swanceramics.com » Publicity

Mashiko Exhibition in the Netherlands 2

swanica — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:01:32 +0000

Last week I was in Holland. It was wonderful to be with my family especially after such a long time.
On Friday December the 9th I went to the Opening reception of the Japanese Exhibition of 15 Mashiko potters at the Tiendschuur Museum in the city Tegelen. It was organized to help Mashiko, to give them recognition in the world and a way to sell their work outside of Mashiko. The city was devastated after the earthquake of March 11, 2011.

I made some movies:
- http://youtu.be/FkhGZV_EPwc About the exhibition.
- http://youtu.be/_F4vxCZ_DNQ About the historical surroundings of the show.

- http://www.flickr.com/photos/swanica/sets/72157628372545471/ A slideshow of the exhibition and the surroundings.

Tegelen is a village in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands. It was an independent municipality until 2001, when it was merged into the municipality of Venlo.
The name of the glacial era of Tiglian (part of the Pleistocene) is derived from Tegelen because of the many fossils found there from this era in the local clay.
During excavations in Tegelen Roman pottery and tile ovens were found. The Sint-Martinus church is mentioned in diocesan and monasterial archives dating back to the year 800. Because of its strategic location, various castles and reinforced farms were soon established. The most important of these were the Castle of Holtmühle (with the barn Tiendschuur) and the Munt. During the Middle Ages, there were several battles in and around Tegelen, because of its proximity to the walled city of Venlo.
Early in the 19th century Tegelen developed into a regional centre of industry. At first, tile and pottery factories were established, and later that century, metallurgy and tobacco factories. After 1900 agriculture was added to the mix. Pottery and related industries were very successful in Tegelen from 1750 until World War II. They specialized mainly in the low fire red earthenware with a lead glaze. The pots were decorated with slips in many colors and engraved.

The centuries old expertise in ceramics and pottery is kept alive by courses held in the ceramic center of Tiendschuur.

ACGA Book

swanica — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:35:40 +0000

I am an exhibiting member of the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California. Mainly Bill Geisinger, a member, assembled and produced this collection of ACGA members in a book. Other members supported and assisted him in the execution of this book to continue the spirit of the ACGA.

The Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California was founded in 1945 to promote ceramic arts, craftmanship, and personnel expression. The membership reflects a diversity of California ceramic artists in design and inspiration. The complexity of the natural environment and the many cultures of our residents have created an environment for artistic creation. Artists have benefited from this atmosphere. The book is a sampling of the members and their ceramic creations.

And tomorrow I will have my last radiation treatment!! DONE! And one answer on the question on what I will do with all my time…….. Return to my workshop!!!!

For Adriaan’s birthday we went to Teatro Zinzanni’s in San Francisco for a dinner/circus entertainment!

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“Kamakura-Red” Booklet

swanica — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:52:42 +0000

Publication of “KAMAKURA-RED” booklet

swanica — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:06:18 +0000

My second booklet: “Kamakura-Red”, Ceramic Adventures in Japan II, a brief autobiography got printed this month. I am very proud of this publication. A lot of work in research, in authorization of pictures, in writing and editing in Microsoft brought a wonderful result.
Also, a map of Kamakura with seven locations of where my booklet will be sold, is included.
I am still in the US after the happening of the terrible disasters in Japan. I canceled my “Sakura” exhibition. I would have come out with my book then in Kamakura, but now it has to wait. I would have returned the 23rd of March and still had to do 2 firings before the exhibition. There were still rolling black outs and then use this electricity for my “luxury” work. I could not make myself do that. Better use it for hospitals to save lives. This is a strange feeling: I want to be there, I feel connected and we have a lot of friends there. I want to experience it whatever there is to experience and I want to help them. But I left before this all happened and then decided to stay longer so I could work in California I am lucky that I have 2 workshops. But the feelings are very ambivalent and a feeling of guilt. People tell me not to have that and to feel lucky. But well.
I hope to be able to get back soon and that the situation improves. So many people died and so many people are in such a dire situation. It is incomprehensible.

If you are interested and would like to order my booklet, please, click on the yellow tab of my Etsy Store here on this website.

Mashiko Award Vase in 500 Raku Book

swanica — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 03:09:38 +0000

My Mashiko Special Judges’ Award “Four Season” Horsehair Vase is published in the 500 Raku book with subtitle: bold explorations of a dynamic ceramics technique. The book is published by Lark Crafts in their “500″ series of craft books: www.larkcrafts.com.

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Off to Mashiko!

swanica — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:49:59 +0000

I just have some minutes to put on some pictures on my blog and then I am off to Mashiko. I am renting a van and friends Rob and Yuka-san come to help me and drive up to Mashiko. Adriaan has problems with his back, so, this is wonderful. Now some pictures.

“Reaching for the stars”

“Flying high”

“Flying towards the Sun”

“Swooping”

Sorry, have to go. Some more later. Watch for the videos!!

Toko Gallery Exhibition in Mashiko

swanica — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:43:37 +0000

Ceramic Horsehair and Kamakura-Red Exhibition: “Wings: love is a bird, she needs to fly”

Toko gallery

postcode 321-4218, Jonaizaka 2, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi

The dates of the show:Saturday November 27 – Thursday December 9.

Opening hours:10-6pm.Last day till 5pm.Closed on Friday December 3rd.

Reception on Saturday November 27 from 6-9pm.

With performance of a dance by KAN-ICHI-san (Segawa)

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Lecture at Kamakura YMCA

swanica — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:09:24 +0000

On May 21, 2010, I gave a lecture at the Kamakura YMCA . This is an English Seminar. It is a group of people who is interested in continuing their knowledge of the English language. Almost everybody lived abroad for a while in an English speaking country of the world. They invite English speaking people to talk about a special topic. I got invited and made a Powerpoint presentation and brought some of my work: especially the Kamakura Red work of course here in Kamakura.

They were very interested in my work and asked wonderful questions. And I had a great time telling them about my work and life.

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My ETSY.COM STORE

swanica — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:17:09 +0000

I opened a store online with ETSY.COM. Please, click the yellow button on top of the page, click the URL and it will bring you in the store. Thank you for visiting.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/swanceramics

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In the JAPAN TIMES!!!

swanica — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:09:54 +0000

Yesterday, May 1, 2010 there was an article about me in The Japan Times written by Angela Jeffs about my Horsehair Ware and Kamakura-Red Ware. The URL of the article:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100501a1.html

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