Bamboo with Rain Drops

So seldom do we have Summer rain that I find these pictures of rain drops quite fascinating. I think this is the third that I have posted. The grass and gardens are lovely and fresh looking this year as opposed to our usual Summer drought.

Cobweb with Seeds

This photo was taken a few days ago after a windy night. The seeds are from nearby birch trees and would not be very palatable to the spider. Two days later the old web had gone and had been replaced with a pristine new one.

Vincent's Platter

Here is the photograph of the other platter that I promised. This was probably one of the most colourful pieces we ever took from our anagama. Some time ago Estelle and I wrote an article for Ceramics Monthly (April 1995) and spent a lot of time and money to have high quality colour images to illustrate the article. Unfortunately the editor at that time knew very little about wood firing, let alone anagama firing, and did not appreciate the colours we had obtained. The article was printed with monochrome images only which was rather sad.

February New Moon

This image was taken a few days ago of this month's new moon. Not a very good photo as I did not use a tripod but one I quite like.

Small Fungus on Old Acacia Wood

This bright orange fungus is only 50 mm. across and is growing from a crack in a very old piece of acacia wood used as a seat by my water-lily pond.

Small Tsubo

This small tsubo (storage jar) is 250mm high and about the same diameter. It has a very smooth finish for an anagama fired pot with lovely colours all around. The four little lugs around the shoulders are called "hana" meaning "flowers.

Janurary Full Moon

Another full moon picture - actually it was the day before full moon which was just as well as the next evening was cloudy.

Large Platter

This large platter was made over an aluminium glazing wok and fired in our anagama kiln. Its diameter is 500mm. Making such a large slab of clay is hard work as is turning the platter over when it is drying - two people and two very large batts and good co-ordination.

Very Tall Flowering Plant

This plant grows to a height of 1.5m and has these lovely flowers and lots of very viable seeds. I have no idea where it came from - it just arrived about two years go. I need to take care as it could very easily become a weed.

Polygon Container

I'm sorry I do not have a picture of this container in use. The idea is of a craggy rock with a windswept tree growing from it. With careful arranging this can be achieved with plant and flower materials. The pot is a challenge to make and I am sure each one was slightly different as it depended on which edge of each slab was assembled first.

Ring Vase

This is another extruded vase which Estelle has arranged. The little thrown base does not contain a lot of water and the arrangement needs to be balanced carefully. One I had for myself fell in an earthquake last year and was broken - too many pieces to be able repair.

Michelia Fragrans

This lovely shrub has finished flowering now. I wish I could post some of its perfume on my site for you to share.