Bruce Armstrong.

Bruce Armstrong: Eagle.

My favourite sculpture!

This is what statues should be. Not dictators trying to feel self important.

Situated between Melbourne' Southern Cross Station, and the new Docklands precinct.

Pablo Picasso.

Pablo Picasso

Spain/france 1881-1973

Madoura, Vallauris manufacturer

France est. 1938

Vase

1950

earthernware

Hanging rock.

I've been passing Hanging rock on my way to and from Melbourne for a few years now. On my way back from Melbourne today I thought it was about time I took a closer look.

Porcelain bowls.

2 little porcelain bowls. The logo on the front bowl is a rectangle with a circle towards the bottom. Similar to a waste high wheel that I first threw on. So, that's the symbolism for the logo.

I tend to apply it to pieces that need just a little embellishment to the surface. Or if I can't stamp my name on the base.

Glaze and body.

Matte glaze with zircon rubbed into recesses.

Medium iron stoneware clay body.

Gloss glaze with zircon for opacity.

Low iron stoneware clay body.

Gloss glaze with zircon for opacity.

Low iron stoneware clay body.

Forest walk.

How nice it is to have a forest at the back door to stroll through sometimes.
I had some spare time late Yesterday. Not enough time to do any meaningful work, as I was out for dinner last night. So I decided to go for a walk with the camera. The clouds came over so as it turned out, too dull to take photos. So I just had a nice relaxing walk.

Bendigo bushfire; six months later.

Bendigo bushfires.

It's now just over six months after the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7.

A fire ripped through the central Victorian town of Bendigo, killing 1 person and destroying 61 homes. On the same day even larger fires destroyed vast areas of Victoria claiming 173 lives.

It's now almost the end of Winter, and after more than 12 years of harsh drought we have had an average rainfall. Everything is lush and green, with the notorious Oxalis weed taking over much of the burnt out stretches of land. Lets hope that an average rainfall continues, and that this Summer is not the even greater fire risk that we are already being warned about.

Bud vase with Westringia.

Westringia crassifolia

Common Name: Whipstick Westringia.

An endangered shrub-1-2m x 1.5m with mauve-purple flowers in September to October.

Bud vase with Hardenbergia violacea.

Pink flowered form of Hardenbergia violacea.

Bud vase with August flowers.

I can't wait 'till Spring. It's been a cold wet Winter, with another 12ml today. Don't get me wrong, grateful for all the rain, we need it (12+ years of drought) just want some warmer weather.

Above is a collection of flowers I found in my garden today. All indigenous (except the hardenbergia, that's a native). And of course, presented in one of my fav. bud vases.

Tenmoku/slip/satin/porcelain_vessel.

An old favorite. I've dug this one out as I was reminded of Tenmoku. The inside glaze is Tenmoku, a classic Chinese iron oxide glaze; hence another food safe glaze.

The rest is an iron oxide slip on the rim and a magnesium satin glaze on the outside. Clay body is my own porcelain recipe.

Handmade in Melbourne..

Northcote pottery has copies of the book @ $30.00ea.

Assembled vessels.

Formed from thin slabs of rolled clay, with a matt zircon glaze applied and rubbed back. Gloss zircon/white glaze inside.

Penguin pourer.

It seems to resemble a penguin to most people, so hence Its name.

I made a group of these in various sizes for Object Gallery's "Pourers: functional vessels" exhibition that ran from the 11.07.2009 - 26.07.2009. They should still have some.

I am about to make some more this week, though it's a bit of an effort to get myself motivated; they're not the easiest things to make.

I plan to send some to Northcote pottery's new SMALLpieces retail space.

Have a look at SMALLpieces blogspot here.

Small pieces.

Emidio Puglielli has invited me to submit for Northcote Pottery Supplies new venture, SMALLpieces; a retail outlet for new Australian ceramic work.

As well as having Pan Gallery within its walls, Northcote Pottery now has a fantastic space for small hand made ceramics. So, it's soon to be the ultimate destination for all things pottery.

I plan to submit the above beakers, and have some more ideas on the way.

Northcote Pottery Supplies.

142-144 Weston St Brunswick East 3057 Melbourne Australia

John Firth-Smith.

Australian Galleries

At

12 Mary Place,

Paddington, 2021 NSW

This was an exhibition I saw (amongst many) while in Sydney. It ran from 13 - 26 July 2009. As part of the broader "Australian ceramics triennale".

This work by John Firth Smith was the highlight for me. Probably because I know John Firth Smith as a painter as much as for it's originality.

Now if only I could paint as well as he throws....

All photos taken by Sophie Milne.

Edited/cropped by Andrew Widdis.

Object Gallery.

Pourers: functional vessels

"Creamers, decanters, gravy boats, jugs, olive oil drizzlers and aged balsamic swizzlers, pitchers, sake bottles, tea pots, tip them over, pour them out... generous objects which bring something special to a lone cup of tea in the morning or a shared evening meal. Pourers will provide a great opportunity for collectors (and makers!) to purchase a one-off piece from 40 of Australia’s most dynamic and diverse range of practitioners.

Artists: Sandra Black, Les Blakebrough, Louise Boscacci, Mollie Bosworth, Sandra Brown, Trisha Dean, Brigitte Enders, Phil Elson, Lesa Farrant, Susanne Fraser, Honor Freeman, Louise Fulton, Shannon Garson, Malcolm Greenwood, Vicki Grima, Tamara Hahn, Phil Hart, Patsy Hely, Jan Howlin, Marianne Huhn, Chiko Jones, Sandy Lockwood, Liz Low, William Lungas, Janet Mansfield, Keiko Matsui, Bruce Nuske, Cath O’Gorman, Simon Reece, Mel Robson, Owen Rye, Jane Sawyer, Steve Sheridan, Kenji Uranishi, Yi-Hui Wang, Gerry Wedd, Sharon Wessels, Andrew Widdis"

When: 11.07.2009 - 26.07.2009

Where: Object Gallery - Surry Hills, Sydney

417 Bourke St

Surry Hills, NSW 2010

Open: Tuesday to Sunday 11am-6pm

...and while your in Sydney you should also look at: Sabbia Gallery

and Helen Stephens Gallery

Please leave any other exhibition suggestions for Sydney in the comments.

Have a great Australian ceramics triennale.

Kisho Kurokawa: Nakagin capsule tower.

Victor Greenaway.

I went to the opening of Victor Greenaway' exhibition at Skepsi on Swanston on Friday; went back for more yesterday. Simply exceptional. I have not seen work of higher skill and creativity; and I've seen a lot. The high thin walls with a simple thrown line spiraling up from the base prove a master in complete control of his medium. The walls of the vessels obviously not trimmed thinner or joined to gain (pieces over 400mm heigh and millimeters thin) height. The glazes, beautiful and a texture just begging you to hold and feel; though with such a delicate translucent porcelain I dare not. There's also a number of paintings in the exhibition by Victor. These alone could satisfy for an exhibition, but I must say I was far to overwhelmed by the ceramics to think to give the paintings enough attention.

From JULY 1 – JULY 25.

Skepsi on Swanston is at: 670 Swanston Street, Carlton VIC 3053.

Tuesday to friday fom 10:30AM - 6:00PM Saturday from 12:00PM - 6:00PM.

Victor's Images and thoughts on his new work from his Italian studio, click here.

Victor Greenaway also has an exhibition at cudgegong gallery.

102 Herbert Street Gulgong NSW 2852 AUSTRALIA

cudgegong gallery' website has an extensive selection of images. To view, click here.

Exhibition: Italy with Soul: reflections in form & figure 5th Jun 2009 to 20th Jul 2009 solo exhibition

"The new exhibition, Italy with Soul: Reflections in Form and Figure, reflects Greenaway’s recent two year stay in Orvieto, southwest of Umbria in Italy and is his first display of this particular body of work in Australia. Works on display are inspired. Artists and Artworks Victor Greenaway."