fresh from the kiln

The beginner course at Maru & An Ceramics Studio has been completed. Here are the results from the first half of my studies. //Larger pieces are still to be fired//

[coil/asymmetrical vase/carved design]

[slab building]

[slab plates decorated with three different Korean techniques]

[slabs manipulated with stones, sticks, and soda powder; then formed or carved]

[the cupcake, which makes all the Koreans laugh // dedicated to Mara Theophila]

And now I move on to a sore wrist from hours spent mixing clay up and down, and finding my center on the wheel.

here.there.everywhere.

bits and parts of Korea these green eyes have seen

in progress....

the latest work [in progress] from the basement studio on Hagwon-ga....

My final project before graduating to the wheel was to be something I design and make using the learned hand building techniques, and I could not seek the assistance of my teacher. Well, I designed it, and then changed the design twelve times during the building process. I also heavily relied on my teachers clay wisdom.

But it's still standing. We will have to see what a final tier and fire does to it.

산 & 도자기

Wolchul-San National Park

Wolchul-san was the mountain destination this weekend. Sporting headlamps the mountain trekking began at 5 AM. Slow and steady was the motto for the hike because of the men left behind last time on Jiri-san. We reached the suspension bride for sunrise. The bouncing, orange bride spans over a deep valley and paddy fields in the distance.

The sun rose and we took in the beautiful warm colors and glowing trails. As we approached the peak of the mountain a billowing black cloud consumed the sky and dropped the first snowfall on us. From this point on I was pretending I was climbing Mount Everest. The wind was whipping around, the snow was sticking, we even had some hail.

[when the snow was still beautiful and friendly]

[the sky opened on the paddy fields]

[Team B coming down the grass field seeking victory]

Team B stuck together through the slips and the twists with a bit of makali and cucumbers to aid us on the mountain. After the peak we charged along the ridge for a few more hours. At the bottom of the mountain was a quiet temple and warm restaurant. We drank as much coffee and tea as possible. Teams exchanged stories of where we were when the black cloud took over.

Yeongam Pottery City

Before going back into Seoul we stopped in Yeongam at the Gurim Village to check out the areas famous ceramic work. We were lead in a pottery play session were we all tried our hand at coiling and slab work.

[teacher/sun-sang-nim]

[our to-ja-gi work]