CREATIVE STUDIO

Adonis working on a platter

Sandile working on tiles

Muriel glazing her animal farm

Tommy making a figurine sculpture

Today the artist Tommy Motswai came to work in the studio. His energy permeated the space and everyone was very focused in individual creative activities...the day has been warm and a sense of spring in the air!

SANDILE'S BELT BUCKLES

My assistant Sandile Cele has been developing a range of jewellery and other accessories. See him here looking awfully stylish with his fancy belt and buckle. You can see his work at our shop at The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, or come to our open day this Saturday 4th September at the studio - 501 Tollgate Industrial Centre, 12 Ravenscraig Road, Woodstock, Cape Town...watch this space tomorrow for more info!

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

FLOWERING CHRISTMAS CACTUS IN THE STUDIO

'Nothing is worth more than this day' - Goethe

Mid winter here in Cape Town, the sun is shining, the air is still...

VISUAL EMPATHY

RAMEKINS BEING PAINTED WITH UNDERGLAZE COLOUR

'The challenge is to produce simple forms whose economy of expression extends beyond function to gesture and visual empathy. This empathy transfers everyday ware into objects of ritual esteem.' Byron Temple (1932-2002)

http://www.craftinamerica.org/artists_clay/story_265.php?

STUDIO PRODUCTION

SUNNY 'GREENHOUSE' STUDIO

FINISHED GLAZED CUPS

BEAKERS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PAINTED WITH UNDERGLAZE

We seem to suddenly have a run on small cups and beakers..a few big orders have made our studio into a little production space - for now. Fortunately the softness of the plants and beautiful objects around us will always prevent the space from being factory-like. It is rather like a gracious greenhouse, with the wonderful southern hemisphere autumn sunshine casting a gentle warming light.

Ten thousand flowers in spring,
the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer,
snow in winter.

If your mind isn't clouded
by unnecessary things,
this is the best season of your life.

Hui-k'ai (1183-1260): WU-MEN-KUAN

"THE LIFE SO SHORT, THE CRAFT SO LONG TO LEARN"

A group of press-moulded decorated plates to be glazed today

“The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne..."

 Geoffrey Chaucer, English poet, 1342/3-1400

The above quote, made more than 6 centuries ago, still holds strongly. 

After 35 years of making ceramics, there is still so much to know, so much I need to learn..

This week is to be a week of multi-tasking in my work, starting today with glazing a group of decorated plates and bowls for a large order for a gallery in Canada. The days seem to fly by faster than ever, and there is so much to do!

Watch this space for tomorrow's tasks!

IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!

STUDIO ASSISTANT N'SELE ADONIS MUMPANGO GLAZING A TEST PIECE

FRESHLY PRESS MOULDED DISHES

STUDIO ASSISTANT SANDILE CELE PREPARING CLAY

In the midst of all my musing, studio life goes on..working on a large order of bowls and dishes for a gallery in Canada, and several other smaller orders locally. All of this whilst reflecting on the deeper significance of making ceramics, and attempting to be inventive!

GOOD FRIDAY STUDIO

Some of the latest glazed tiles out of the kiln today

Bisqued tile surfaces to be painted in underglaze colours and then glazed

 

Glaze kiln to be unpacked

Good Friday - a day to catch up a with daily studio tasks..unpack and re-pack the kiln, paint the surfaces of a pile of bisqued tiles...need to focus somewhat on these and delve within myself to be inventive. Sometimes this feels like the moment before a race, or the moment before going on stage..one takes a deep breath and hopes for the best!

I have a commission for a large panel for a private home, so will be working on this today.