Back from the Ashes

Red Heat

I have been using some Japanese red clay lately and was curious how this clay would look under the extreme heat of a wood fired kiln.  Below are some pictures of the pieces I thought were worthy of having their photo taken.  

A coil build vase.  Once I picked it up it felt like it should be a drinking jug as well.  We will have to put some beer in there and see how it holds up.  I tested for any leakages...NONE!

I was pleased with the finish.  I got lucky having the front view turn out smooth and shiny.  

The wood ash didn't have a chance to reach the back of the vase but it was still a nice deep purple colour.

A smallish vase.  I have now bought a wheel so am attempting to throw more pieces on it. I was happy with this guy.  

I tried to etch in a pine tree on the side which didn't really work.  It was just passable.  Maybe I rushed it.

The other side of the vase avoided the falling wood ash from the kiln.  There were so many pieces in the kiln and the rookie gets the corners.

A finger swirl to give it a bit of character.

I have lost my chop so am signing my name.  It just doesn't look the same as a Chinese character.

Please fill me up with something.

A tall hand-built vase.  I tried making it look treeish.

Rear view.

A smaller one - it broke when drying so I decided to make a smaller version before putting it in the kiln.

Close up of the treeishness.

Mother and child.

I made another tree.  Do you see the visitor?

Hoot!

I really liked the top part - again the wood ash does this as it falls in the brick kiln.   The bottom section of the tree remained dark purple.

If the whole tree had of turned out like the top part I would have been very pleased!

A thrown Japanese style tea bowl.

Not symmetrical as is the style of a lot of Japanese bowls.

Top view.

This piece took me a long time to make.  A lot of trial and error.

The only part I'm disappointed about was the pouring spout.  It was a little chipped.  I think it may have been stuck up against another piece in the kiln and when they were separated damage resulted.  However, you could say it is part of it's charm.  It still pours well.

Taking a rest.

A small dish - platter - I don't really know what to call this.  

The colours on the underside were great!  This section is really shiny.  I still have to take some fine sand paper and clean up the tips of the legs on this piece.  

There you have it!  Merry Christmas everyone.  

Taipei Bonsai Exhibition 2014

And the Hits Just Keep on Coming...

It's amazing how fast the hours fly by.  All of a sudden it is November and time for the Taipei Annual Bonsai Exhibition.  The exhibition is running for two weeks and they have invited some very distinguished guests of the bonsai world.

I couldn't wait...

The great man and Mr. Kobayashi himself.

It was a brilliant surprise to see Mr. Kobyashi at the exhibition.  He has been all over many bonsai magazines I have read and his name is familiar to all lovers of bonsai, especially in Japan.  He is a short man but very polite and humble.  We caught up for about 10 seconds and then we went our separate ways.  However, not before I asked for his autograph...

Please enjoy some shots from the 2014 exhibition...

A nice shohin display.

Extreme ramification!

Very distinctive 'clouds' of foliage.

The pot was beautiful.

An interesting lower branch.

A penjing display.  

Straight and steady.

My favorite!

Loved this tree!  

Pretty amazing!

A brilliant elm forest.

A close up of the detail.

At the exhibition they also had a high quality display of suiseki - stones/rocks.  As you walk into the rock area, 10 tables were set up depicting Taiwanese foods made out of stones, pebbles, rocks!  It was unusual but you had to look.

And now for the bigger boys...

                                     It was a great exhibition that seems to get better every year!

I hope everything it working out for everybody out there.

Please visit my online etsy shop - AllinOneCeramicsTW for handmade ceramic pieces.