New series - Floral calendar

I had wanted to make new series of works since early 2017. But due to commitments and deadlines I was unable to start it; new types of works take a long time to be completed. There are several steps of trying, experimenting and working out how to make technically and, often failures. In January 2018, I allocated a block of time for it. They were Landscape girls. From there I branched out to Floral calendar, they are those I will share today.

The first ones took several months to be completed. But once I found out how to make one after technical problems were solved, I was able to concentrate on making details. Even so, the record hot summer caused headaches during making. As I have shared photos of work in progress, The first four were spoken for before completion. They all went to a nice homes. As I am typing this, June drop is only one available. Details are here.

Floral calendar. I made one by one when I saw those flowers during walks. They are those give me enormous joy during walks around our house, in the garden and in the woods nearby.

Cherry blossom - April
There is a small cherry tree I like very much. It grows in front of an ugly building. But it has the prettiest warm pink flowers of all cherry blossoms. I visit it and talk to it during walks.
 

Cherry blossom - sold

Cherry blossom 

Lily of the valley - May

These beautiful poisonous flowers are in the woods we walk. The scent is so lovely. I also have tender memory of them seen in Hokkaido in Japan when I was about six.

Lily of the valley - sold

June drop - There are lots of tiny applets that fall from apple trees in the garden in June. I feel a bit sad when I see them even though I knew it is good for the tree.  

June drop - Available

Kikyo, Balloon flowers - July

Kikyo is the flower of Japanese summer. They are on summer kimono, wind chimes and lots of things used in summer. When I came to the UK, I missed them so much, I grew them from seeds. They are established now, and come up every year. 

Kikyo - sold

Fairy rings - September
Mushrooms are fascinating. They are closer to animals than to plants, they say. There are lots of various types in the woods. They never fail to amaze me.

Fairy ring - sold

Ceramic Art London 2018

Before and after Ceramic Art London, 23-25 March. I had been hectic. At one point, I thought I might become mad! But I had kept my sanity, just. The result was the best ever. Although it is important to consider all other effects like media, promotion etc. from the prestigious shows like CAL, it is the upmost important to me and, I'm sure, most of others, to have good sales. Some visitors don't realise that how much time and effort as well as costs were put into to do a big show. In my case, literally months' effort.

So we are very pleased that all went very well. Thank you so much.   

Here are those sold at the show.

Departing - sold

Rabbit with Enso - sold

Departing and Rabbit with Enso went to a lovely gentleman. 

Girl with red shoes - sold

Red shoes are always popular. She went to a  lovely couple.

Holly - sold

Holly went to a nice gentleman. I was told she is a secret gift for his wife.

Mad Tea Party - sold

Mad Tea Party went to a ceramic school run by a lovely lady. Afterward I head and saw the photos of the works made by children who were inspired by the mask. How nice!   

Red shoes - sold

She went to a lovely couple.

Rabbit - sold

He has gone to a nice lady who visited with her lovely friends.

Owl - sold

He went to a nice couple. I had known one of them for a few years on Twitter. How lovely!  

Frenchie - sold

Pug - Sold

Frenchie and Pug went together to a lovely lady who lives with Frenchie and pug! 

Magic mushrooms - sold

Magic mushrooms went to a nice lady.

Lotus - sold

Lotus went to a lovely lady. She saw lotus in flower in Japan. How wonderful! 

Lots of small animals have also gone. White rabbits sold out. Anteaters also sold out. It was a great show!

Here is the stand after PV. Already some pieces had gone! We were too late to take photos of them.

Les Tupiniers du Viex Lyon

We went to Lyon with Eurostar in May 2015, just after they launched a direct train from London. Lyon has been my favourite city in France. I had visited there for quite a few times since I was in my twenties.

After a summer show in Hatfield. I thought it would be great to have a long weekend especially they have Les Tupiniers du Viex Lyon, annual ceramic market. I saw in the website, 'A law by Charles VIII from 14 July 1492 authorizes the “tupiniers” to organize their annual market at Place Saint Jean.' With the love of history and tradition, I felt I must visit the market.

I have seen many ceramic arts and pottery in the UK through the fairs I have taken part in. It is nice to see something different and new in other countries. 

It was a glorious morning. There were already lots of people there. 140 stands under the sun in front of Cathedral Saint-Jean.

The view from the cathedral. Basilicque de Fourviere on the hill.



The market was also in the courtyard.




Also on the streets.



Beautiful cathedral had several gargoyles on it.




My favourite Basilique de Fourviere on the hill. We will visit a few days later.

We did come back next day for the last look. We bought a few more things. 

Lightweight, and beautifully made with details. All are stoneware ceramics. Blue big bowls for Udon, Japanese noodles, small for rice bowls, platter for a chocolate cake, cheese and biscuits. Expressionist bowl for pasta in cream sauce. 

I was brought up with high quality ceramics; my mother loves ceramics. each meal you use, you feel the hands and thoughts of the potter. 

Nice ceramics have nice foot rings. 

They look like paintings. Corinne Betton.

Reduction fired bowls with painterly decoration under white glaze. I love them. 



I fell in love with beautiful water marks. Jean-Luc Pirot

They look so easy to use, and well made.  Jean-Luc Feltrini

We had stayed four days in Lyon.  It was a lovely break for us.

Photos of Lyon: Mike

Art in Clay, Hatfield

It was the hottest summer on the record, they say. My memory of the summer was working hard. Once the show was over, so was summer. I feel slight regret and sadness, but luckily autumn has started nicely with warmth, bright sunshine and cool nights.

Art in Clay was like a long party without stiff drinks or much sleep, neither. Lots of old customers I have known came. How wonderful! Mike and I both agreed it was the most enjoyable show that we have done.

We have also met new awesome customers! What a joy! Thank you so much!

Here are the works which went to new homes.

Amazonica - butterfly paradise - sold

Lamb - sold

Lady in ancient Japan - sold

 

Koala - sold

The Rock Age - sold

Bird nest - sold

Imara the baby giraffe and her friends. Rabbits are available.

My first sloths, 2 toed and 3 toed, Panda, and white cat went to loving homes. 

Polar bear, fox, quizzical dog, sleep owl and the sloth now live in their new homes. 

Owls are popular. The little chick had to stay in the tent overnight alone!  

Setting up day

It was great to be able to meet so many people! Thank you so much! You made the show successful.

I'm aware that I haven't written about CAL, and all other things yet. It has been hectic and too hot to use my office during summer. I will catch up, soon. 

Featured on Ceramic Review March/April issue

I have been hectic with prepration for Ceramic Art London 23-25 March. Finally I am able to see the end of tunnel. It's a great relief.

 Today I would like to share the Ceramic Review article on me in the March/April issue. The interviewer is Sue Herdman, one of the nicest persons on the circuit, I met her at my first Ceramic Art London in 2015 while she was the editor of Ceramic Review.  Photos were by the talented Cristian Barnett, who more or less specialises in the photography of food.   

There are six pages with lots of beautiful photos. What else could I want?



You could order a copy if you would like one from

Ceramic Review