Tomobako

When I was in undergraduate school (East Carolina University) working towards a BFA, I was introduced to the book, "How To Wrap Five More Eggs", a publication on traditional Japanese packaging. My minor study was wood design (my major being the obvious...ceramics) so I started making wooden containers based on this concept.

Years later, I now find myself reconnected with Japanese packaging through "tomobako", or wooden presentation/storage boxes, for my ceramics. I am very fortunate to have a friend living in Japan that has these made for me and shipped over. In an effort to make these boxes more personal, and not an attempted copy, I started investigating abstract brushwork using acrylic paints. Here is a recent box, which accompanies the guinomi shown:  

Kristin Muller Kiln Firing

I was privileged to have a few pieces in Kristin Muller's November 2012 anagama firing at her studio in Pennsylvania. Here is a very nice sake cup (guinomi), with natural ash glaze, that was in the front stack:

This is the front stack after the firing, prior to unloading:

Sake cup (shown above) on tripod

Kristin's kiln is an anagama/noborigama hybrid:

Sculptural Form

This is a sculptural piece recently wood fired in Tim Rowan's anagama, and reduction cooled. I am working on formulating a clay body that responds well to this type of firing, and has a course particle size. This is my most current clay test.

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(View A)



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(View B)



Vase Forms: Sculptural and Utilitarian

The wood fired bud vase shown below was juried into "Vase Forms: Sculptural and Utilitarian Ceramics". Juror Matt Mitros selected works that explore the subject of the vase and its use as a vessel,  functioning as decorative objects themselves or as a canvas to convey a conceptual idea.  This exhibition will be shown at the Arts Alliance of Georgia's Studio 101 Gallery, 101 Emma Lane, Suite 110, Woodstock, Georgia (Woodstock is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area). Exhibition dates are February 8th through March 3rd, 2013.



Bud Vase