"Repair your soul"

“Kintsugi” is a Japanese method of repairing broken ceramics. During my many movings from Japan back to the USA, within the USA and the return to the Netherlands, some of my work broke. Some of them beyond repair but some I was able to mend.
With this Kintsugi method the damage of the broken objects will be aggrandized by filling the cracks with GOLD. It is believed that when something suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful. “All of us developed scars throughout our lives. These scars should not be hidden. Our imperfections can be the birth of something new”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LMKGte0UU

Some of my restored work:

“Caldera” 2 times Horsehair Raku fired; fumed with Ferric Chloride and Kintsugi repair.

Cut+paste Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Cup

“In-Motion” cut+paste Horsehair Kintsugi Vase

“Mishima” cut+paste Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Cup

“Golden Sun” Glazed Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Plate

“Swanflower” Horsehair Raku Kinstugi Vase

White Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Bowl

“Volcano” 2 times Horsehair Raku fired Kintsugi Bowl

White Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Bowl

New Brochure for SwanCeramics 2020

My dear friend Izabella, who is a webdesigner and who designed my first brochure/flyer, updated my brochure and see here:

Outside of the 3-fold brochure

Inside of the 3-fold brochure

Article of "SHORT and STOUT" ICAN Exhibition in Pottery Illustrated Magazine

My teapot “Horsehair Raku Mishima” teapot is included in an article in the Pottery Making Illustrated magazine of the May/June 2020 issue. Due to the cancellation of the NCECA conference end of March 2020, where the teapots would have be shown, they have chosen to showcase the 20 amazing teapots, chosen by editor and ceramic artist Katie Sleyman, in the magazine Pottery Making Illustrated. They have paired the teapots with Ivor Lewis’ article that elaborates on the important considerations of making each part of the teapot.

Please, enjoy the article and beautiful teapots.
https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/pottery-making-illustrated/ceramic-art-and-artists/ceramic-artists/short-stout-an-ican-exhibition/

"Originally published in Pottery Making Illustrated, May/June 2020. http://potterymaking.org. Copyright, The American Ceramic Society. Reprinted with permission."

May 2020; My “Horsehair Raku Mishima” teapot (NUMBER 6) is featured in an article in Pottery Making Illustrated in the May/June 2020 issue: Short and Stout; an ICAN Exhibition.

May 2020; My “Horsehair Raku Mishima” teapot (NUMBER 6) is featured in an article in Pottery Making Illustrated in the May/June 2020 issue: Short and Stout; an ICAN Exhibition.

Horsehair Raku "Spread your Wings" for the Exposition in the National Tree Museum

Yesterday, the blacksmith Jan Cuiper finished the supports for my horsehair raku wings for the exhibition at the National Tree Museum the Arboretum in Doorn , Netherlands organized by the NVK Nationale Vakgroep Keramisten, the Dutch Ceramics Organization.
Unfortunately, the exhibition got postponed to September 2020 due to the Corona virus and pandemie.

I put the wings in my backyard. The title “SPREAD YOUR WINGS” which I came up with was months ago and so depressing now that every one has to stay inside. But at the other hand it is a very uplifting metaphor for the future to take off again after such a difficult time in which many people lost their precious lives due to the virus. My sincere condolences.

The tallest with smallest wings in the back are 2.15 meter or 7 feet high. The smallest with biggest wings in the front are 1.45 meter or 4.75 feet high. It is like they are flying up and get smaller when higher up with the movement of the wings. Then the steel pole moves in the wind like the wing is flying.

Horsehair Raku “Spread your Wings” installation in my backyard. The tallest wing in the back is 2.15 meter or 7’; the smallest front wing is 1.45 meter or 4,5’.

The 2nd tallest wing.

I put the installation in my frontyard so the people passing my house can enjoy it.

Announcement online of the ICAN Teapot winners!!

2020 ICAN Juried Exhibition: Short and Stout

Horsehair Raku Mishima Teapot Set.

https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ican/2020-ican-juried-exhibition-short-and-stout-winners/

"Rise" Ceramics Residency 6

It is about a week ago I left France and the ceramics residency ended kind of abruptly because of the Corona virus crisis. Residents left earlier. Fortunately, all the projects were fired, finished and critiqued and we had our last dinner together.

Dr. Wendy Gers accepted me for this Rise Residency 2020 in Southern France for coaching a group of people coming from over the world to deepen research in ceramics and strengthen our art expression. And how to make ourselves stronger and manifest in the art world.
She is a very friendly, open and generous woman. She guides and helps you finding your way and supporting you in every way. She sees your needs and pushes you to discover new and different ways with a vast knowledge of how the art world works with all its artists.
She understands groups dynamics, is very patient and finds a way to make it work for everybody in the group.

For me she was a great support and gently nudged me in a direction I found for my art expression which I can continue to use in my future work, helped me with my publicity and how to get more out there.

Thank you Wendy for this wonderful residency.

I would like to thank Lauren Kearns, the owner of the studio. She organizes international artist residency exchange programs: the IARE. She helped and guided us in any way possible to make the residency a successful experience.

And then of course my fellow residents who deepened this experience with many knowledgeable conversations, helpful hints, tears and laughter!

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware plate.

Some final products.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware vase.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved porcelain vase.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware vase.

3 engraved works and the yellow plate decorated with underglazes.

Having fun with rectangles to build a sculpture and I used the new decoration technique.

The collaboration dish from Kara, Wendy and I.

During the weekend of March 7 and 8 we visited some museums in Marseille and Nice. Wendy organized that the curator Pierre-Nicolas Bounakoff showed us around the exhibition “Voyage, voyage” in the MUSEM of Marseille. Artist Charlotte Pringuey-Cessac showed us her works in the Terra Amata museum and her exhibition in the Mamac Museum in Nice. We did go to the MAEGHT Museum St. Paul de Vence: a modern art museum and sculpture garden.

In the MAMAC Museum in Nice.

Representation of porcelain chards fired on different temperatures and impressed with Venuses.

The line wall drawing is made in situ with charcoal. This is prove of human life and representation of their world more than 30.000 years ago.

Marc Chagall

These are some works from the MAEGHT museum St. Paul de Vence

Alberto Giacometti

Joan Miro

Alexander Calder

A guest exhibition of Ra’anan Levy in the MAEGHT Museum. I liked it because of all the perspectives.

Borders, migration, mass tourism… these days, questions about travel, exile and getting from one place to another are recurring themes in the act of creating art. The exhibition “Voyage Voyages” invites us to feel the creative immensity that finds a natural home at the Mucem in Marseille and which, since it opened, has favoured a dialogue between cultures.

Like Max Ernst many artist find refuge along the French Riviera during the 2nd World War.

Near the MUSEM Museum.

"Rise" Ceramics Residency 5

Some of my works of this week. It is all drying and still needs to be bisque fired and glazed.

A new kind of decoration with slips and engraving.

A wonderful cooperation between us three; I threw the plates and made the composition, Wendy’s idea and work to paint it red and Kara painted on the letters!!!

Showing the progression of plate decoration.

"Rise" Ceramics Residency 4

Time flies.
A week ago some of us went to Antibes to the Picasso Museum. It is a beautiful old walled-in village.

The city Antibes.

Views from the Castle Picasso Museum.

Picasso String Sculpture.

Some of his works in the museum.

Some of his painted plates with Dali and Don Quichotte on it.

"Rise" Ceramics Residency 3

A vase in progress.

Transformed vase with small slab of clay.

Same vase with added black slip and engraving.

Same vase with more added slops and engravings.

End result of slips and carving.

Now the vase has to dry and then will be bisqued in the kiln. I have no idea how it will look and how I will glaze it. But for the moment it looks great and the vase has a wonderful texture.

I showed the group how to throw a big plate.

I center the clay and pull it up high as far as possible. Then with a slat I push it down.

The flattened pushed out bowl.

The ripples in the rim happen on its own when you push down the rim.

Today, we evaluated and discussed our progress and work.

"Rise" Ceramics Residency 2

The 7 residence people: Sharon, Kara, Sherry, Swanica, Nadine, Karla and Melissa.

The Mediterranean coast toward Cannes.

We’re 3 days in the program and made our acquaintances and introductions and presentations. It is great to meet so many new people again from Australia, Mexico, USA, France, South Africa, and I from the Netherlands.

A delicious “Nicoise” salad.

Beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

My villa mates Melissa from South Africa and Sherry from the USA.

Mediterranean Coast.

We spend quite some time with talking about our goals and how to get there.
We also made some beautiful walks. The rain stopped and the sun came out, although the wind was blowing with refreshing air.

An old church in the neighborhood, but in complete disrepair.

Some red “ocre” colored mountains.

The old church with Mimosa tree.

Today, Kara taught us some “Wire” drawing. First, you had to draw the person across from you with one continuous line without looking on the paper and only to the person. And then after that you made that drawing out of wire. It was not easy, but the results were not bad and we had much fun doing it.
Of course, we also started our work with clay and for everybody that is their own wonderful research and discovery.

Made from copper wire.

I drew Kara’s picture with one line and then used the wire. Not easy.

Kara, who taught the course, drew me and made the wire picture.

The sunset of tonight.

"Rise" Ceramics Residency in France 1

Tomorrow, I will go to Saint Raphael near Nice for the Ceramics Residency “Rise” organized and mentored by Wendy Gers and in the workshop facility of Lauren Kearns from February 16 to March 16, 2020. We will be with around 7 people. Sherry, Melissa and I will be staying in a villa.
I am looking forward to this new experience and challenge!!

https://www.ceramicsresidency.com/france

Lauren Kearns and Wendy Gers

Exposition at "Galerie Tijd voor Kunst"

On Friday February 7 I did install an exposition at a old cloister in which my friend Marian Hoffer has her gallery named: “Time for Art”. I show together with Geertje A. Goede with beautiful paintings.
The exposition is from February 8 - April 24 from Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm at the Rijngeesterstraatweg 40D in the city Oegstgeest, Netherlands.

It is renovated in a big center where many companies found their place and where they rent rooms for meetings and a big cafe. So, my work found its place in different rooms.

“In Motion” Yellow glazed Plate in a small hall

Horsehair Raku Mishima Ware.

Also, please look at the Exhibitions page: https://www.swanceramics.com/exhibitions

2 Yellow glazed “In Motion” Vases in small hall

Geertje and Swanica (Kamakura-Red Ware).

Horsehair Raku Mishima Ware (Funny: I turned the “Heart” Wall Art :) ).

Swanica (“Star Galaxy” Glazed Horsehair) and Geertje.

Swanica (“A Star is Born” Glazed Horsehair) and Geertje.

Geertje and Swanica (Ash Glaze Ware).

Swanica (Red-Yellow glazed Ware: Amphora, Chalice vase, Tripod, Wing Chalice, Greek Vase.

Geertje and Swanica.

One of the winners of the 2020 ICAN Juried Exhibition Short and Stout!

I am one of the 20 winners of the 2020 ICAN (International Ceramics Artists Network) Juried Exhibition at the field for “Short and Stout” teapots. This year’s juror, Katie Sleyman selected 20 Ceramic works to be included in this year’s exhibition, which will be on display at the ICAN booth (#400 in the convention center) from March 25 - 27 2020, at the NCECA Conference in Richmond, Virginia, USA.

All the Winners.

Horsehair Raku Mishima Teapot Set.

Dec 2019 + Jan 2020 Exposition at "Galerie De Pomp" in Warmond, Netherlands

I have an exposition at “Galerie de Pomp” for 2 months from December the 3rd, 2019 with my Kamakura-Red ware.

Kamkaura-Red Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Cups and a Sakura Box.

Kamakura-Red Teapots, Sakura Box, Plates, Vases and Mugs

Kamakura-Red Mugs

Kamakura-Red River Bowl

Kamakura-Red Vases

45 YEAR CELEBRATION EVENT OF THE DUTCH ASSOCIATION OF CERAMIC ARTISTS.

Please, join me at the exhibition of the celebration of 45 years of existence of the Dutch Association of Ceramic Artists on Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1 from 10 - 5pm at the VASIM halls, Winselingse weg 41, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

It was a great weekend with 60 artists putting up their art in great stands and with many people visiting us.

My stand with my Horsehair Raku, all sprayed with ferric chloride for the color: with Mishima black inlay technique; glazed horsehair raku; transformed work; cut and paste work.

Opening of the National Ceramics Association 45 year celebration.

“In Motion” Horsehair Raku Vase

1st Taiwan International Chawan Festival, 2019

Five Chawans of mine participate in the 1st Taiwan International Chawan Festival.
This event will be held from November 1 - November 11, 2019 and is held at the ZHU-NAN Snake kiln in Taiwan.
There is a wonderful program will all kinds of events and travel. Unfortunately, I am not going this year. I visited Taiwan and this beautiful snake kiln last year.

Glazed Horsehair Raku Chawan 1

“Flower” colored Chawan

“Splashed” Colored Chawan

Glazed Horsehair Raku Chawan

I did sell at least 3 of my bowls!!! I am happy!

All the participating artists.

June 22+23 "Landelijk Atelier Weekend" National Open Studio Weekend

Tomorrow, I will join again the National Open Studio Weekend “Landelijk Atelier Weekend” in which more than 400 open studios participate.
I will be open from 11 am to 5pm each day and will give throwing demonstrations.
Please, come and have a look and enjoy my work and show place!!!!

Croatia "Water" Expo June 8 - June 16

I participated in the “Water-fluid of life” Expo at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. It was organized by Atelje Janja Gora namely Branko Supica and Danijela Pesut, and Lou Smedts.

Branko had done a wonderful job tying all the events to the water theme in the form of the exposition at the Hotel Jezero, the opening ceremony, lectures, visiting museums about geology and river fish, the Plitvice Lakes with many waterfalls and waterfalls and lakes in the surroundings and history and culture. All very, very interesting.

The poster of the exhibition.

My Raku horsehair transformed Mishima (brown clay inlay) chawans and cups and Kamakura-Red teapot and chawans.

My page in the catalogue of the exhibition.

Plitvice Lakes and waterfalls.

A beautiful sky!

Plitvice Waterfalls.

Watermills.

Links for more pictures:
https://bsupica.wixsite.com/voda?fbclid=IwAR32ehwyoFqPBbkYeuG2qoVOpkokIHiJoCtS748pDOca6VknzBPNeNL6QQM

https://www.facebook.com/pg/AteljeJanjaGora/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2315809628476488&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCTBC52rTG5ZN0SgivAi4X4ZHSQiSmLBdD52UqLrbo595xD5RKUTyPz3TtR5CCnbss0VQm6XpDgFdwIW8dHHWoEjsGWxJkNYRLVceGTO4lz03XrqWKpPs4w3UTFMPcsBGd8ICxvr8-6Kom1hYNYVwVogJjTjhCwIyPZeazwANUppUEktu8-o8ODR6JrKyxQHPWbqYlp7rRtVF1uknV57AAn1Z4fARIAjrz0O0xT33eGYTkv6y-UHsbEUbF2m1dyXKwh_9eC_nwgVQAm_N0x8nZ5ahgbeodoHa8qMFW7joYU8ZJzT_iq47ZLMxYiwpC8Yjqfs4UP6EbCeyYb95iIS4LWqp1OupUukzgtmsAHBvS_n3TAwm8L6Kb_BrWH6YPQIe9FIGq6Fm0j0jmYXoUpJpngi7o6wv_I_-E1CMZrBGWrdzjo2wmZLtXtDJfGFh16PdMmvd-VS8bxlN95y-1ifrOxgVkTVM93Fdwxam0LrFLxk8x4r2hzW8Hzd4Sm93v55sJELG8-Je5YlLqrUajy2B9cnTggwHMIs6gg&__tn__=-UC-R

Amstellanddag 2 Juni 2019

On June the 2nd I participate in the Amstellanddag. This is a day where you can enjoy the culture-historic landscape of the Amstel surroundings of Ouderkerk with its nature, farmhouses, art and recreation. There is a program with 53 events to visit on this day.
Mine is one of them at my SwanCeramics Art Gallery aan de Amstel and also ‘t Jagershuis aan de Amstel combined with the 2 painters Vanessa Rademaker and Wijnand Slokker.
Please, come visit me and enjoy my works!!!

This weekend is the opening of my gallery and exhibition weekend

This Saturday and Sunday November 17 + 18 quite some dear friends came and I met some very nice new people visiting my new SwanCeramics Art Gallery in my house in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel.
Please, see the pictures of my sign outside and my gallery and workshop. Enjoy!

Sign in my garden

Friend Wilma.