Do the Clothes Make the Man?
Learning more about bonsai has guided me to take a greater appreciation of the pot. This in turn has sparked an interest in pottery more generally. My girlfriend and I have been learning to make teapots, bonsai pots, and vases for the past year now. All this has been great fun, especially when you can make something that someone can enjoy. However, the topic of glazing has been a very confusing one for me. I believe a nice glaze can really add a touch of class to whatever it is that you made - provided the colour matches your intended image. I am always searching for a beautiful glaze and have come up short most times...but not today.
Jack, my bonsai teacher drove me to a friend of his for the past 35 years. He specialises in making bonsai pots and mixing his own glazes together. Throughout his career Mr. Kao has experimented and experimented to the point where he has developed some fantastic, original glazes. I was naive enough to ask him how he mixes certain materials together. He politely refused to tell me. The next best thing was to ask if I can buy some. He accepted. I bought the following glazes from him and hope to add these to some items that I will make in the future. Please enjoy.
 |
| I love the little speckles. Reminds me of far away galaxies. |
 |
| Might be nice for a cumquat bonsai tree. |
 |
| I do like the simple stoney look. |
 |
| This glaze could be used for almost anything. |
 |
| A little bit more razzle and dazzle. |
 |
| Classy. |
 |
| Maybe some tea cups? |
 |
| Vase and flowers would go well. |
 |
| A small cherry bowl? |
 |
| A bonsai pot. A flowering cherry tree living in it. |
 |
| His workshop out back. |
 |
| Two bonsai pots that he has just finished making. |
 |
| Some more bonsai pots with excellent glazes were scattered around his workshop in boxes. |
 |
| And more. |
So, is it the form or the glaze? A little of both I would say but a nice glaze goes a long way to making an ordinary piece look better! I look forward to using some of these glazes and posting their results.
Until next time...keep searching.
Most of these glazes look sensational just on the testers,m so I'm looking forward to what they'll look like on some of your pots. These really remind me of some of the visceral glazes I've seen used on Japanese ceramic artworks: if you could replicate this look you'd be on a winner. Here's a Kawai Toru work. http://www.2000cranes.com/artists_Kawai/items/KT001.htm
ReplyDeleteGood luck....looks great!