JOYFUL KILN

There are days when opening a kiln can be a nightmare - crawled blistered crazed cracked...And then there are days like today when the opening of the kiln reveals pure pleasure!

FRATERNIZING WITH 'ALIENS' AT OUR STUDIO OPEN DAY

Alien urban creatures are invading Woodstock... !
 
Come meet them and share a glass of mulled wine with us on our open day
Sat August 4th from 11am - 3 pm.
 
Clementina Ceramics - see the new Clemsuke miniature sculpture range
 
Projekt - cuddle up to quirky crocheted toys
 
Heartworks and Woomen who have gotten together  to create new seriously trendy soft dolls
 
and lots more....
 
CLEMENTINA CERAMICS STUDIO
501 Tollgate Industrial Centre
12 Ravenscraig Road,
Woodstock
Tel. 021 448 3203
 

PRINTING 3D CERAMICS

I am fascinated by the phenomenon of 3D printing in ceramics such as these cups above made by the Belgian UNFOLD design studio ....

as I continue with the mark of the hand revealing human error and accident in these new cups out of the kiln this week...

I think both are pleasing to the idea, and philosophically, and energetically...well ...I don't know...I guess it depends on one's world view and perhaps I am a bit of a Luddite for not investigating this new technology!

WHEN THE APPLE IS RIPE...

'When the apple is ripe it will fall' - Irish proverb.
Recent dishes, happening, in their own time...

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRED BY TRADITIONAL

The above images are my pots submitted for the group ceramics exhibition 'UKHAMBA' opening at the William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley at the end of July.

This was quite a challenge, as the brief was to make ceramic pieces inspired by the theme of Ukhamba which are traditionally Zulu beer pots. I decided to make contemporary vessels, inspired by the forms of the traditional pots.

LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN, LOVE MUCH...

The images above are latest work for a client in Germany.

At the same time, as taking these out of the kiln, I have been struggling with the glaze on plates commissioned by a local restaurant. To put things into a greater perspective I reflected on  the poignant poem Success by Bessie Anderson Stanley(1879-1952) which resonated with me experiencing simultaneous excitement and irritation with ceramics...

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;

Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;

Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it;

Who has left the world better than he found it,

Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;

Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;

Whose life was an inspiration;

Whose memory a benediction.

GRAND FINALE

Tea break at the studio - from left to right, Andrew, Adonis, Sandile, Albie

These are the final fired plates painted by Andrew Lindsay in our studio a week ago. He is truly a creator of dreams and mysteries as evident in these beautiful objects!

SPAZA COMES TO WOODSTOCK

Andrew Lindsay (we all know him as Drew) from the Spaza Gallery in Johannesburg spent an intense week working furiously in our studio...some wonderful results - featured in this post and more to be posted tomorrow. Some of the plates are currently on show at Kalk Bay Modern Gallery.

GROUP CERAMICS SHOW OPENING TONIGHT

Opening tonight at Kalk Bay Modern, Cape Town

STUDIO DAYS

 

During the past 10 days the studio has been alive with creativity...different artists working here, good energy.The above images are necklaces made by Peta Becker who shares the studio. A combination of her clay leaves and antique African beads form an elegant and exquisite piece of jewellery.

BIRTHDAY REFLECTIONS

Birthday proteas from Drew, strelitzias from Margaret... all displayed in my tulipiere

Reflecting on my birthday today, I am reminded of this wonderful poem by Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

and run my stick along the public railings

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick the flowers in other people's gardens

and learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at a go

or only bread and pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent and not swear in the street

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.