Japan

The arts of Japan have always had a great appeal for me. I've just discovered
an American textile artist who learned his craft in Japan from exceptional teachers.
His name is John Marshall, and his blog is at JohnMarshall.to/blog
I have a small collection of kimonos and kimono fabric, and I've only recently begun collecting katazome - hand cut stencils used in printing cloth. I work in clay, but have always been inspired by the Japanese aesthetic, which frequently employs images from the natural world - as well as geometrics and abstractions.
What's also of interest to me is that John lives in the same county I live in!

Yesterday in the Studio

Yesterday I waxed the bottoms and rims of lidded pieces - getting them ready for glazing. The wax resists the glaze, and I'm careful to sponge off any glaze in places where lid and pot touch. Otherwise the glaze would seal the lid to the pot. In the beginning, I wasn't as careful. Now I add a small amount of alumina to the wax for ease in removing the fired lids from the pots.
Today we'll glaze, and spend the next two days doing that. Firing on the weekend.

We'll have an Open Studio Spring Sale on April 16 & 17. Lots of cleaning up to do!
Nothing compared to what some potters in Japan are experiencing - and their plight has become my basis for comparison when I feel overworked. I just have to worry about getting my property taxes paid - not starting over completely with building a new studio and living space, etc.

Potters are a special breed, and I love and respect them!