this typing about pottery has me itching to get into the studio and get back into the making cycle. I saw some really fantastic slab work in Tobe and have been thinking about trying my hand at it since. I'm off to create something, you should do the same! </div>
A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-44976339829619954812013-11-27T16:14:00.000-08:002013-11-27T16:14:19.903-08:00Recalibrate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After loading a small test batch of work into the newly repaired kiln I punched in the firing cycle and waited to see how the freshly refinished Kiln Gods would treat me.</div>
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The outcome is a mixed bag of over exposed and passable results. The kiln's programed cycles all were wiped durring the repair, and I must not have quite gotten the down fire temperatures right for this firing. Some adjustments are in order, but we'll get it sorted. </div>
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I'm particularly happy with the sculptural form I'd been working on for some time. It's one of the biggest peices I've ever done. </div>
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These little ochoko were really fun. At the end of the day, I'm jus texstatic to be back in buisness. The kiln is finally filled with the tiles from the workshop I ran back in October. As the weather turns my mind shifts to how to keep my hands warm in the studio, and what forms I most want to work on for the comming months. In January over half the school goes on class trips for about 3 weeks, and I will have more than ample time to get my hands really muddy. </div>
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If you just can't get enough of pottery and people talking about pottery, and you'd really like to see some fantastic surface treatments check out <a href="http://fetishghost.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">fetishghost</a> (a fellow blogger user and great potter). Until next time keep creating! </div>
A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-42188348533566813222013-11-17T18:47:00.000-08:002013-11-17T18:47:13.952-08:00Follow Up<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The school is like a came. The halls are dark, and the thick cement walls hold the night's cold far longer than one would think. Fall's colors are all scattered across the hills and it's dark by 5:30 if your lucky now. It seems like winter came almost without any sense of Fall at all. Perhaps two weeks at best, but that's ok by me. Winter here is quite mild, and though the homes are not so well heated or insulated it means more hot beverages and soups. I'd take being cold over being hot any day. </div>
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I wanted to follow up on my post about the young potters I saw in Tobe with a few pictures of the more traditional Tobe Yaki look. </div>
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There is a lovely little hand made gallery just down the street from my apartment where I try to stop in once every month or so just to check what pottery and laquer ware turns up, and this month they had a real surplus of new potters. The two folks from tobe above, and a new Kochi potter. All I was able to understand from the store owner's description is that the potter was a woman who lived about 20 minutes away in Tosa and that she built everything by hand without the use of a wheel. I really love the glaze on the first tea bowl pictured.<br />
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Hoping to return to posting every Monday and Thursday now that the kiln in back on line. We'll see you soon everyone. Go CREATE!</div>
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A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-6271568392702773182013-11-12T22:05:00.002-08:002013-11-13T16:33:03.310-08:00Dream Walks and Fixed Kilns <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Step by step in the quiet rain I head for temples hidden amoungst the hustle of one of Shikoku's biggest cities. Two weeks ago Steph and I checked off Matsuyama from our 88 temple trek. Along the way we stayed at the always fantastic Sen Guesthouse (seriously if you travel through Matsuyama do yourself a favor and stay there!). While there, I got to conversing with the owner about local potters. Matsuyama is home to Tobe Yaki, a place which I am sadly very under educated at the moment. The work that I associate with Tobe Yaki (as I knew it) is traditionaly a white clay body with blue designs painted under a clear glossy glaze. The owners at the Sen guest house assured me that that may be the traditional imagery, but that there is some really creative and absolutely fantastic contemporary ceramics comming out of Tobe. </div>
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This is a pot from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/asatoikeda29988590?hc_location=stream" target="_blank">Asato Ikeda</a>, and I am absolutely in love with his forms. They're loaded with motion and energy. Appearantly the folks and Sen Guesthouse are friends of his and work to help him publisize his ceramics from time to time. I'd love to pic this guys brain, and watch his process for creating such movement within the clay. </div>
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As some of you may know my other obsession in life is tiny houses, and I saw this little beauty cruzing down the road on the way to the Kochi Air Port for a business trip to Tokyo. Similarly to my desire to pic the brains of Tobe's youthful potters I would LOVE to spend an afternoon exploring the construction of this little movable cabin. I doubt it is used for camping or dwelling. It is owned by a bakery, but I am willing to bet it could be repurposed to be dweld within. If you asked me why I love tiny houses I don't think I could adiquately articulate my feelings in a clear enough mannor. The biggest appeal of them is that they seem doable! I have always wanted to build my own home, but have absolutely no knowledge of carpentry, construction, and only the very basest of handymanery. Constructing something tiny is a way to get around the daunting challenge of learning all of that full scale. They are also significantly easier to heat, own, make energy efficient, and leave less of an imprint on the world that surrounds us. I could go on for days about hwo freak'n cool tiny structers are and how much I want to make pottery in one, but I won't . . . because that isn't what you're here for. </div>
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You're here because you're my friend, and you are curious about my ceramics and life. Now we come to the news that you and I have been waiting for, for weeks and weeks. The kiln repair is complete! There is a bisque firing happening as we speak and Yamatogi Sensei assures me that I can do a glaze firing this weekend if all goes well. Extatic does not do my feelings justice. I have a load of my own work (mostly ochoko and a few tea bowls) to fire, and probably at least a load of tiles from the workshop I did last month during my exhibition. </div>
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Thanks for reading! If you get a chance go check out Asato's work. Keep creating. </div>
A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-10762124009892499382013-10-30T17:28:00.000-07:002013-10-30T17:28:18.679-07:00Broke Down Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The mornings are quickly transitioning from cool to cold. Before I have time to blink it will be winter again, and my hands will be struggling to center in the cold of the studio. November is the busiest time of year. Speech contests for my students kick into full gear, my yearly volunteer course begins, and preparations for winter travels. <br />
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I have hit a rock and a hard place. Just before the show in Susaki City the kiln broke down. I was expecting the repair to be somewhat expedient, however my hopes have proven futile. Yamatogi Sensei assures me that the peice in need ot repairs has been shipped, and now we are just in a waiting game. This waiting. . . constantly not knowing when you'll be back in the flow of create, bisque, glaze, and fire is disheartaning. I've had little drive to go create in the studio because I've no garantees I'll be able to complete the works. I still am carving on pots, and tryign to keep my skills at least mildly sharpened. <br />
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I doodle frequently. . . in bright colors, and in rarely planned out patterns. They are studies in bordom and color. Like gesture drawings, they're done hastlily and meant more to capture the fleeting feeling of a moment rather than anything else. I would love to find the correct materials to allow me to doodle on the surfaces of my pots, but currently I do not have glazes like that at my disposal. <br />
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The maze. </div>
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Typhoon Friday </div>
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I'm veyr hopeful that we'll be back in business soon, and that I can return to work in full confidence that the work I'm doing will actually come to completion. </div>
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Untill then I'll keep the creative juices flowing however I can, and you should do the same! </div>
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A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-92056759972252488002013-09-25T18:48:00.001-07:002013-09-25T18:52:03.098-07:00Stuck in over-DRIVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I'll walk the 20 minutes it takes to wind my way from my school to the Gallery where my work is. The walk will have my eyes right in the sun as it begins it's descent toward the mountains that encircle the horizon. I'll wind my way through Susaki propper. I'll pass the tiny hill top temple just after the only nice bike shop in town, and the famous soya(sho-yu) sauce business that all the city tourism pamphlets foucs on. I'll pass the post office, 4 run down houses overflowing with weeds and litterbox stinks, and many windows that belong to stores I've never seen open. I'm already anticipating the sense of relief I know the space will bring. </div>
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I havn't been able to spend nearly enough time here since the show started. On a rainy Saturday I met Tabe Sensei and her son for breakfast and we went to the show together. <br />
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The building is just one block off the main road through town, and it affords it a quietness that I love. When a guest goes into the main room the gallery owners bring you a small cup of iced tea to enjoy as you explore the exhibit. I really loved spending time asking Tabe Sensei about her feedback on my exhibit. I miss having someone to bounce my ceramic ideas off at school. It was a great morning. Don't worry you faithful readers there will be more pictures of the exhibit to come shortly. This weekend I'll be hosting a one day workshop on tile carving and texturing. I'll also be photoing the exhibit to better showcase the space. I'm not looking forward to taking the exhibit down. There ended up being about 104 peices once everything was unwrapped and on the tables. <br />
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The reasons I've not been able to soak in the gallery is because fall is always the most chaotic time for me as an English teacher. Speach contest has rolled around again, and I'm rehersing with a student every day after school (she's fantastic and excited about English. It is rare and wonderful!). I'll be starting my extra lessons with the older folks in my area at the local community center come November (they are always a blast, but it means extra lessons and loads of planning). There are also of course the ever present tests and papers to grade. <br />
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But the real pain has been studying for the Japanese Driving test. It's a wonderful strange process that has been ranted about far too many times in the history of internet I'm sure. If you're really curious about the multi colored insanity show that's pictured above and my exact thoughts on it, feel free to ask. I take the test tomorrow, and despite studying, and being a fairly compitant experienced driver, I've less than high hopes for my first Japan Driving Test experience. Who knows!</div>
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What I do know is I can't wait for the workshop on Saturday, or to get back in the studio once the kiln is repaired. I have a whole batch of new work that's ready to fire, and a new goal to work towards with my ceramics. Thanks for reading, and if you've time come on bye the show. </div>
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Go create something! </div>
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<br />A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-24727049878697649972013-09-10T17:14:00.002-07:002013-09-10T17:14:33.769-07:00Flurry and Dust.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You're invited to come to: </div>
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At the start of this long endevor I simply was craving exposure. I had 60 or 70 some peices gathering dust in my studio. My own collection of work rarely seen, and by anyone but you few internet friends. It was (has been) a supremely personal journey for the past 3 years into the world of pottery. The process of arranging and working towards a gallery show is so vastly different from the solotude of the studio I am so accustomed to when I make my works. Meeting the wonderful staff of the Machigato Gallery in Susaki, thinking over the best ways to instal my work in the gallery's space and "fill" it to a point that looks good, and then there is publicizing (which for me comes as the most difficult party). It is all wonderful, and new, and also very tiring. </div>
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My extra time this week was eaten by preping works for transit to their new monthlong home. Hand wrapping each peice is an excellent time for self critique. My hands cradle each peice, and my fingers find the gritty imperfections that my eyes never reveal when I simply look at my collection. The learner's trials and happy accidents litter the surfaces of many of my works, and their lessons are greater for my growth than I could have hoped for. <br />
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Consequently, handling and wrapping each peice also kicked up quite a bit of duest which has rather unhappily settled itself in my nose. I sent 7 boxes packed full to the gallery on Monday, and will spend the greater part of tomorrow installing it all for the first time. I can't wait to see everyone's resonce to my work, and hope that you'll find the time to come and see it. I'm ever greatful for input and for your readership of my journey. <br />
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Before I go, I have been working on some new tiles for a tile workshop I'll be teaching on September 28th. Unfortunately the school's kiln's controle pannel and power switch have fallen victim to the extreem humidity here in Kochi. Yamatogi sensei assures me that it will be up and running again sometime in October, but for now that just means some of my peices will not be making it into my first show. It really jus tmeans I have more time to fill the kiln with more work for the next show! <br />
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Have a great day!<br />
GO and make something! A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-71602647576286778372013-08-22T19:01:00.001-07:002013-08-22T19:01:47.631-07:00Return<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a long trip home, the first in 2 years, I'm back in Susaki and in the studio. There is a lot of work to be done before the opening of my show on September 13th. I've been granted space in the Machikado Gallery to display my work. I've never put together a show before, esspecially a solo exhibition, so my thoughts about the best ways to display everything and all the other ins and outs are really racing. </div>
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I have always loved texture and surface decorations. They alter the tone and give the eye a reason to pull the hands to the peice. This show's collection is largely going to e peices that focus on texture and giving a sense of agedness to something new, and also atempting to replicate the natural element of an atmospheric firing in my electric kiln with only factory made glazes and changes to the temperature and exposure of the firing cycle. Just come and have a look! </div>
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Home was wonderful, as home should be! The whole family came out in force to welcome me back. We soaked eachother in for two weeks, and I even managed to see some of my oldest and dearest friends from both high school and the good old Wooster days. There will be more info and news to come along with more photos of new work, but for now the sauna of a studio is calling to me. Thanks for reading! It's good to be back. </div>
<br />A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-14373683885266037572013-07-08T22:20:00.000-07:002013-07-08T22:20:42.865-07:00Toys, Important dates, and lots of Plates It's been busy BUSY weeks since I last posted here. The summer sun seems to have come and finally burned off the residual moisture of last weeks tail end to the rainy season. As seems par for the course the rainy season saw my dear mellon and cucumber plants consumed by white powdery mold, but my cherry tomatoes seem to be doing ok and my greens carry on as though there were nothing wrong in the least. I've grown esspecially fond of my fish pot with two big gold fish, and a medly of water plants to keep it well oxygenated. They greet me every time I go out onto my balcony. <br />
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All too soon I'll be venturing home to visit the family in West Virginia for the first time in two years at the end of this month. I'm excited beyond beleif to see them. So, with packing added to the already impressive list of things to do I have been releived that I still managed to make time to create my pots. I've been testing out some new (absolutely astonishingly great) tools. We loaded two kilns full of my work and some student works and fired them up. The first firing came out very well for the most part, but unfortnately the second firing seems ot have unintentionaly gone too hot. This caused the glazes to become more muted than I was going for. All of this push for work is because I have some wonderful news! In early-mid September I'll be having my first solo exhibition. More details to come, along with fun promotional goodness, but I just wanted to relay the good news with this weeks up date. KIeep creating!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great new toys from <strong>Mudtools</strong>. Thanks Mom and Dad these work wonderfuly. <br />
I am esspecially fond of the rubber ribs and the new clay cutter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C16Dh9P094Dr240hudZvePn9whHueT6dHbsD7ixsPgwhtOaQ6wBzlA4NMhA44EpOnaohxTwb4Mp8Z6Zh6hSJrDQLa-v77a3z1rfI8xJix7J2wqjpwF7jc6oih7A-l2btLwn-5l-2Esk/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C16Dh9P094Dr240hudZvePn9whHueT6dHbsD7ixsPgwhtOaQ6wBzlA4NMhA44EpOnaohxTwb4Mp8Z6Zh6hSJrDQLa-v77a3z1rfI8xJix7J2wqjpwF7jc6oih7A-l2btLwn-5l-2Esk/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've really been focusing a lot on cup and saucer designs.<br />
These were from the most recent long cool down firing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm still trying to dial in the right mix of glazes and temperature change to result in the most <br />
atmosphiric looking results. I don't quite have it yet, but I'm always after those <br />
Bizen and Shigaraki colors. I am quite happy with these though. </td></tr>
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<br />A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-62091647138476690212013-06-27T08:05:00.002-07:002013-06-27T08:05:54.453-07:00Bisque and News Today's weather really threw me for a loop. Cool lovely morning, hot mid day, and then humid but cool night. I have some large tiles that have been drying for days in the studio and the humidity is keeping them quite damp still depsite my best efforts. I would really like them to dry so that I can glaze them and try to slip them (yes unbisqued, my god right?!) into Friday's firing. Last week saw a bisque fire come and go smoothly and without any casualties. I've spent the week glazing like a mad man attempting to get everything ready in time because there's big news on the horizon (but for now it must remain a secret)!<br />
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All tantalizing secrets aside I find that glazing is still a part of my creative process that is most in need of refining. I don't fully understand the techniques needed to smoothly blend two glazes, or even to get the same effect reliably every time. It is truley a new and fantastic experience almost every time I open the kiln. Sometimes my glazes behave exactly as I have hoped and expected them to, sometimes I'm surprised in the best of ways, and sometimes I'm greated by pots that look as though they were glazed with as much attention to detail as sand blowing in the wind. I've been quite active in the studio this week beyond just my glazing. Every day I have been working to teach myself how to reliably throw (though I should, perhaps, just say center) larger amounts of clay. I find it really challenging to maintain that perfect centered position on the wheel and my work (with one exception) has turned out good enough for the reclaim bucket every day this week. It leaves my wrists and fingers soar, but in reality I find that soarness refreshing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know you've seen these guys already, but I just fin this image far more pleasing than the other<br />and simply had to share it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite mug from last weeks firing. </td></tr>
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Go create something TODAY! </div>
A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-59689131946281776982013-06-10T23:43:00.001-07:002013-06-10T23:43:35.921-07:00Fired, Blues, and News<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
About two weeks ago I opened up the kiln of an incredibly rainy Monday. The weather was terrible, and I had the day off from school to dedicate time to cleaning my house and relaxation. What I saw with this firing was really quite surprising. many more muted colors than I am used to, and lots and lots of drips. Now I7m really quite partial to runny yellow glazes, and that metalic blue that fades to slighly crystalized copper burns when exposed to my long back fire firing cycle makes for some pots with a lot of character, but this time the glazes left me feeling like they were a bit . . . rushed. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7w7vXRcDPJLgsQSlWiyifX8spIfuWHCQuds11ngCgbhqeBfzrZqqEz652HyphU1RzjHAEQy4qQLiV8bpoBbCzVKpCUoyKed7u0q5PRP-bE1UpXNyejftaBvEWao1ba78Hn7gvkDa-Zc/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7w7vXRcDPJLgsQSlWiyifX8spIfuWHCQuds11ngCgbhqeBfzrZqqEz652HyphU1RzjHAEQy4qQLiV8bpoBbCzVKpCUoyKed7u0q5PRP-bE1UpXNyejftaBvEWao1ba78Hn7gvkDa-Zc/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm very happy with this tea bowl. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the forms, but I really want the glaze to uniformly fade. Granted the kilns "kiss" and treatment of each individual pot is part of what makes pottery so endlessly entertaining. </td></tr>
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I'm not the happiest with these two mugs. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this carved mug. </td></tr>
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I am still working on coffee mugs and demitause cups. I am amassing so many peices that I really need to do a bisque firing, but the communication barrier at school with my new ceramics instructor, Yamatogi Sensei, hasn't been 100% broken down as of yet. There are some deadlines for compititions at the end of this month that I would really like to apply to. . . so , we'll just have to do some sweet talking and creative gesturing convince him otherwize. <br />
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I wrote a few posts ago about my trip to Bizen and how I was equaly in awe and more than a little jealous of all the clay culture that surrounded me while I was there. Sometimes I think young artists, or just young people in general get a restlessness that builds within them. It's the desire to have the life you know you want. I often think that I want a life in pottery. I'm not sure where or how that happenes but 9 out of 10 days I want it more than just about anything I can dream of. So, when I see an artist with a studio in ceramics monthly it's hard to not think, "man they have it all!". The truth is that they are working, and have been working - along their own paths - for YEARS to get to that article. It's the same in any job, for any twenty something. We're hungry for our dreams to come to a point where we feel we're living them not living for the hope of dreaming them. All of that to say that I just got the June <em>Ceramics Monthly </em>and its pages are a wash with artists and pots that make me hungerier than and more excited than a 5 year old at an all you can eat cake and icecream buffet, but I opened it up to a quote on the very subject I've been ranting on by a Potrland, Oregon potter named Brian R. Jones: <br />
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"My advice to others interested in a career in pottery: You have to dig your well deep. invest in youself and others will invest in you. Things happen when they happen and that's not something you have control over. Don't get too concerned or resentful with someone else's success. They are not being successful at you. It's just their time. Use your energy to make better work." <br />
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So it's off to make better work I go! A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-23331080990895966082013-05-23T21:00:00.001-07:002013-05-23T21:07:38.532-07:00Drive and publicity! Working towards goals is one of the most self empowering things you can do in your day to day life. Be they goals in fitness, education, ceramics, painting, music or competative TV staring (well maybe not so much the later) striving to better yourself is a HUGE opportinity for generating happiness. <br />
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For my first year and a half here my work was almost 90% spontanious. I might sit down to the wheel and say, "I'm going to make a bowl", and sure enough a bowl of some type would be the result. I don't see any problem with this, however recently I have been focusing much more on creating with a designed purpose. Sketching out pots, looking through Ceramics Monthly for inspirational forms constantly, and in general being more demanding of my own creative process. The result of this is an ever growing collection of work ready to be bisqued, and the need to set goals. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenware ready and waiting for the bisque.</td></tr>
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Living here in Japan I feel fairly disconnected from the pottery communities I spend most of my days reading about, and the language barrier between Japan's pottery community and myself is quite large (this is mostly my own fault for choosing gardening and pottery over studying all the time). That all being said, I've recently really been focused on finding international art competitions and calls for entry to work towards. I like having a challenge or a goal to push for, and the addition of a deadline really helps to accelerate my drive sense of purpose while in the studio. The show I'm currently working at applications for is a call for demitasse and saucer designs. So I'm expiramenting. </div>
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If you like art of all sorts, and would like to see a fantastic digital collection of up and comming artists check out <a href="http://artascent.com/winning-artist-directory/" target="_blank">artascent.com</a>. Art Ascent is a great sight. Their goal is to create themed competitions for international artists to have a chance to share their work with a wider community. If you are an up and comming artist I can't recommend them enough. They put out a lot of different calls for work and their themes are ussually really interesting. My work is up on their web site, and later I will be featured in a paper publication as well. Can't wait to see a hard copy of that. The other featured artists are really great and totally worth checking out as well. <br />
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I think that's about all the news from the studio this week. Be on the lookout in the near future for more news, and hopefully a firing soon! <br />
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Go create something! Stop thinking about it and do it! <br />
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A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-50017267613095117362013-05-15T21:42:00.000-07:002013-05-15T21:42:36.762-07:00GO HERE! GO GO GO! <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two and a half hours north of Kochi City and then a short train ride to the east is a place where stacks upon stacks of cut and dried pine litter the streets. A place where back alleis were cobbled with the old broken bits of pottery deemed unfit for sale. Where every storefront, every window has vestles painted with flame and ash, and ever third home sprouts a 5 story chimney from a kiln shed that's taken root just behind a home. They've been digging and firing clay from the green hilsides here since the Heian period (794). The peices unearthed from the large anagama kilns are known for their red and brown shades. This little slice of pottery nerd heaven is called Bizen, and it's Japan's oldest midevil pottery town. </div>
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Last weekend I went with Steph and a fellow pottery enthusiast named Mitch to visit this mythical place of pottery power. Due to time constraints we were only able to spend one day exporing this little hot bed of ceramics goodness, but it left a lasting impresion on me. Every corner, every wall, every store front, and even the local temple were covered in tiny hand made ceramics details.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ceramic face peeks out from an overgrown wall. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wall to the local shrine had a tile from every potter that lived in the town. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ97BNNn_f4AOva3Wou89jHP-9p_JapD5uJZDNPeniXqW3zClE_fL52f7buAsyq2vmuQWDb-4mQ3vHmFFdOcB2zcHQj7lGgrY-1bE6SElJETzyU2W021NzKPWZIFe3jo9Iji8VBBDV-Os/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ97BNNn_f4AOva3Wou89jHP-9p_JapD5uJZDNPeniXqW3zClE_fL52f7buAsyq2vmuQWDb-4mQ3vHmFFdOcB2zcHQj7lGgrY-1bE6SElJETzyU2W021NzKPWZIFe3jo9Iji8VBBDV-Os/s400/DSC_0131.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many many kilns we saw just awaiting use in someone's back yard. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJvA6OF2TjkO3bD9JbEtzELe-P12SnXtA5FqFsDC6aVWPo3AupouYTCaMg8PEBevCACNbN_W3YYlKbI7mVIqcQhvBN1uONyiOCsm4vYH_ol9wMQfNrTWDry_35oA7ASKclXEuZ3Mz9SE/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>To walk through these streets, see the galleries (esspecially the huge one in the train station), and just be surounded by a place absolutely soaked in ceramics was such a wonderful expereince. I day dreamed as we walked, talking about the endless potential for growth I saw in a place like this, so much so that I had to be reminded of the endless potential for growth I have at my finger tips here in the ceramics studio in susaki.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshdvT5W2eEF19VKrAu6nl76Nd93xxrnv1sqrm0GL7oLvsw1X4nxrM-gZDvAW9_Xd59D2timVTHaF61EesOSuoynDdkKNNmFKizV7I8KYpkvGSTwccQRz1jL3ZuyX9fVIxfsgrIUp49i8/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshdvT5W2eEF19VKrAu6nl76Nd93xxrnv1sqrm0GL7oLvsw1X4nxrM-gZDvAW9_Xd59D2timVTHaF61EesOSuoynDdkKNNmFKizV7I8KYpkvGSTwccQRz1jL3ZuyX9fVIxfsgrIUp49i8/s640/DSC_0102.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh those Bizen colors. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even managed to get a small hand building lesson. </td></tr>
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I've read that it's very difficult to study in Bizen, and truly I am a full time teacher who only has time for a hobby in ceramics at the moment, but a boy's got to dream doesn't he! Our exploratiosn of the pottery center left me hungry for more, and itching to get back in the studio. I managed to sneak in enough time yesterday to build several lovely little bowls, and have plans to dash down just now and squeeze in another hour or so. Go out and find your equivilent of a pottery village! Persue what speaks to you in any way possible, and get hungry for it. little trips like last weekends help remind me why I've such a hunger for ceramics! </div>
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A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-12902937283612500872013-05-06T23:07:00.001-07:002013-05-06T23:07:37.141-07:00Latest Push<br />
I make my cup of coffee, sit in my squicky office chair, read the blogosphere updates, and scan NPR's web page for the news. Then it's down to the studio to push towards getting my hands in the clay. Working with larger mounds of clay is still challenging for my hands, and when I go to wedge it I notice my form gets sloppy the bigger the mound of clay before is. Bringing it all to center takes a bit more focus, but the real challenge comes with pulling it to the right thickness and shaping the transition from bottle neck to body. This shoulder of the peice should be such an elegant shape, but mine often wobble or flair in hopefully attractive ways. It's a continual battle to teach myself how to create the fished pots I see in a lump of clay as uposed to the finished pot the lump of clay, at times, forces me to make. It's days like this that make me crave a daily routine focused on bettering my skills under the wing of some expert. A master to study under, or even a friend to explore the trials of unknowing with. When these quiet frustrations work their way into my days I often retreat from the studio into my english classes, or perhaps into my ever growing collection of Ceramics Monthly. That magazine is my life line to the seemingly limitless potential for creativity that rests in human hands and mud. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The work is startign to pile up. Will have to do a bisque firing soon. </td></tr>
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I realize I've been absent for a few weeks now, and I do appologize for that. My days in school have been busy, and the studio hasn't recieved as much attention as it perhaps should have. Last week my energies were spent in attempting to take some really good photos of some of my more textured and rough vase forms to send in to an online international call for entries. No high hopes on that application, but I did my best, and will keep my fingers crossed. More to come in the very near future! A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-88250412175609955922013-04-04T19:10:00.002-07:002013-04-04T19:10:49.889-07:00"For the wheel's still in spin"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After almost 3 years of daily visits for coffee and tomfoolery, working to improve one another's teaching skills beyond the confounding barrier of two languages, getting muddy on days when there were no classes, and endless giving and kindness Tabe Sensei is now working for Susaki Technical High School and Kubokawa High School. They can't know how lucky their students are. We spent our final day, which was appropriately gray and melancholy, of working together laughing about old times, and going on a lovely lunch excursion to a surprisingly fantastic Italian place near my school. Pasta, a surprisingly crusty (in the good way) peice of home made bread, and the ploting of ways to stay in contact despite now different schools. It was a bitter sweet day of fond farewells.</div>
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Thank you, thank you, thank you! For your greatness! </div>
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It's a sunny spring day today with enough a chill in the air that a light sweater is still appriciated, but hardly necessary. The sakura infront of the craft room are at their peak, and though quite (with a gaping Tabe Sensei shaped hole) the studio is still a lovely place to do work. I've been filling the silence with Mr. Dylan's songs. It seemed all to fitting to use a line from one of his songs for this post's tittle.</div>
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The new craft instructor invited me down to the studio two days ago to watch me do some work. Yamatogi Sensei was a year ahead of Tabe Sensei in university and specializes in making wooden art objects. My initial impressions are dominated by his neatness, big smiles, and relative lack of English. After watching me work for a day he said that I should feel free to use the studio as I liked. His exact words translated to, "use the same as you did". This is hesitantly great news, and most of this week I've been in and out of the studio creating new pots. I recently watched a small documentary that focused on the pottery community in Minnesota. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rbpx-uopAY0" target="_blank">Sharing the Fire</a>, is great if you are interested in seeing a vibrant potter's community, and many different journeys that all led to careers in ceramics. Check it out! </div>
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Somewhere within all of these farewells and new works I managed to have some really great visitors from the USA stop bye. Meet the Strubles! </div>
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<br />They came for a visit with Steph, and walked away with a family of three tea cups that have been looking for the perfect home. The visit with Steph's family was a hoot! They're a barrel of laughs and we surfed, beach walked, ate well, and generally shared good times. Can hardly wait to see them again. Hopefully they'll think Kochi whenever they enjoy a cup of tea. </div>
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I'm off to trim some of my new work, and possible throw some more vase forms (I am really enjoying bottles and vases these days. They take to texturing really well). Have a happy weekend! </div>
A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-58966973203661161182013-03-24T18:34:00.000-07:002013-03-24T18:36:40.226-07:00Bad News Break Down<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
As an English teacher in Japan's public school system you know you come the end of March with the opening of cherry blossoms also comes the potential for your work world to dramatically change. Voices from mysterious Prefectural offices send out names on charts that, seemingly, uncaringly uproot teachers from their current schools and forcibly scatter them to all the far flung corners of the prefecture. For my past two years the teacher change has left my school largely unaffected. </div>
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I entered to pottery studio last Thursday to desks covered in cardboard boxes and a very overwhelmed best friend. Tabe Sensei (my school's incredible craft teacher, and the reason I am able to use the pottery studio at my school, and most importantly my best friend at work) has been summoned away by the voices on high. She has 3 days to completely clean the studio and all of its Tabe art, decorations, and teaching aids. It's a daunting task. Over her years here many students have gifted her their art projects. These gifts adorn every inch of the studio. In slight shock at the news that Thursday and Friday will be my last days of seeing her, and my studio (at least as I have known it), all I can muster is, "I'll help?"<br />
In relative silence we collect the relics of her years teaching here. She chooses a few that mean the most to her (they'll follow her to her next school), but there are far more than could ever make the trip to her currently unknown next school. So, with pliers, hammers, and other instruments of disaster we deconstruct her collection of art in to suitably sorted piles of recyclabe parts. We save the pottery room for last. There we gather all our students work that is left over. . . </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is only a third of the student's work we smashed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the aftermath </td></tr>
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and take out our frustration in a duel hammer weilding frenzy. After the dust settles and we've spread the shattered bits evenly about laughter takes us. Inside I'm still smashing things with hammers. We go back and talk about our years together with kids and in the studio. We cram all our work into the electric kiln for one last group bisque fire, and watch as a construction crew crain lifts the old broken down gas kiln away into nothingness (now even the kiln room feels empty). She says she'll come to school and visit me when she can, and reminds me that we live in the same town. I assure her that I'll take her up on her invitation of comming to her house any time to say hello. </div>
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All in all, last weeks ceramics news was somewhat crippling. It is a total system reset. It means getting to know a new craft teacher, probably not teaching any ceramics courses this year, and at least for the moment a severly less agressive studio presence. Tabe sensei apearantly went to university with the genltman who will be taking her spot at school. She says he's brilliant, and claims that she has explained to him that I use the studio and can help the students as well. These are all promissing details, but none the less change (big or small) is difficult, and my school in total lost about 13 incredible teachers. Two of those 13 are English teachers I love working with, and one is my best Japanese friend.<br />
For now, I have to go and continue to help clean the studio, and say farewells. More will come as I know what the ceramics situation looks like from here. I'll post when I can with updates. <br />
Everything changes, the important thing is how you handle that change. Tabe sensei and I will see eachother again, and even if I am only granted once a week after school studio time it will still be sticking my hands in mud. . . . gratitude for my two plus years of working with her and thoughts of how much she ( and the time she allowed me to have in the studio) helped me to find my love of ceramics throughout my years here are the thoughts I'm trying really hard to focus on. <br />
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more soon. <br />
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Keep creating friends! <br />
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A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-85520844748218444152013-03-17T20:56:00.001-07:002013-03-17T20:56:50.503-07:00storm and last weeks work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Low visibility, fog, heavy winds, and on and off gushing rains. sounds like the perfect Monday for a little post to catch ya'll up on last week's works. We're in that awkward time between school years where it isn't quite spring break yet, and where there are no classes. This means that my days are a bit wandering at the office, and filled with a touch more internet loafing than i typically would like. HOWEVER last week I did manage to get my most recent works trimmed and ready for a small bisque fire. </div>
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This mug is sporting a 100% expiramental handle that came from simply the desire to try something new, and my overal dislike for pulling my own handles. I'm unconvinced by its style and unsure of its comfort once bisqued. We'll just have ot wait and see. I'm veyr hopeful that the weather will clear and that I'll get a little time in the old studio today. <br />
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Until next time, <br />
smile more! <br />
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A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-43447946774768088012013-03-11T06:44:00.000-07:002013-03-11T06:44:00.190-07:00Collage of days flown bye <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fine friends came and were feasted, traveled, loved, and spoken to in great depth about all things that are, were, and will be their lives. We had such a lovely time. Thank you for coming Geoff and Brenna!<br />
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Test season started once more, and there (just like every morning) is the first mug ever to come out of the kiln here in Susaki. </div>
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A few new forms have been thrown and are shown drying in the early spring sun (which is so wonderful!) The plum blossoms are also out in for these days, and it makes the coolness of winter </div>
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And lastly these little guys found their way into Geoff and Brenna's bags and will hopefully be used in their months to come as they renter the working American world in the old big apple. </div>
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More to come this week I promise. It's great to be getting back in the studio even if it is just for a bit. </div>
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More to come! Go make things! </div>
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A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2233642752737378165.post-82188145184093817392013-02-20T20:40:00.002-08:002013-02-24T06:47:12.999-08:00Greens and guests. <br />
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Busy busy life! The studio has seen very little work this week due to the approach of finals week and graduation at school, but when my school days don't afford me the opportunity to create with clay I find other ways play in dirt and mud. I've got two wonderful guests from the Kingsley Pines and Wooster days here to keep me company for the next two weeks. We'll see what kinds of troubles we can get into (mostly we've been eating delicious foods and tromping about a bit thus far), but lastly here is a photo of this weeks coffee mug. I always struggle with my mugs being slightly under sized, so the only goal of this one was for it to be BIG! I think I may have achieved that goal.<br />
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All my life my father grew beautiful summer gardens. We'd eat fresh tomatos and broccoli from it all through the season, and the summer before I came to Japan three years ago I really took an intrest in it and the garden became our project. I loved every part of it from the first turning of the soil to the satisfied smile a fresh tomato is sure to deliver when pared with a little salty blue cheese on a crust of good bread. Now, it's too cold for tomatoes here in Kochi, blue cheese and good bread are, at the very best, difficult to find in Susaki but the green thumb still claims many of the thoughts that rumble about in my head. I reall am striving for a decent winter garden with arugula, kolrhabi, broccoli, chard, thyme, mints, chives, edible flowers, and evern some aloe. Living on the fourth story it's always a battle to get enough sun light, and getting the seeds to germinate as I run from school to train to city and back and forth, but things seems to be doing really well this year. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieilhkQaHK19dSQr_sd6YBfSAlq3yZIt4pIKjpoy5ROhUGbXcEoDjjg9jfrJ3CSppfYyzWYT6fpgDjgNTQBUqnKQozO63m6swdmgz5JLhJ94zTy4wa8871O57w7sX95jteK4Bz4o3SKis/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieilhkQaHK19dSQr_sd6YBfSAlq3yZIt4pIKjpoy5ROhUGbXcEoDjjg9jfrJ3CSppfYyzWYT6fpgDjgNTQBUqnKQozO63m6swdmgz5JLhJ94zTy4wa8871O57w7sX95jteK4Bz4o3SKis/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w_XO-Y0Q2O2EP047hWCKWcXL3gRgx2FzYATTkBshWP7K93SRE3N4JQTQB3ca2Hs92BQamCE5i-XZi7Afw0GMqXpRAvjXZa4_8DFzc5nifPM4tZJ5wKW3jb_HYzKFaVFiKchGISXdVs4/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w_XO-Y0Q2O2EP047hWCKWcXL3gRgx2FzYATTkBshWP7K93SRE3N4JQTQB3ca2Hs92BQamCE5i-XZi7Afw0GMqXpRAvjXZa4_8DFzc5nifPM4tZJ5wKW3jb_HYzKFaVFiKchGISXdVs4/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" width="213" /></a>There's just something special about having your hands in earth, with grit worked up under the nails. . . it's the kind of feeling I like cultivating, that slow creation that adrenolin junkies can't stand. The one that hangs for days and days, and is about as exciting as watching a leather hard work turn bone dry. But to those like me who get it, that every day difference, there is something magical in grit, green, and earth. <br />
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Enjoy your weekends everyone! A. Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232039300396756972noreply@blogger.com0