In Australia right now, you would expect some roaring summer temperatures. Not so! We are having the coolest summer ever I think. Fortunately I have been firing so my kiln is warming my studio very nicely.
I would like to tell you a little about an adventure I have been having over the last few years. I have been fortunate to make a delightful connection in Japan through contributing to some International Exhibitions there. In 2007 I received a grant from the Australia Council to go and study Japanese enamelling techniques with a gentleman who has become my mentor and dear friend. Mr Sakurai is now eighty eight years old and has worked for his company, the Ando Cloisonne Company, all his life. So you can see he has a depth and breadth of experience and understanding that is truly impressive.
I have been back to study with him three times since then and on each visit I have concentrated on a particular technique. In my practice, I wanted to be able to work on a larger scale. I completed a post graduate year of studies in 2006 where I worked on larger forms utilising low firing temperatures to create richly textured surfaces. The image below is from a grouping of work based on bushfires. As you know, we have plenty of fierce bushfires in Australia and after one event near my old house, I went out and photographed the ravaged areas over a few months. It is amazing to see the devestated blackened and ashen ground gradually give way to the tiny and delicate green and ruby shoots of new growth.
Now, my Japanese studies have allowed me to return to using cloissone and start exploring it on smaller vessels.
There were two techniques I studied at first; Yusen Shippo and Doro Shippo. Yusen Shippo is really the same as Cloisonne work (shippo being enamel). I have used Cloisonne for years, though now I was learning to apply the wires to a three-dimensional object. This was quite challenging and I learned many interesting tricks. The second technique, Doro Shippo, is actually about the enamel. That is, Doro is a primitive form of enamel that has a rather stone-like quality when fired. It is pretty finely ground, so when mixed with water, it’s quite like working with mud!
I have started working on two brooches using the Doro Shippo. As I have had quite a break from work while re-establishing my studio, it takes some time (and often some dud enamelling) before I get in the zone again. So, start small and work slowly. Don’t make assumptions!
