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and fail, getting into a competition is recognition in itself. It is a learning process
and you can judge yourself how your work compares. All of these competitions
have very good exposure for the beginning and mature ceramic artists. It actually
becomes the standard of how successful you might be.

There are no similar competitions in Canada; maybe one in Quebec, but that is
all. We should have similar competitions, in B.C. first then nationally.

L: Is ct difficult to promote yourself in Canada?

K: In Japan, you have an agent who sells the artists’ work. ‘To get mto the New
York market, you need an agent—in Canada you don’t need an agent, but it is
very different and more difficult. When I go to a craft market and sell directly to
customers, it is difficult for me to promote myself.

L: What glazes do you use and how do you produce or refine your glazes?

K: [use clear glazes with my work and I am refining them all the time. I am always
working to make the glaze whiter/clearer to give me a brighter cobalt, I really
want bright colors. Clear glazes tend to be yellow, buff white or mat.

I learned glaze calculation in Japan, but when I came to Canada, I couldn’t
translate my training in materials and temperatures to what I found here. The
cones were different, the temperatures were different. I had to go nght back to
the basics and build from there, just make it work.

Lalso like to test natural materials; lam always on the look out fornatural sources
and I am very curious about using natural matenals, I am currently expermenting
with some matenals that I brought back from Whistler and Kamloops.

L: When you have a problem where do you go to find solutions?

K: I just work it out myself. Basically, I find out how to solve the problem by
working harder and longer until the issue is resolved. Work seven days a week, as
long as it takes just working through the process.

L: Who are some of the potters you admire and
whose work you follow?

K: There were several Japanese potters that I
admired, but they have all passed away.

L: What work are you challenging yourself
ntth now?

K: There are several pieces that I am working
on (we went into his display area and he showed
me examples of his new work.) This sculpted
hand and shoe piece is something I am working
on right now. I sculpted the hand using my own
and my daughter's hands and arms as examples,
and then I cast them in plaster. The clay in the
finished form is translucent and I have cut
small holes that are filled with clear glaze which
enhances the appearance of translucency. I like
to work with modeling the form first and then
casting the original in plaster then slip casting
the finished pieces. This is what I did in Japan

and I find it quite exciting.

Kinicht Shigeno’s website http://members.
haw.ca/kshi todex.h

Lents Kennett

POTTERY &
ARCHAEOLOGY TOUR OF

SOUTHWEST ENGLAND

Greenbarn’s catalogue i Ss
now available online.

HF

In an effort to be move enwiconmentally
i pear healed ida

ave out our
Se Oo ee
available on our website.
(oa)

Now you can check prices and, item
core jut ee

www.greenbarn.com

9548 192 Street,
Surrey, B.C. VAN 3R9
Phone: 604.888.3411
Fax: 604.888.4247

8

Tuesday-Friday 9-5
Saturday 9-1

Closed Long Weekends
greenbam@telus.net

Ween barn

POTTERS SUPPLY LTD.

Alan and Gillian McMillan have once again
organized a holiday in England, primarily for
potters.

The tour is planned for next Spring,
May 25 - June 6, 2008 and will start and end
in London.

It is scheduled at that time of year for lovely
weather and to avoid the peak season
cost.

We plan to visit the studios of Walter Keeler,
John Leach and several others, Fine Craft
Galleries and take walks around interesting
archaeological sites and castles in the West
Country.

The comfortable journey in a 24-seater
coach will take us to St. Ives, Salisbury,
Wells, Bath, the Wye Valley and Stoke-on-
Trent to see Pottery Museums and factories.

Accommodation in good quality hotels,
most meals and all entrance fees are
included.

If you would like to know more please e-mail
or phone us for a full itinerary and price.

Gillian McMillan

memillan@sfu.ca 604 937 7696