POTTERS
GUILD

of BRITISH

COLUMBIA
a
NEWSLETTER

¢ bc potters

uly/ August, 2004 Volume 40 No. 7
July/ Augu:

"MOVING SHADOW'S'

It has been more and more apparent to me over the years that I have difficulty relaxing. I feel guilty read-
ing a book in the middle of the afternoon or taking a nap unless I am sick. I have trouble just sitting! This
has not been the case all my life, and it's too bad some of my great ability to lay in the sun on the beach all
day or crash in the hammock with a good book as a teenager couldn't be transferred to adulthood and mid-
dle age.

I have realized that relaxation for me must become an "Art". The Japanese have the Art of Tea, the Art of
Ikebana (flower arrangement), the Art of Incense, Gardens, and perhaps some I have not yet been intro-
duced to. In a sense they are "Arts of Relaxation”. These are age old and looked upon with great respect.
They make one aware of one's being and surroundings. The stage is perfectly set.

In Moving Shadows I hope to create an atmosphere that makes one want to sit in his/her garden, on the
deck or in a comfortable room and watch the candle flicker, perhaps enjoy a favorite drink, feel special and
perhaps a little decadent.

To set the stage I have chosen the lantern and other containers for candles. I started making lanterns after
my 3rd trip to Japan in 1996 when I was introduced to Japanese gardens, and in turn became more aware
of not only the components of these famous parks but also of the grounds surrounding temples and shrines,
or the incredible small green space. _ All of these are favorite locations for lanterns. These continue to
evolve and my fascination with the Toro (long "o"), Andon etc. has remained, along with my love of the
sake server of which there are many. And, if you are not sitting amongst the trees or in the garden you might
need an earthy vase to ground you and in which you can tease your senses with artful cre-
ations.

Natural textures and colours play an intricate part of setting this stage. Most of the work
is fired in my wood kiln using two clay bodies, which I mix. I like working with clay that
has grit, clay that looks like the earth and sand. By using clays which
contain iron and by firing or cooling down with a reduced atmos-
phere in the kiln different effects can be achieved. In this mix of nat-
ural ash and colour you will find variations of shino type glazes, both
wood fired and gas fired. Now if you have a sweet tooth, this is the
tease of cream on top of the fruit and chocolate to take you away
from the stresses of daily life.

Moving Shadows is "sakuhin" which age with grace and I hope you
will want to touch, use and enjoy.

Lynne Johnson

Photos: Lynne Johnson