Kasumi Pottery Studio Weblog

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2008 - Day 1

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:41:53 GMT

It rained during the morning set up but the sky cleared up for the rest of the show.

Some pottery artists work that can be seen at the show includes Harvey Chan and Yumi Onese, Sculptural works by Lauren Blakley and decorative works by George Cho (Joe Hyun).

The Large Teapot is Ready for Display

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:16:42 GMT

The large teapot is finally finished and ready for display at TOAE this weekend.

The large teapot is made from paperclay with a thin coating of ash glaze. It stands 65 cm in height by 44 cm width.

Ash Glaze Application

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:38:19 GMT

It was a relief that the bisque firing went well.

The next step is to apply the glaze and fire the teapot again. We will post the result.

One more week to the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. Kasumi is hoping that this piece will make it to the show.

Building an Extension to the Kiln.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:00:50 GMT

Some pointers are given to Kasumi by Ian at Tuckers Pottery in Richmond Hill.

In her studio, Kasumi proceeded to place a layer of firebricks on her kiln. The removal of the lid from its hinges is necessary. As a finishing touch, Kasumi inserted some insulation fiber to visible gaps between the bricks.

The large teapot is now ready for bisque firing.

Large Teapot

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:57:39 GMT

Kasumi built this large teapot few weeks ago but unable to complete it. It was slightly oversized for her kiln.

She will try to add some bricks to her kiln to accomodate this piece.

Hard at Work in Her Studio

Thu, 22 May 2008 21:56:28 GMT

Kasumi is producing various pieces for this year's TOAE. She hopes for more new designs and flavours.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2008

Sat, 17 May 2008 22:23:25 GMT

Kasumi will be participating this year's TOAE. This is the city's largest outdoor art event. Kasumi is once again busy trying to create new items for this show. I will try to post new photos.

Rest

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 22:19:32 GMT

After a long liver illness, our beloved pet, India is now resting.

Fragility and Hope

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 01:47:47 GMT

A Mutifaith Art Exhibit
to enable artists to voice the challenges and concerns we face around the AIDS epidemic.

Tina Conlon and other selected artists shows their art works in the Archives and Museum, St. James Catheral Parish House to concide with XVI International AIDS Conference, August 13 to 18, here in Toronto.

Item shown is called "Ting" Ceramic Bowl

The TING or Three Legged Cooking Pot, may possibly have developed out of the need to warm food and drink over a low fire by resting three similar cone shaped pots against one another with their mouths touching - in a sort of pyramid shape over the charcoal embers. One pot with three points or legs will straddle a pile of embers and allow the heat to warm the pot better and is more stable than three pots just touching. However it originated, the tripod shaped pot became popular in China and in historical times was called a ting.

This idea was taken from a Neolithic bowl found in Hunan dated from about 3rd millennium BC. Women in some pre-literate cultures painted their breasts with this spiral pattern. The three main shapes which comprise the main form of the pot are close to the form of an udder or breast. Just as this bowl could have been used as a pot for cooking and sustained the living, such a vessel would also have been a grave gift. These forms suggest that this offering contained life-giving milk to sustain the living, or, if a grave gift, the dead person. Such bowls are not an uncommon grave find. This tripod form is one of the very few distinctive prehistoric ceramic shapes which survived into historic times in China.

For more information about this art exhibition, visit: http://www.stjamescathedral.on.ca/.

A Conversation with Norm Wheeler at the TOAE 2006

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:40:21 GMT

Located in the orange section of the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. His humble white canopy booth is contrasted with an impressive array of woodfired pottery display.

Reminiscent of Bizen style of pottery, Norm's focus is form rather than decorative. As a young student, Norm's free spirit lead him to England where he had worked with large kilns learning all he can about the theories and principles of firing.

Back in Canada, Norm attended a summer workshop in the early 70's with Don Reitz. During this time Norm found his calling as a full time potter. Since then Norm has been producing work with spontaneous finish. Some pieces are thrown thick then carved in an improvised manner similar to a painter's broad brush strokes. Fired in his train style wood kiln, Norm's work shows life and movement. He is often asked if his work is functional - "Absolutely", he responds. His work is regularly seen as sculptural rather than functional.

Norm plans to rebuild his kiln so he can produce a much larger pieces.