This is probably the last pot I'll ever make at my studio.

I made it this last weekend. It's really sad, the feeling is like getting punched in the stomach. My studio is closing. I don't know how to even express how I feel. Devastated. Like as if a close friend just died. It's hard for me to even write about it right now, but I have to. The studio is such an important part of my life. I go there all the time, every week, they are so kind to let me, they always give me snacks and tea and lots of kind words. The people there have been at times the only friends, and the only encouragement I've had during my lonesome times in Japan. I would have been lost without the studio. I would have never entered a gallery were it not for my sensei there. How will I ever see them after the studio closes. To be honest, I've been avoiding the place, going when I think nobody else is going to be there. I hate goodbyes, I don't want to say goodbye to anyone. I know I have to go, it's just tough. I know there are other studios, it's not that.... It's just that this place has a very special meaning to me.

Went out Sunday night

And I had a really good time. I danced all night. I think dancing can change your life. The top picture is the moon setting over Yurakucho early in the morning.

Just some more pictures
of the "over the top" handled teapot I recently made, I think this gives a little better perspective.

Takai Dirt.

The top picture is just some reclaim that I'm in the process of Reclaiming. I save all my trimmings and slip from when I throw, I know that must sound crazy to most westerners, but its a must. I've found the fastest and maybe the easiest way to reclaim your trimmings without a pug or mixer, that is doing it by hand, is to throw your trimmings in a plastic bag along with all the slip you get from throwing ( I save my slip in a separate bowl from my water, or drip pan, I'm pretty strict about keeping my hands free of slip when I throw, it was the way I was taught), by the next day its fairly soft and ready to slap down on the plaster bat for wedging.

If you're wondering why I go though all that trouble, in the bottom picture, that ball of clay sitting next to that vase will run you about 2o skins, it's 2 kilos, I don't know what that is in pounds but it ain't much, about the size of a grapefruit, Florida grapefruit if you want to be more precise. Yellow, not pink.

"Over the top" handle teapot

Here's a style I haven't done in a while, maybe 6 months, I really like the dramatic sweeping handle, but it's dangerous! I had one that I loved to use at home and one morning, while making tea, while still half asleep I flipped it over to dump out the old tea (from the night before) and banged the handle on the sink faucet and it broke, after that I switched to making smaller handles. I guess it was time to get back on that horse. It needs a little more work on the handle where it joins to the spout, but its just about finished. And, if you're wondering, the markings on the body are stamps I was playing around with. By the way I almost lost this one, while I was trimming the foot it jumped off the wheel! It was dented and disfigured, but I managed to mostly right it again and save it. You can see from the top picture I was planning to put a side handle on it, but I thought it was too big so I ditched it for the over the top style, and in so doing I also had to ditch the mouth style for the spout that's sitting there in the top picture as well. Not too shabby I think..

"Mouthed" Teapot

Here's a new shaped teapot I made just recently, I like the mouth. It's the first "mouthed" teapot I've ever done and it came out nicely in my opinion. Although I noticed after I made it, looking at other mouthed teapots, this one has a rounded mouth instead of coming to a point, I think this may hamper is pouring efficacy (there's a word I hardly ever get to use) I'll post about the results when it's fired and ready to use. Also, I gave it two thumb rests, a bit affectatious but I like the over all balance of two. Any comments? Actually, speaking of thumb rests, I could use some help in that department. I've seen some really beautiful thumb rests, mostly on mugs, that kind of seem to "grow" out of the handle and body, I'd like to try that, but I'm not totally sure how it's done. Any suggestions?

New Stuff

Been a little busy lately, had some free time during the x-mas break and got to making pots. There's 3 ring vases, but only one picture, they're all about the same. I made one a while back and it was very popular at the gallery, so... Also some bowls, but not in sets, the top view bowl is rather large, the biggest I've ever done actually, clocking in at 2 kilos. the smaller one just an experiment in shape. And lastly, the pitcher is about 1 & 1/2 kilos and it's not actually leaning like that, it's just the angle of the camera, honest!

It's Over 100!


I just want to say thanks to everybody who has stopped by this blog, some time during the New Year my page view count went over 100!! Thanks! As the new year begins, as part of my resolutions I will keep up with the posts, and pictures. Again, thanks to all!!