pots & clay

Ceramix 2011 Simply Clay @ Central Library 1-6 Oct 2011

2011-10-02T20:32:00.004+08:00

Catch latest works in my 2nd participation in Singapore's Hwi Yoh group exhibition :)

Special Family Fun Pottery Workshop for Friends!

2011-06-12T15:30:00.005+08:00

Our little poster girl had a super fun time making her own leaf dish and pinching a cute little dinosaur fridge magnet. Her mummy watches as we demonstrates the techniques.

Who says only kids get all excited? We have a lovely couple who made their gifts of love for each other!

This is part one of two special workshops that we are conducting for friends n their families only at Artitude Studio in Ubi. Really happy to meet new folks and to know they had lotsa fun!

PS: We look forward to opening sat classes for the public soon. Classes will be kept small - max 6pax each time for maximum attention for students. Great for friendship, family and team bonding! Email me at kelly@artitude.com.sg for enquries : )

Staying in Gratitude

2011-04-14T20:12:00.006+08:00

How does it feel to always be on our toes even whilst sleeping at night - fearing that a sudden earthquake may bring our homes to pieces in split seconds? To worry that we may not have any more safe, fresh water to drink the next day? To not have any electricity to keep warm in the midst of extreme cold weather? To never see a lost loved one ever again?

When life is so fragile and precious, it really seems silly to get stresed up by small daily matters. I feel guilty of getting caught up in petty concerns, sweating over stuffs that will not matter in the end. Of not loving enough. Not giving enough.

What are the things that truly matters for you, at the end of your time on earth? Do them now...Keep them in your heart.

Let's take a few moments everyday to pray for Japan. May its courageous people inspire us to live our lives more compassionately, more graciously and in gratitude. Our souls walk with them together.

Om Shanti.

Friends' first pots!

2011-03-12T20:28:00.008+08:00

The works are out!

We have here KM's hand slabbed mug as a surprise gift for her mum, CH's and galfren's pinched little works and KS' hand-pinched green tea cup! It was great fun sharing with them how to personalize their own pots - for most of them, this was their first try with clay. Thanks to fellow 'teacher' EK too! Lucky he was there to help me! We did all of these after work one friday evening within 2 hrs, at our little studio. And we all had fun playing with clay like kids! : )

I'm back!

2011-02-25T12:59:00.006+08:00

Sorry that i took 2 months of writing hiatus and not blogging. Was in deep pondering mood, but did not wish to share unnecessary ramblings and wasting your time!

Just an update since late last year, i conducted about 12 pottery classes for Pri 6 students with my teacher Mr Chua and fellow potters, representing Sam Mui Kuang Pottery. We had lots of fun getting the kids to make their own art tiles, with themes ranging from nature, ocean, toys and robots!

The kids loved what they created, and some kids who claimed they had no artistic flair, surprised themselves with their own creativity.

At other times, i was extremely busy with 'work' : )

There are also new handmade pottery pcs to share at my etsy shop, do feel free to browse!

And thanks to your support, a portion of my artist fees from selling my works and teaching was donated to Nature Conservancy, i hope because of our contribution, a dolphin, a frog, a tree or small patch of ocean, forest... was conserved!

Simon Leach's videos

2010-12-05T15:29:00.002+08:00

Watch how spanish potter makes wonderful pots through his gracious sharing of his videos on Youtube : )

Be Free

2010-11-29T21:22:00.002+08:00

A little dish with
A little sea turtle
With a big hope -
May we all be free
From our own self-imposed
limitations, close-heartedness,
fears, attachments, that silly thing that keep us big-headed. That
little ego.

The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard

2010-11-07T10:24:00.001+08:00

Am devouring The Story of Stuff book by Annie Leonard!

She has shown how many Americans are stuck unconsciously in what she calls the 'work-watch(TV/ad)-spend' threadmill. The American way of over-consumption is unsustainable for Earth in the soon future.

Yet, i am sure many who has watched her video and read the book can identify that this is no longer the 'privilege' of Americans, but also the case in Asia - in Singapore, Korea, Japan....and the upcoming China (with its mega population and the new 'rich'!)

Even though Singapore is known to be 'Clean and Green', but sometimes it scares me that our favourite pastime is shopping - large football field-sized shopping malls opening up at every nook and cranny of 'heartland' housing estates of this tiny litle island. I grow up in this culture too, and the need for Stuff seemed to be so engrained into our DNA... the book is a timely reminder for me to be more conscious about how so often, shopping has become the pacifier for that insidious background hum of emptiness, insecurity and spiritual-poverty of the many of us who are fortunate enough to be staying in Singapore.

i am very grateful that because of the changes in my worklife and things that happened in my family the last 2 years, i have come to treasure the valuable time with loved ones and being alone doing the things i love - over meaningless walking in malls and spending hard-earned money on things that bring us only short-term pleasure, but not happiness.

I have also come to know passionate individuals who spend their free-time doing art, or weekends cleaning up the coasts, documenting the biodiversity of Singapore or saving horseshoe crabs trapped in fishing nets in our last remaining mangroves.

Voluntary simplicity is taken up by more and more people around the world, its not about living in poverty or harsh abstinence - but conscious living based on our love for the environment and fulfilling our needs, not greed.

Check out the goodguide on our our everyday choices as consumers can change the way the products are made and our impact on the environment.

To be able to walk on this planet is a miracle. Lets remember to be grateful for the air, water and nature surrounding and sustaining us everyday : )

Mooncakes for the elderly

2010-09-21T14:28:00.004+08:00

Its Mid-autumn festival tomorrow! Last Sunday i finally got the chance to pop by Cherry Nursing Home to pass them 2 boxes of vegetarian halal lotus seed mooncakes for the elderly and nurses!

Its been months since i last went back to visit them this year, and was full of mixed feelings to see the familiar faces of the uncles and aunties...many of whom, because of suffering from amnesia, would not have remembered my face.

One of them was a 100+ years old grandma who was couching on her seat... she smiled cheerfully when i touched her hand and she tried to focus her eyes on me, due to her failing eyesight, whilst talking to me in her dialect. But after our little chat and having bid her goodbye, i was saddened to see that she slowly held her heads in her hands back in sadness...

It was nice though to see some family members who would at least take time to come and visit their parent/grandparent, at least for these elderly, their sunday had been brightened up.

Tomorrow the Home is having a little celebration for mid-autumn, planned by kind head nurse Ms Tan. And sincere thanks to all supporters of Hammyswork, the humble mooncakes that i got for them are actually made possible by you : )

New works sold

2010-09-17T14:05:00.006+08:00

Two recently sold green series teabowls!

Have been very busy with day work for the past 1 month and with International Coastal Cleanup Singapore (ICCS) during the weekends!

Last weekend, 75 of us voluneteers cleared more than 1.5 tonnes of trash from Pandan Mangrove- one of the few remaining strips of mangrove in Singapore. A lot of trash resulted from illegal dumping - and wildlife have to suffer as a result of such irresponsible actions :( See more here!

I suffered several cuts on my legs (should have worn longer berms!) but they are healing well now after close to a week.

This coming sat, we have several thousands of Singaporeans collecting marine trash and doing data collection on the beaches all over the island!

Thank you

2010-08-01T19:13:00.004+08:00

Just like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all who like hammy's works and for your kind support and feedback.

Am currently exploring a new technique to make eco art pcs using 100% recycled/reused materials, i hope i can share them on this blog once i get confident enough!

Its been a rainy weekend. Although i love the dreamy mood in this weather, but am also sad that the unprecedented rainstorms are clear evidence of the impacts of global warming. Check out Real Simple for some of the coolest way to make a green difference with new ideas using old items.

Anyhow, i found precious time spent reflecting, reading inspiring books like Penney Peirce's The Intuitive Way and journaling on a new notebook made from 100% pre and post consumer paper - great find at the bookstore and i hope more such notebooks will become available in the near future!

Hammy's on Etsy

2010-07-18T14:33:00.004+08:00

Am happy to announce that my Etsy shop is now opened! Please visit and give hammy any feedback that you have :B

Its a bit bare now but i'll be adding in more works over time. May i also announce that I'll not be doing any more customized orders at the moment as my other baby Artitude now demands more time and i come to realize that works created spontanouesly from inspiration somehow turn out much better than 'pre-ordered' ones!

Turquoise Mug

2010-06-12T21:41:00.003+08:00

The little speckles on the green mug are form through accident - and they created a wonderful effect.

Doing pottery is so much like living life. When i try too hard, the pot fails. When one relaxes, inspiration and ideas keep coming. We need both left and right hand to make those subtle nuances on the pot... just like we need to tap into both our left and right brain to experience our daily lives more fully... And of course, unexpected 'accidents' happen both in life and in pottery. They come unwanted. But sometimes these need to happen to lead us to where we are meant to be.

Yoga and Pottery

2010-05-30T21:55:00.005+08:00

Getting down-to-earth by wedging clay

My pottery teacher Mr Chua always say that doing pottery is akin to practicing yoga - both train our concentration, balance our left and right brain and make us more serene amidst the daily stresses of modern life.

Indeed, I feel very blessed to be able to undertake yoga sessions under the instruction of JL, my sis, at Indigo Flow Yoga Space. My once very tight hamstring is much more flexible now and am glad my body is not turning too stiff with all the sitting at my work desk.

Am very happy that she shall soon have her own new yoga studio, for beginners in yoga and yoga enthusiasts alike, soooo very near my workplace at Ubi Techpark! It has been a fun family affair, getting all the details ready for this cozy sanctuary - a great transformation from a once stark office!

i've been a lazy student of yoga but i'll train more now!

Centering the clay
Requires a centered mind
Balancing in a pose
Brings our awareness to the present.

Mug for Uncle Don

2010-05-16T16:51:00.003+08:00

Mug for uncle Don in his fav green, white and black!

Uncle Don is a very kind fren who is always on a look out to serve others despite his heavy work responsibilities. He will be going for an overseas mission trip with his church soon to help a group of underprivileged and ill children. So this is gonna be a gift to wish him all the best!

I was also very blessed to be able to attend a workshop by young Venerable Thupten Phuntsok at a new yoga studio Sangha. Venerable was born in Haiti and raised in the United States. He studied extensively with teachers including the 14th Dalai Lama and currently teaches meditation in New York City. I have long heard about him through a dear fren of mine who lives in NY and so was excited to hear he would be conducting a workshop on the Eight Verses of Mind Training - essential Tibetan Buddhist teachings on compassion, wisdom and peace.

There are some teachers whose Being, will induce deep feelings of gratitude when one is in their presence. Venerable Phuntsok is one of them.

During the last part of his teachings, he was hoping to, in his own words 'blow our minds away' by showing us our miraculous the world is as it is.

But what really blew MY mind away, as he ended the session and bowed thanking everyone humbly for listening to him, was the deep compassion that shone through his eyes. He was the one giving away so much. How could we ever repay his kindness!

'The Universe is Pure Magic'

Handmade Essential Oil Burner for Helen!

2010-05-09T16:50:00.006+08:00

A very zen style essential oil burner customized just for Helen! Terracota Grot clay glazed with matt white colour for that very raw and down-to-earth feel!

Something about friendship made me wonder a lot lately. What makes a good and worthy friendship? There is such a wide range of possible 'friendship' - from acquaintances who are merely part of our 'network' (ie purely for utilitarian purposes...to other socially successful people whom we 'friend' on facebook to elevate our ego's status.. ha ha.

There are friends we had many ages ago whom we still remember their faces, at least. And friends we meet every now and then er, because we have to (for fear of being labelled as being anti-social)....

Friends who stay together, simply because they've known each other for so many years, although sadly values have diverged mile apart.

Then, there is that wonderful friendship, in which each cares more about the other than him/herself. It's always about giving and giving... Friends who truly see the best in us and never put us down. We can meet once in half a year and resume our conversations as easily and we have left them the last time. Friends who will pray for each other in their hearts. Friends whom we can drink kopi or bottles of heineken in a coffeeshop and talk about everything under the sun...and for the growth of the soul.

How blessed it is for one to have found a fren of the last genre - and a lifetime is made worthy for having met one!

Elephant Mini Sculpture

2010-04-09T16:54:00.005+08:00

Of all footprints,
That of the elephant is supreme
Of all mindfulness meditations
That on death is supreme
- Buddha

Just wish to share a great passage from the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche:

'Most of us...live according to pre-ordained plan. We spend our youths being educated...find a job, meet someone, marry and have children. We try to make a success of our business, go away on holidays, plan from retirement... Our lives are monotonous, petty, repetitive, wasted in the pursuit of the trivial, because we seem to know of nothing better.' and in our fear of death we try to live our lives as though death is unknown...

May we keep the above in mind and to live consciously in this current precious lifetime.

Hammy needs to lighten up and reflect more often!

Cups for Helen!

2010-03-21T11:26:00.005+08:00

Glazed with White Gloss on the inside, then sprayed and dipped into Namoku Blue for the outside.

This cups is glazed with White Gloss on the inside, and then sprayed once with Speckle White, then dipped a second time, on the front.

All cups are stamped with cute Hammy's face at the bottom! :P

Made 4 cups at for this batch actually, but because 2 of cup's ears show slight cracks after the firing - hence they will be kept for my own use. Ha ha. So i owe Helen 2 more!

Pottery. Earth

2010-03-13T14:34:00.006+08:00

Thanks to great design by Eric of Design Vizio, Hammy's works can be packed professionally as corporate gifts!

Hammy had the privilege to watch the preview of Disney movie 'Earth' hosted by the Singapore Environmental Council. The movie really takes the art of documentary filming to another level, and the wonders of planet earth really humbles the human ego.

We have become so urbanized that wildlife seem so distant and foreign to us, that the reality of global warming has yet become most of our reality.

Please do catch this movie, to be officially launched in Singapore cinemas on Earth Day 22 Apr... its one of those that reminds us how fortunate we are to be able to live on planet earth and to think about what really matters in our lives.

Oh Siew May - Get her book NOW at Bollywood Veggies

2010-03-07T18:36:00.003+08:00

Good news! To all who have long heard of and still like to purchase Scaling Walls - My Story by Oh Siew May, you may now purchase them at Singapore's favorite eco-farm cum restaurant Bollywood Veggies.

This inspiring book has since sold several thousands of copies, and changed the lives of yet so many people, both locally and overseas.

If you visit on the weekends, Siew May will be there and you might even get an autograph from her! On other days, she helps out at the kitchen and bakes the ooooo so delicious muffins at Bollywood Veggies!

Mola mola

2010-02-21T14:57:00.004+08:00

Am sorry for the long absence again, my digital camera passed away 2 weeks ago... was quite upset as it had served me really well! Well, another reminder for me that nothing is permanent in life... and i finally dragged myself to get a new one (fortunately, on sale) yesterday.

The above is one of the 4 impromptu acrylic paintings i did over the last long weekend! Its a bit stiff and too heavy, but i love Mola Mola (ocean sunfish)! My hero of all fishes!

In Singapore there are actually restaurants that take pride in serving Mola Mola as dishes! Its really upsetting that Singaporeans consume these magnificent animals, just like many still eat sharks fin :( Lets all say 'NO' okie?

Bowl - micro crystal green colour

2010-01-30T13:54:00.003+08:00

This is my first glazed and fired bowl after a long absence from the studio. It felt great to be able to work on clay again and am excited to work on new ideas and am wondering if it's time to start Hammy's etsy store! Will have to get a decent amount of new works ready before uploading them ;P

Am also recently reading on Osho's book 'Being in Love' - not a romance book. But addresses the fundamental human search for meaning of love and compassion. Thought provoking and exposes how society and conditioning has skewed the meaning of love and why we imprison ourselves and our proclaimed 'loved ones' through possessiveness and fear, all in the name of love. Strongly recommended!

Hand painted Porcelain Magnets

2009-12-28T21:47:00.003+08:00

This is one of the series of handpainted magnets that Hammy has done.

The backing used is 100% reused kraft paper that Mr Yee from print house Kum Printing has kindly kept for Hammy. An original Hammy logo is printed with a hand made rubber stamp! Makes great little gifts for those special frens around us.

Its been an emotional challenging Nov & Dec for Hammy...but i will hang on! Am grateful to all friends for your words of encouragement and support : )

"The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly" GK Chesterton

Life

2009-11-28T20:34:00.004+08:00

XXXXXXXXX

Life. We have chosen to come and be born as human beings on planet earth. The purpose is to learn through the physical body, about the meaning of Love, Compassion, Truth and Oneness.

Our purpose is also to experience life fully with joy, to learn to live in each moment so that we can ultimately raise our level of consciousness. Without the physical body, we cannot do so.

Yet, all that we need, we are already equipped. The body is the instrument through which we reconnect with our spirituality. Everyone will have different amounts of material things in this game of life, but the lessons are the same. We have perhaps experienced poverty and richness in different lifetimes, but we have to learn the ultimate lesson - that real abundance lies within. To earn a living doing what we love and yet at the same time be aware of how our work can serve others is one of the greatest blessing. But our actual work is spiritual growth. By forgetting our true purpose here, we get lost into the least important things: exams, money, power, status, recognition, being "right", what people say about us, deadlines...

We must learn how to give, that most of our unhappiness are caused by taking (from others, often people we claim we 'love', from mother earth).

We must see that we are one with nature, with all other beings, all events on Earth, in the universe.

We will meet other beings and confront illusions of "us" vs "them", and attachments.
Relationships are there to help us grow, through acts of giving and working through disagreements. As much as we do not wish to, we have to experience physical partings, heartaches, to cry for someone... for these are what make us more human...

XXXXXXXXX

Ash Teacup

2009-11-08T15:31:00.002+08:00

A teacup glazed naturally with sawdust and salt.

Love this teacup that my teacher Mr Chua Soo Kim helped me to fire. He only fires this special technique once in a really blue moon! It has the same effect as wood-fired pots that are so rarely seen now in Singapore, with natual ashes as glaze and a rich texture. Can't bear to use it!

Mug for Khim

2009-10-25T14:59:00.002+08:00

This mug is for Khim who likes it more rugged with simple colours, maybe a little zen feel. I added mulberry leaf imprinted clay onto the surface for a pop up feel. Glazed with matt white on the outside and white gloss on the inside. The leaf is brushed on with Chun glaze :)

Hammy's first thrown teapot!

2009-10-10T11:27:00.006+08:00

Teapot for Helen...my creative friend.

This is my 3rd try making teapot, but its the first on an electric wheel! The first 2 were hand coiled on a bending wheel almost 2 years ago!

Actually, I have this psychological barrier to making teapots because there are quite a few intricate details to note in order to create a good, functional teapot that can be used with ease vs another that is purely aesthetic and not so user friendly. It was only until pal Helen asked me to make one for her recently, that i know i cannot put it off further!

But its really good to face one's fears ha ha.

2 different types of green glazes were sprayed onto the bisqued teapot, making it more visually dynamic. On the inside, transparent glaze was used.

I definitely have to make more teapots after this to refine my skills. Am still using my first little hand build teapot Earth to brew tea when i have the time to unwind...and oooo hammy think its cool to use one's own teapot. hoo hoo.

Crystalline Glaze - My First Try

2009-09-26T23:11:00.008+08:00

Notice the delicate crystal-like patterns on the bottle!

This is my first sake bottle fired using white crystalline glaze, with the help of my teachers Chua Soo Kim and Chua Soo Khim. One side of the sake bottle developed really beautiful crystals. These are formed via a "soaking" process during firing, to allow the crystals to form, hence they take a longer period of time to fire than pots with normal glazes.

Its gonna be a gift for pal Uma. Owed her since June last year after we went to Japan :P If not for her, i think i would not have tried crystalline glaze! Am still amazed how pure chemistry can create such effects!

Hand painted mugs

2009-09-13T11:09:00.004+08:00

Mugs for Siva and Airani

The mugs were thrown with JB3 white clay and hand painted with underglaze after first firing. Laid transparent glaze over as final touch before the second firing. A different effect from the 3D animal pop ups that i used to do and i like this style better!

ICCS Pandan Mangrove Cleanup 12 Sept

2009-09-05T22:50:00.003+08:00

Accumulated trash at Pandan Mangrove

I only knew about this tiny stretch of mangrove still remaining at the south-west part of Singapore last year when i first joined the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore team at NUS a year ago.

Despite clearing 39 tyres, plastic pipes and lots of plastic bottles from the site last year, there are still much accumulated trash to be removed from the muddy tidal pools, amidst fragile breathing air roots of the mangrove forest.

Every year, as the sun rises on a saturday of Sept, people all around the world are up and ready country by county to do their bit for the marine environment. Am glad to be part of this global movement and collecting important data, in little Singapore. Look forward to cleaning up the home of the mangrove creatures, together with close to 80 volunteers next sat!

Healing Workshop for Women

2009-08-30T12:07:00.003+08:00

Entrance to another space

Yesterday, i had the honour to sit in a holistic workshop on women's health held at Sivananda Yoga Centre, a not-for-profit yoga centre unlike the very commercial studios in fitness centres common in Singapore.

The 'workshop' was actually more like a intimate sharing session, by experienced Yoga Teacher Ms Sumukhee, a new healing yoga instructor Ms Ong Ju Lee and Ayurvedic Doctor Nirubha. i learned valuable knowledge like what kinds of food people of different body types (Vata 'air', Pitta 'fire' and Khapa 'water') should take and avoid. For example, i am actually a Vata-Pitta person - tends to speak veri veri quickly, easily agitated, always on the move to keep doing doing doing...just like a hamster ha ha.

Learnt tips on what food to avoid and take to ensure a healthy lifestyle, and natural remedies for common women's physical problems via diet, ayurvedic herbs and simple yoga poses!

Of course, just being at the studio already make us felt very peaceful and made our day!

Thumbs up!!

Small Saucer

2009-08-22T18:20:00.003+08:00

Small Saucer for Ms Liu

i tried making a few of the saucers using the imprints of mulberry leaves and glazed with crackle green. The effect is rather soothing, and found it useful for containing sauces, soap or nuts : )

Couple Mugs

2009-08-22T18:17:00.004+08:00

Mugs as a wedding gift for a couple!

Their individual names were imprinted on the handles, which are able to interlock to symbolize their union.

A New Start

2009-08-13T11:35:00.004+08:00

Love and Wisdom cups for a special doctor.

Life has been a roller coaster ride recently, as my new venture with Eric is finally launched last Friday! We named it Artitude, because its about graphic art works that are original, with attitude, and representative of folks who like them too!: )

It took us close to a year to make it happen.

Wondered how i pulled through the numerous self-doubts, questionings, and of cos, careful 'rationing' of finances? Ha ha.

I must give thanks to many people for making everything possible, most importantly the love and support of my family and you, my dear friends, for taking all my odd decisions in stride.

As i get busy with Artitude now, I'll work hard for Hammy's Work too! Because the next exhibition is coming up next year in 2010. I pray for inspiration to come!

Experiencing Life

2009-07-29T16:09:00.005+08:00

Walking out of the zoo on the last day of bazaar under the evening sun

Sorry for my absence over the last 2 weeks.

Having witnessed my frens' lost of their loved one and their pain, said goodbye to a close fren posted overseas for work and met a long-time-no-see dear pal, added up to an unusually reflective mood with occasional periods of free-flowing tears ha ha.

Life, is really about experiencing it fully in the moment. How easy it is to forget about this ageless wisdom and to take things for granted! And being able to spend time with people dearest to us is really what makes life so precious.

"We do not remember days, we remember moments" Cesare Parese

May you be blessed with many wonderful moments.

In Search of our Life Purposes

2009-07-11T21:14:00.006+08:00

I once heard from a fren that research have shown many people would encounter their mid-life crisis when they are 30 years old (though i had mine at 26). It is interesting that several of my frens have shared with me recently on separate occasions about their somewhat sense of lost of purpose in life. It reminds me of the frustration or feeling of lack that i once felt strongly. Not that i have now found the way to live happily ever after, but from my own personal experience, taking time to pause and stop track in our live-on-automatic was important to get certain things/values, that are important to us, clarified.

Two advice i have heard had left deep impressions on my mind. One was by my college teacher-in-charge Ms Maureen Ng: "If you do what you love, you never have to work a single day of your life". Another was from a self help book that said "There is no point in climbing up the ladder, to realize in the end that you have been on the wrong wall" Indeed...that really sounded like a horrific anti climax to me!

Then i was on a train today re-reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, something really insightful that reminded me to see a deeper meaning to what 'life purpose' means, for i used to see it purely in terms of how i make a living/the work i do.

He said "Your life's journey has an outer purpose and an inner purpose. The outer purpose is to arrive at your goal...to accomplish what you set out to do...your inner purpose, which has nothing to do with where you are going or what you are doing, but everything to do with the how...it has...everything to do with the quality of your consciousness at this moment..." When what we do, we do with love and mindfulness, it becomes "an act of great quality and beauty".

Hence it is "possible to fail completely in your outer purpose and at the same time totally succeed in your inner purpose. Or the other way round, which is actually more common: outer riches and inner poverty, or to 'gain the world and lose your soul' as Jesus puts it".

May we all realize our inner purpose!

Om.

PS: i've loaded a photo but it hasn't appeared! ha ha.

PPS:Keep track of your soul!!!

The Intention Experiment

2009-07-05T15:20:00.002+08:00

Most of us have long heard about the power of positive thinking, affirmations and, for many top athletes and achievers of different fields - visualization is a vital practice for their peak performances. But how many of us really take the above seriously, and ponder how our EVERYDAY lives can be changed if indeed the mind can be so powerful to create the reality that we want?

I chanced upon (but again, i believe it is no coincidence) a book called The Intention Experiment by Lynne McTaggart, which really intrigued me over this weekend and i just could not stop reading until i finished it!

The author's account of the numerous amazing experiments conducted by scientists and quantum physicists over the last few decades has a profound implication that the world we live in is really NOT, and need not be the way we see/deem it to be.

Most importantly, each and everyone of us has a power to literally change or heal the world, by our thoughts or more specifically, our intentions. As the author puts it "resolution of individual internal conflict leads to resolution of global conflict".

Great beings like Jesus, Buddha, Ghandi, other spiritual leaders, and inspiring authors like Deepak Chopra, Caroline Myss, Dr Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle personify a way of living and being that scientists are now beginning to take seriously.

Ghandi said "Be the change you wish to see in the world"
Tolle said "The world can only change from within"
Lao Tzu said "As within, so without"

I would not do the book justice by attempting to summarize its key messages in my blog. Furthermore, i have yet myself practice enough what the book suggests. But if any of the little tots above resonates with your gut feel that there is something deeper about the lives we are living now, i cannot urge you enough to read the book! There are many suggested 'experiments' and at the website above which i can't wait to try out for myself!

Please share with me if you have experienced for yourself how the power of intention has made a difference to your life.

Hammy's Last week @ the Zoo!

2009-06-29T22:01:00.003+08:00

Beautiful rays of sunset

How time flies and 4 weekends at the zoo is over! Its been tiring but FUN : ) I'm glad some of Hammy's Works found their new owners.

Thanks also to Helen, Min, CS, Serene, Wanying, Jessie and Ching Ching for taking the trouble to pop by and unwavering support! Also wish to thank the kind passerbys who gave encouraging words to Hammy.

i'll miss the ice lemon tea, KFC, orangutans, elephants, the 3 mei meis (Jess, Carol and Wei Zhen who does beautiful and intricate wire names) oh... and the unpredictable rain! :P

You were born with potential
You were born with goodness and trust
You were born with ideals and dreams
You were born with greatness
You were born with wings
You are not meant for crawling, so don't
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.
- Rumi

Hammy's Work @ Zoo Week 3

2009-06-23T23:55:00.003+08:00

Hammy's favourite animal: elephant!!!!

A lady from England bought the only turquoise bowl displayed at Hammy's booth. Was curious why she would spot and like it since not many people would have an affinity for it. She said that her father was a potter and he used to make many pots in that colour when she was young. Am glad that the bowl brought back fond memories for her!

Its great fun staying outdoors at the zoo with the animals, yet the relentless sun and humidity can be very draining at the end of the day. With summers in Singapore getting longer and hotter, Hammy hopes that more and more Singaporeans realize that global warming is no longer just a theory in textbooks... it is happening right here. And we all have a role to play to make a difference. Now.

Meeting of Interesting Minds

2009-06-15T21:49:00.004+08:00

Lion little saucer

Pottery isn't something that gets most people really excited about. And most tourists at the zoo would not stop in their tracks to take a look at pots, which, is really understandable, hence it is always uplifting when someone spots Hammy's Work booth and walks over to take a closer look, and say that they like/love the works!

At the beginning of each day of the booth, i would feel this little excitement and ponder: "who would i meet today...?"

And the people who likes my humble works are usually very interesting people and i just wanna say that its been great fun knowing you! I believe it is no coincidence that we met : )

"Create works that express your inner state, that celebrates life" unknown

First Weekend at the Zoo!

2009-06-08T18:52:00.002+08:00

Hammy's 'store' at the Zoo!

It was a crazy week last week preparing for the past weekend! But it had turn out real fun meeting interesting people who liked hammy's works!! There were fellow artists from Philippines, New Zealand, and a cute little boy who is an aspiring artist so full of passion in his eyes.... Thank you all for supporting my works : )

Am really grateful to Wanru for the opportunity, Eric for all his help, Desmond Yee for 'donating' his company's recycled paper that i could reuse to make into little paper bags ha ha! My family, CS for the water and AW buddy Nicky for popping by and all sweet messages from friends for your kind tots and support!

Am looking forward for more this weekend, be it under the strongest sun rays or heavy thunderstorm :P

"Invent a way to earn an income doing what u do best, while serving others and becoming authentic" - Nick Williams.

Preparing for Australian Outback Flea Market

2009-05-31T20:22:00.004+08:00

Have been soooooooo busy preparing for Hammy's first ever flea market experience coming up right next weekend at the zoo! There will be little japanese cups, cute bowls, animal magnets,...how nervous i am before they are taken out of the kiln! oooh and handmade cards with photograhs taken by Hammy in Australia! Am being a little secretive here, not much photos as yet. Do visit my little booth to check out more! If i do not already know you...Please let me know that you visit this little blog if i see you at the zoo!

I really hope i do not disappoint, i dunno what the responses to the works will be!

:P

Scaling Walls at Singapore Book Fair

2009-05-31T20:12:00.004+08:00

Siew May and her books!

Hello everyone! Scaling Walls is currently available at the Singapore Book Fair, Suntec City at $10 each only!!

Suntec City Covention Center Hall 402-404
29 May - 7 June
11am - 10pm

If you have read the book and want to get more for friends, this is a great opportunity. Sold at the fair is the 2nd edition after the first 5000 copies having been sold out. An amazing feat for Siew May. If you have not read it, hurry and be inspired!

'All that is not given is lost'
Indian Proverb

Hammy's Work at the Singapore Zoo!

2009-05-24T11:34:00.002+08:00

Hello everyone, just like to announce that this coming June hols, the Singapore Zoo shall be having an Australian Outback celebration and Hammy's Work will be there at their Australian Weekend Bazaar!

Am getting really excited now, there will be many limited edition works: hand pinched and painted bowls, magnets, bookmarks, handmade cards with photographs taken by Hammy in Australia...oh and so much more! Most of these works are available EXCLUSIVELY for this event. So if you are popping by the zoo, do look out for Hammy!

Venue: Ah Meng Restaurant @ Singapore Zoo

Date: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 Jun 2009 (Every Sat & Sun)

Time: 9:30am – 5:30pm

Seee yaaaaaaa

A Dash of Green

2009-05-17T13:21:00.003+08:00

Am quite happy with the way the colours and texture turn out for this vase. It can be used as a decorative art, a functional vase or even a container for tea leaves (if added with a cork on top).

I can't wait to share more about an upcoming bazaar in June! Once details are finalized, will keep you guys informed!

"Dedicate your work to someone (someone u love, an elderly or a stranger who needs love). Make it an offering. And it will transform the most mundane task to something of utmost importance"

Paradox of life

2009-05-10T23:03:00.004+08:00

My sis' and my carebears sitting on our window pane

It's been quite a melancholic week, even though i consciously keep reminding myself to keep my thoughts positive. I'm glad the carebears always bring a smile to me when i see them. i am also glad to be able to hear the sharings and life experiences of my frens the past few days, for they have reminded me to take stock of mine too.

i guess its good to get moody once in a while... at least it spurred some creative ideas for Hammy's Works! ha ha.

Just like to share a beautiful quote by William Blake:

He who binds himself to a joy,
Does the winged life destroy
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sunrise...

Lets be grateful for all the happy moments that have happened. Must remember not to hang on to them though...else we'll make ourselves unhappy instead. Ha ha the paradox of life!

Spirit of Creation in Bangkok

2009-05-02T22:20:00.006+08:00

Sorry for not blogging the past week!

I had a special Bangkok trip recently with great company. Other than having the privilege to try saab saab ('delicious' in thai) seafood at the roadside, which according to my thai fren Prasarn that even many local thais do not know of, we also went to headhunt for the creative souls at JJ Chatuchak weekend market and Suan Lum night market!

It was no coincidence that we chanced upon a book called Design in Bangkok at the Kinokuniya in Siam Paragon, which became an indispensable guide for the rest of our trip!

The first designer, Lek, featured in the book was found at Suan Lum:

Once a well known figure in the advertising industry, he left his career to pursue his dreams and set up The 8Thailand brand of merchandise for working executives. I was quite excited when i saw that the person standing in the shop looked exactly like the one featured in the book! So i flipped open the book and pointed to him and said "You?"

He just nodded.We asked him to sign on the book, to which he initially refused shyly, but in the end wrote: "Thanks"

Oooo was so happy.

Then at Suan Lum (Section lopburi soi 7 room DG 1222), we also met a humble painter Mr Karnsorn who recycles old furniture for his art works. I bought a little lotus 'painting' that he painted on - guess what - old wooden window frame! Even though he is selling at the night bazaar, he still insist on his philosophy of never creating a work twice. So every piece you buy, is the only one in the world. He wished us good luck when we left his 'gallery' and we wished him the same too. I truly hope that he will become a great artist well received by many in time to come.

Now to Chatuchak. My past impression of it is its a overwhelming mess of shops and people. But then this time, using the book we bought, we looked out for and met some really inspiring designers and artists. The mini art galleries at the most right section of Chatuchak house some interesting works of young aspiring artists.

There was also a female designer Nusara whose simple apparels under CocoClub that i really like.

There are also a few potters, one of whom is pretty successful in making functional and attractive works under the Nice Little Clay brand with his galfren:

i asked him to help sign on my book and he kindly drew a little cat! I did not buy much (left with not much money by then) so picked only a little bowl of 145 bhat. But the kind potter said "for you, only 120bhat" : ) ha ha was very touched...

Its really exhilarating to find so many young souls who are making their dreams come true... and i was really inspired. They let me see a different side of Bangkok.

I hope the next time you are there, you can keep a look out for them and support them too!

Bodhi Incense Burner

2009-04-19T14:26:00.005+08:00

I am excited to announce that Hammy's Work now includes a new BODHI series of incense burners. You can choose the type of little animals on the leaf: snails, birds or beetles). It will take about 3 weeks for the handmade and firing process of new pieces.

S$10 each
Average dimension: 11(l)x6(w)x4(h) cm
One of the animals will have a little hole for u to poke an incense stick! Or u can just put an incense cone in the middle.

Only a few pieces are available at the moment, so if you like to order one, please email me hammyswork@gmail.com

Rubber stamping and happiness

2009-04-12T18:10:00.004+08:00

Turtle imprint and handmade hammy rubber stamp

There is something that perplexes me this weekend. I think i have fallen in love with making rubber stamps.

But i dunno why.

(Not that i have forgotten about pottery, of course.)

Why would something time-consuming to make, yields little 'economic rewards', quite neck-and-eye-straining and humble-looking make me so happy making it?

Maybe there is no reason why. I like making them just because so. End of story.

It reminds me of this script of the once tear-jerking korean drama 'Autumn in my Heart' - where the female lead says "If you cannot give a reason why you like someone, then that is true love". It took me a long time to slowly understand the grain of truth in this...

Anyway, if there is something that you experience joy doing/or someone whom you love, unconditionally, that is a blessing indeed.

May you experience joy at whatever you do in the week ahead!

God does not command that we do great things, only little things with great love. ~ Mother Teresa.

An extraordinary little Uncle

2009-04-05T13:06:00.005+08:00

i saw an extraordinary senior uncle on the train yesterday. He was in a cabin next to where i was standing with my fren. At least about 80 years old and small in build, he carried a few books in his hands. When he saw a lady (about 60 years old)entering the train, he quickly stood up and gave up his seat for HER.

Soon, someone else alighted. He walked over to place his books on the seat, trotted over to my cabin and spoke in tamil to another elderly indian lady behind us. He took her hands lovingly, and guided her to the seat that he had 'reserved' with his books! When someone else then offered his seat to this uncle, he finally sat down to read his books as if nothing had happened.

I was just blown away and deeply touched by this ripple of kind actions. Who says elderly are helpless? He had done what most of us dun bother or dared to do!

Am so curious about this little uncle...his life story....or maybe he is an angel in human form? Was still thinking about him before i slept. I'm sure you have met other such angels in your life experiences too... who are they, how have they touched you? what can we learn from them?

May they all be blessed.

And may our egoistic masks be shed before their light.

Do your best & then let go

2009-03-28T22:22:00.005+08:00

For appreciation of tea leaves and easy pouring into the teapot.

i have not mentioned before in my blog that other than dabbling with ceramics, i am also currently helping my fren with a new business start up in graphic art. Am keeping it a little low profile at the moment, as we really hope to give it time to be nurtured and to grow, until it is ready for public scrutiny!

Frankly its been months of hard work and real fun. This week has been very fast paced, preparing for and almost missed the deadline for an application of a particular government grant. I did what i could, asked for help and i would say i was not really centered during the process. Then as i talked things through with my fren, and getting prepared for the worst that could happen, we agreed that since we have already done our best it is time to let go and relax. Whatever will be, will be.

Being a controlling and task oriented person, i find that this is one of the hardest lesson i have to learn in life. Just like doing pottery - we can never 100% guarantee how a work will turn out in the end.

It is natural to feel frustrated when things do not unfold the way we want them to be. But I know i have to learn to trust that whatever happens, happens for a reason.

Be it through tears or through laughing at oneself.

Artist Way Week 12

2009-03-22T16:01:00.003+08:00

A bottle for tea... or for slips of paper of little prayers and wishes

So! Hammy has come to end of the 12 week journey guided by Julia Cameron's book : )

The greatest "rewards" in this journey include realizing that Hammy isn't that 'weird' after all ha ha, after reading about other people's struggles that we all on this path will be challenged with 'well meaning' wet blankets, who, are great teachers for our determination.

Oh and also, the importance of nurturing our own inner child. Hammy always feels that its psychological age is like in the 50s - old squirrel. Got too serious along the way in life and it has difficulty tracking when was it that it started losing its sense of humour. Have lightened up (emotionally) quite a bit ever since it left its full time job in August last year. But, Hammy has gained some weight (physically) as a result too... so, its picking up yoga again! With Ju Lee as yoga teacher! : )

Hammy felt quite deflated last week and very uninspired when potting... But fortunately, somehow it got recharged and is now quite sheepish and excited that it got some inspiration after reading a japanese cook book last night (it was paying more attention to the ceramic wares than the recipes!).

Last of all, a little prayer to share with you. May you have a blessed week ahead!

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

(May everyone everywhere be happy. May the whole world be joyous)

Artist Way Week 11

2009-03-15T19:59:00.004+08:00

Series of tea cups made for Indigo Flow Yoga Space

I'm nearing the end of the Artist's Way! At week 11 now, and this week is about Recovering a Sense of Autonomy, about how we can continue to nurture our passion.

Sometimes i do feel a dilemma when someone orders a pot from me. I always feel happy to make pots when they are meant to be given as gifts to frens. But when it comes to selling, i can take pretty long to decide its value, for its actual value to me might not be the same to the perceived value by others, especially if they are non-potters. I can understand that a small cup that cost more than $10 would seem very expensive to most people, especially if they compare it with (factory made)one they can get at Daiso for $2 ha ha. However the amount of time hand throwing, trimming and glazing the work, and the costs to firing them, that $10-20 would actually be very reasonable to me...or even not worth selling actually!

So, i hope i get some clue as to how i can find a balance. I guess many artists would have this dilemma?

Anyway, let's have a conscious and fulfilling week ahead. Remember to look out for your daily dose of joy : ) Om.

The pollution of the planet is only an outward reflection of an inner psychic pollution: millions of unconscious individuals not taking responsibility for their inner space ~ Eckhart Tolle

Artist Way Week 10

2009-03-08T15:10:00.003+08:00

A small piece of clay, a small wish for the world

This week, the journey takes us to recover a Sense of Self-Protection, for on this path, we will meet many setbacks, blocks and self-sabotaging traps like what i just did last week - giving excuses to not write my daily pages. So we need to be vigilant, and be more conscious about ourselves.

Many great artists have said that rather than being creators of their works, they are simply channels that the universe's creative force work through.

But our egos don't like this. The Ego likes to step in to be in control, and to take the credit for the work that "I" produce. Ego is what creates jealousy, fear and competition amongst artists...it is what makes us feel inferior and crave for fame.

The Ego is smart. But it is not where the wisdom for living and for producing great art lies.

Did my ego just typed the above?

Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment ~ Rumi

Artist Way Week 9

2009-03-01T12:48:00.004+08:00

My first self portrait with acrylic paint

We are suppose to recover a sense of compassion for ourselves this week, by accepting that being blocked does not mean we are lazy, and that we have failed before does not we cannot have new accomplishments.

I have had a rather overwhelming week for other work commitments and classes, instead of pottery, and my body could sense this by retaliating with a fever on sat morning.

And i am really tempted to stop my daily pages. I am spending less time on it (cos i feel i dun have the time), yet i can see the effect of writing less - i become less conscious of my thoughts and behaviour and maybe that is why i got out of sync with my body. I am declaring this here to everyone, so as to prevent myself from really stopping. ha ha.

But am glad i tried my hand at painting last sunday after my previous post on week 8.

Hope you take care of your health too my frens. And lets continue to remember to count our blessings!

Be really whole and all things will come to you. Lao Tzu

Scaling Walls Book Launch at Jurong National Library 28th Feb 12-2pm

2009-02-27T10:38:00.003+08:00

Calling all fans inspired by Siew May and readers intrigued by today's Straits Times Prime News article on A12-13, do pop by for the official book launch of Siew May's Scaling Walls - My Story, tomorrow!

Date: 28 February 2009
Venue: Regional Library Jurong East Central 1
Time: 12pm-2pm

The book is also currently on sale at Sakae Sushi Outlets in Wheelock Place, UOB Centre and Bishan Junction 8.

Artist's Way Week 8

2009-02-22T17:00:00.002+08:00

Lonely...rustic corner of my workplace.

Week 8: Recovering a Sense of Strength.

I am beginning to like affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that we affirm to ourselves consciously, to override the negative beliefs we have of ourselves in our subconsciousness and change our way of looking at and relating to the world in the long run.

How often do we tell ourselves "No one will love me", "i am not talented enough", "I'm just dreaming!" etc etc? How often do we cringe with uneasiness when we hear someone offer a compliment to us? We even doubt if they were sincere! We are so used to being critical of ourselves (and hence to others), that we have forgotten to give ourselves much needed encouragement and acknowledgment in our daily lives.

Julia Cameron gave a list of affirmations for this week, of which i was suppose to choose 5 that i like most. And my list are:

i now share my creativity more openly
i now allow myself to heal
i am a talented person
i have a right to be an artist
i now accept hope

Just as i am typing this i can hear my little judgmental voice saying "You are so thick skinned, don't piss people off with your list!"

Ha ha ha.

Come up with your own too. Have affirmations are close to your heart, and speak of your deepest desires. Say one to yourself into the mirror every morning and at night when you brush your teeth. Make sure you use "I am ...." - not "i will be happy', nor "i hope to be happy" but "I am happy"

You don't have to declare them like i do *blush* . But please share them with me if you do not mind, i would love to hear about them!

Artist's Way Week 7

2009-02-15T21:51:00.003+08:00

Pots Hammy threw this Wednesday night

A confession: I have been slagging behind a little this week for the topic on Recovering a Sense of Connection. And I skipped writing my daily pages for 3 days!

What i did manage to find interesting, was Julia Cameron's view on perfectionism. It did not occur to me before that perfectionism causes us to be stuck. But I think she is right. For we will then never dare to try doing something unless we can be sure we will do it well.

But frankly, sometimes i get so ashamed looking at some of my works, i could not bear to see and keep them! Ha ha, so now hope i'll be more open to making mistakes.

If someone were to ask me today, what made me gave up my job to make the leap to do pottery... how could i be sure that it was THE THING for me? To tell the truth, my answer would be - 'I don't know'. I wasn't sure at all. All i knew was i could only find out if i tried.

As artists we must all not fear making mistakes, for there are none... isn't that so for life as well? Whatever silly, regretful or seemingly unforgivable things or detours we have done, they were all a necessary part of our growth.

I'm still on the journey to find out.

A brief Intoduction to Wheel Throwing Part 1

2009-02-12T21:47:00.006+08:00

The translucent box is home for my tools. I had actually lost my original tool box about 2 years back. Left it on the bus on my way to work (silly me!), together with my apron and my favourite denim shorts. They were never found...

Before throwing, the clay must be wedged thoroughly to remove any trapped air bubbles and to ensure consistency of the clay for ease in throwing. This amount of clay is considered small.

A freshly thrown bowl! The top left plastic bowl holds excess wet clay, whilst the right one contains water to lubricate the clay for smooth throwing. Will talk about the interim steps in more detail in the blogs to come!

Artist's Way Week 6

2009-02-08T21:33:00.002+08:00

A treasure chest of hand made teacups in a little shop in Kyoto, Japan

Recovering a Sense of Abundance.

Indeed, one of the greatest fear in pursuing art is the lack of money to do so. Its that nagging voice that haunts me the greatest whenever my inspiration runs low! However, i guess i have to continue to pursue potting irregardless, for when would i know if i would have enough money? And by the time i had enough money to do it...i'd probably give the excuse that i'm too old for it already :P

This week Julia Cameron seeks to encourage us to have new eyes and expand our capacity for joy and to relish the little luxury in our lives.

Hmm...for myself, my little luxuries means -
- Having time to pot 8hrs a week.
- To drink and appreciate a cup of good tea bought for me by a dear pal.
- It means chill out at the beach with frens.
- It means being intrigued by a wonderfully illustrated borrowed book called Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock.
- It means having the time to have a heart to heart chat with a longtime fren at a cafe.
- To have a (FREE) reunion lunch with 10 over pals from Junior College.
- It means having a simple but nutritious dinner with my family...

Looking back, what an abundant week!

I've not shared this with many people before, but i feel compelled to share it in this post. I started keeping a gratefulness journal about 3 years back - at that time it was a desperate attempt to heal myself.

Come every Sunday, i will list down all the trivial to big things that i am grateful for that had happened in the week. My list never seems to fall short of things to write since, because the more i write, the more i notice the blessed part of my lives that i would have taken for granted previously.

Try making your own lists : )For abundance is not measured by how much we possess, but how deeply we appreciate each moment.

May you have a blessed week ahead!

Artist Way Week 5

2009-02-01T16:59:00.002+08:00

Outside the house of Australian Potter Greg Daley

Week 5, the week to recover a sense of possibility. I was deeply touched by the way Julia Cameron expressed how blessed we all actually are but are not aware of, that "we are in the spiritual position of having an unlimited bank account".

Please, close you eyes and let that statement sink into your being for a while... ponder about its implications.

If all of us, you and i, can all come from a context of being of abundance, courage and trust, what wonderful works could we all create, what meaningful things we can do for others!

If we stop to think about it, most of us lead our lives bounded by limitations that are often self-imposed or drilled into us by others since we were young. Especially staying in a highly competitive society like Singapore, THE measure for success are often limited to your job title, your pay, the type of your car and house, the brand of your handbag, how sophisticated you look...to the status of your spouse. And we have been led to believe by the collective consciousness that there is not enough to go around, we get so stressed up just living day to day.

But if you have a gut feel deep down that perhaps these are not the way things should be for you, then maybe it is time to jump down from the hamster wheel/that C-ladder and venture out to create a life of possibility? : )

Warning my friends: the path though will not be easy. You will most likely be met with bewildered looks, not so nice comments or even arguments (i hope not) from your family, spouse-to-be, high-flyer pals, the concerned aunties and uncles... and even from your shadow self in the middle of the night.

Sometimes you will even feel like a fool, do silly things or catch yourself smiling at the simplest things.

But if your yearning to make your heart fulfilled is greater than your fear for all of the above... lets embark on the adventure together : )

There is the risk you cannot afford to take; (and) there is the risk you cannot afford not to take. ~Peter Ducker

Simple Joyful Habits

2009-01-27T21:16:00.005+08:00

Simple art, simple joy. Photo taken at house of Australian potter Janet Mansfield.

As i read the papers, watch the news or talk to cab drivers, it seems that fear and negativity is dominant in many people's perception of the world around us more strongly than ever, with the current global economic recession.

When i stop to trace my thoughts, i sometimes am horrified by what i observe telling myself everyday (all the fears, judgements about myself and others, my egoic obsessions...)

Thoughts are powerful forms of energy. Whilst we need to be aware of what is happening in the world to make a difference and help whenever we can, we need to also be aware of our inner conversations with ourselves. For if we take, often unconsciously, our (negative) beliefs to be true (eg: there is no point in doing good, life is unfair etc), we are just going to prove ourselves right.

One of my 2009 resolution is to have my daily doses of:
1) Gratefulness prayer before i sleep
2) A song in my heart when i wake up
3) Heartful laughter as often as i can :B :B

Hope that i do them so often, they become my habits for years to come! You can try them too! : )

May all beings be well and happy : )

Artist's Way Week 4

2009-01-25T15:39:00.002+08:00

My teachers' studio

Week 4 is about Recovering a Sense of Identity. In an attempt to go inwards and discover a new self awareness, one of the activities is to deprive myself from reading! This is one of the hardest thing for me to do. I'm quite a book nerd and it certainly did not sound like a good idea.

According to Julia Cameron, to many artists/book lovers, books are like tranquilizers...distractions, a means of escapism that stops us from being present with the sensory world. We read about other artists, about their words, rather than become aware of our own thoughts, feelings and creativity.

Deep down, i know what she means...it echoed a dear friend who asked me why i simply can't read less.

So, i have not read much this whole week, instead i spent my free time spring cleaning my house for the Chinese New Year.

And withdrawal symptoms include crabbiness and a short temper. Am sorry to those who have been around me!

I guess its all about balance...i still believe (good) books are very important, in fact, they have shaped my life and my personality to a very large extent (for better or worse)... but reading must be balanced with introspection, so that we can integrate what we've learnt into our way of being. And of course, i must also not forget to spend time on other things - especially with loved ones.

In the upcoming Chinese New Year, I hope you will enjoy the wonderful goodies and precious time with your loved ones. Xin Nian Kuai Le!!!

All the arts we practice are apprenticeship. The big art is our life. ~ M.C. Richards

Transform Jealousy into Power

2009-01-19T20:29:00.002+08:00

A bodhi leaf that i picked up on my way to class

Even though most of us are not frequent green-eye monsters, i believe there are times when we see the accomplishments/works of others and have feelings that range from a subtle tinge of envious thoughts like "If only i could create these!" to full blown jealousy with inner conversations like "Well I could do it too if only...i had rich parents/i had the connections/i had the luck/ i had more time/i am younger"and the list goes on. I myself had just experienced it today when browsing through the site of one artist whom i deeply admire!

But to put it bluntly, such feelings and thoughts are simply a form of self fulfilling prophecy (to justify that we are not good enough) or as excuses in order not to do the work! i sheepishly know that i have no reason to complain :B

Julia Cameron pointed out that envy/jealousy are clues that our creativity are blocked, and if we are aware, we can actively take action to unblock ourselves.

Someone once said "There is always room up there for everyone". I find this a good reminder for myself whenever i catch myself getting envious over other people's talents. We can all shine and be creative, at the expense of no one.

Lets all work hard together, and may you shine brightly in your lives too!

Artist's Way Week 3 - Synchronicity

2009-01-18T22:20:00.005+08:00

Pots made from clay that had been recycled from a toxic dumping site in Takamatsu, Japan.

Week 3's theme is on Recovering a sense of power - on how we can make anger our friend and also to keep an eye on the synchronicity happening in our lives. "Synchronicity", first coined by Carl Jung, is simply the idea that when we set an intention on something, the universe respond accordingly and intelligently in our interests. We often call that 'luck', or coincidence, when it happens.

When i read this, it reminded me of what happened to me just recently. I was heading for a book warehouse sale and i had a passing thought that i hope to find 2 great books The Celestine Prophecy and The Diamond Cutter over there.

Instead, I found some great design and art books at only $5-$10. Just when i decided to call it a day, already feeling blessed, i suddenly saw The Celestine Prophecy FACING ME, just lying on top of one of the piles of books! With eyeballs popping out, jaws agap and not caring much about my image, i dashed right through the crowd to pick it up. And guess what, right beneath this book, lies The Diamond Cutter! And both books were only $5 (as compared to their usual $20+)!!! It was really voovoo.

Now seriously, what could have been the odds of that happening when there were thousands of book there!?

After i had calmed down from the excitement, I could only say my thanks silently again in my heart.

I have to also mention that this week's journey also deals with the shame that we often feel when we wish to pursue doing what we like. Indeed sometimes I feel upset and guilty when frens say i'm a lucky person who can "afford" to pursue my interests. I am grateful for being able to tread on a path less traveled, but i believe i had gain strength not from luck, but rather from trust - which is something that had grown in me over time. A trust that as long as my intention is right, synchronicity will happen.

I believe synchronicity happens to anyone and everyone, if we start to trust our intuition and to see life from another perspective. Everything in the universe is made up of pure energy. So are our thoughts. And our thought energy can be very powerful. If we choose to see the world as cruel, evil etc, it will only mirror our thoughts. If we choose to see the miracles and wonders in the world, something as simple as the beauty of a drifting cloud, our world will be transformed.

That is why Gandhi tells us to BE the change that we wish to see in the world.

May your week ahead be blessed!

Artist's Way Week 2

2009-01-11T21:10:00.003+08:00

Gift for Hui Hui's House-warming

The theme for Week 2 is on Recovering a Sense of Identity. As artist-wannabes, i guess we all experience identity crisis at some point in time of our lives... or even throughout our lives... Ha ha.

As i am writing my daily pages this week, i keep doubting if i'm doing it right because the things i write seem so trivial and such a waste of time. And as if the author could read my mind, there she wrote "...common self-attacks are 'Okay i got the morning pages done. I probably did them wrong...Who am i kidding?'" Yikes.

I guess her purpose of getting us to write is to get us to start paying attention to our daily lives - no matter how trivial our experiences may seem to us.

To pay attention to the sunlight peeking through the window illuminating my study desk, to pay attention to how i eat, to my shadow thoughts... to my awareness that i am breathing and alive.

There is also one exercise that i enjoyed: to list down 10 imaginary lives that i would choose to lead if i could, and to try doing bits & pieces of these lives in the one i am living now. My list came up to be:

- Dancer
- Painter
- Fire-fighter
- Organic Farmer
- Biologist
- Cook
- Designer
- Yoga trainer
- Photographer
- Conservationist

What about yours my friends. Maybe you can think about your own 10 too. Perhaps it would lead to some pleasant surprises and discovery about yourselves : )

Announcement: Adopt Rabbit!

2009-01-04T22:53:00.003+08:00

Dear friends, should any of you stays locally, loves animals, especially rabbits and am willing to commit to taking care of them, please let me or my friend Agnes know.

Agnes found an abandoned rabbit couple a few months back on the roadside. The family has since grown to a size of 8 members, with 6 cute little babies erm, in different shades of colour!

Check out her blog here. Agnes is currently taking care of all of them very well on behalf of the Rabbit Association of Singapore (if i got it right), but i feel it is rather taxing on her whilst having to manage them concurrently with her full time job. She is on a look out for fellow animal lovers who can take care of at least a pair. If you are able to adopt them, please help.

Artist Way Week 1

2009-01-04T22:24:00.003+08:00

Okie, here is the update on the first week of my journey!

Week 1 focuses on 'Recovering a Sense of Safety' - which is supposedly a vital step for anyone pursuing their creativity because we often lack the much needed encouragement from our loved ones, friends and from OURSELVES. So we often end up in a rather fragile state feeling very insecure and undeserving whilst pursuing what make us feel excited about life! Even if everyone around us manage to kindly keep their skepticism within themselves, we end up being tripped by our own self-limiting beliefs like: "I am not good enough", "Its irresponsible and I'll go hungry pursuing my dreams", "Its too late!", "Nobody will support me", "My friends will look down on me" or "Who on earth will like my work?" just to name a few...

So, i am suppose to write down other than my daily pages, my affirmations for the day for example "I am a creative potter". Some of the affirmations that pop up of my head really make me blush and queasy writing them on paper but fortunately, no one reads them except myself!

Frankly, i have yet to experience the dramatic emotions that i had been expecting from the introduction of the book. Maybe i am not committing myself deep enough in the journey. Well, time will tell.

Hope you have a great week ahead!

Significance of 2008

2009-01-01T11:46:00.003+08:00

Hammy's ceramics Teacher Mr Chua Soo Kim after packing up at Cone 6 2008 exhibition

Happy 2009 to everyone!

As Hammy starts preparing for the new year's resolutions, am also thinking i should look back on 2008 and note down all the moments - little or great, happy or tearful, and give thanks for them...

Other than the many world happenings that have occurred, at a more personal level I noticed that 2008 had been a year of big changes for many of my friends like career changes from the 'stable' 9-5 to seeking greater fulfillment via other means, committing to a life partner or choosing instead to becoming single and the ever inspiring anecdotes of transformation in their views about life and their life purposes. I believe these happen for a reason and do not happen accidentally. Please share with me if you noticed these too?

Last but not least, may your new year be blessed with much happiness, peace, wonderful friendships, abundance and life changing awakenings! : )

The Artist's Way - hammy's path

2008-12-28T16:23:00.003+08:00

Hammy shall be embarking on a 12 week journey guided by Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, one of the classic books that has been written for anyone who is interested to nurture the little artist living within each of us.

The first step is to write everyday, 3 pages of morning pages, on whatever that comes to my mind, or in her words 'stream-of-consciousness' writing.

As someone who has problem getting up early in the morning, this would be the first challenge for me! But i believe it will do me good - to throw all the chatterings in my head into my journal, so as to start everyday with clearer intentions and clarity. Then, i am suppose to have an "artist date" with myself every week to any place that gets my right brain excited (a gallery, a park, craft store) for about 2hrs - and strictly, alone. And yes this i have already done for week 1 today, went searching high and low for nice little pouch bags to contain the ceramic namecard holders.

I'll update my progress on this journey... but am currently feeling excited, skeptical and anxious all rolled into one. For the author has warned that '...working with this process, i see a certain amount of defiance and giddiness in the first few weeks. This entry stage is followed closely by explosive anger in the course's midsection... followed by grief, then alternating waves of resistance and hope.' WOoooh.

Scaling Walls now available at Sakae Sushi

2008-12-24T17:01:00.002+08:00

To all friends who would like to have more copies of Siew May's well received autobiography 'Scaling Walls - My Story', they will be available from 24 Dec 2008 at the following Sakae Sushi outlets:

1) Wheelock Place - #02-13
2) Harbourfront Centre - 1 Maritime Square #02-85/85A
3) OUB Centre - Raffles Place #B1-07/08
4) West Mall - Bukit Batok Central Link #03-02.
5) Junction 8 - #B1-19/20.
6) Compass Point (near Seng Kang MRT) #04-06.
7) The Atrium@ Orchard: (near Dhoby Ghaut MRT) #01-15.
8) Tiong Bahru Plaza #02-K1-K6
9) Changi Airport Terminal 2 Viewing Mall #036-085.

Give an inspiring gift for the new year to your loved ones. Your support will make a direct positive difference to Siew May's life : )

Scaling Walls by Oh Siew May

2008-12-21T15:44:00.004+08:00

I am writing this to call for support for a fren of mine, Siew May. A strong and giving gal who was born with cerebral palsy, she has done many things that many of us have not even done - climb Mt Kinabalu and to write her own autobiography, despite the many life challenges and setbacks that she has faced since she was born. I feel really privileged to be able to contribute to the illustrations for her very inspiring life story and her book will be sold at S$10 at Sakae Sushi restaurants very soon. A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to Spastic Children's Association of Singapore.

If you are curious to read about her life story and/or place order for a few books, do email me at hammyswork@gmail.com by 31 Dec 2009 and i will collate the orders for her and pass them to you (if you stay in Singapore). Your support will make a huge difference for Siew May. Thank you in advance and may your 2009 be spectacular! Merry Christmas!

"If you have passion, nothing will stop you. 'IMPOSSIBLE or I M POSSIBLE' is the same word...its how you look at it. Oh Siew May looked at her life and said 'I M POSSIBLE.' She made a difference through her book. I believe she will now inspire you to look at how the impossible can become possible. Be the change maker for you can be like her. Be the change maker and make the difference!" ~ Quote for the book by Ms Elim Chew, Streetwear Fashion & Accessories Guru, 77th Street.

Thank you

2008-12-13T22:19:00.003+08:00

Autumn Leaf in First Snow vase

The making of pottery is often a journey of many unexpected surprises and lessons.

I was so looking forward to collecting my latest works from the studio today... and to my dismay and horror a few pieces did not turn out the way i had wanted them to be and a mug ordered by my friend Agnes developed a crack during glaze firing! Was rather upset initially, for that means i would not be able to have the mug ready before xmas as promised :( Am grateful for her understanding, i'll remake the mug from scratch again, but now more confident that they will turn out much better in the end!

PS: Would like to thank everyone who has supported Hammy's Works in one way or another and yes, even by spending time to visit this blog! Just like to update that a Christmas blackforest log cake and a few xmas decorations will be brought to the little Cherry Nursing Home's elderly and nurses for an early Yuletide celebration tomorrow morning - all thanks to your support! Am so glad : )

2008-12-07T17:08:00.004+08:00

Lonely phonebooth, Yarra Valley, Australia

I must apologize for being away for so long. Have just started taking night and weekend diploma classes on Creative Entrepreneurship and it has also been an intensive yet fulfilling 2 weeks at "work", creating illustration for the book of an incredible real story of a courageous lady who will inspire many, many people. I'll share more about it when its published and launched very soon!

Hammy loves the photo above, was walking alone at Crystal Brook Holiday Centre and was glad to have captured the setting sun shining its last rays on the lonely nostalgic phone booth.

"Keep searching for beauty and discovering the abundance that is within ourselves and our environment" ~ Anonymous

2008-11-29T22:39:00.005+08:00

Its nearing Xmas and i am now dedicating more time to make pottery gifts ordered by friends, to be given to their loved ones in time. It is pretty fulfilling to know that Hammy's handmade craft would be used to convey the warmth, love and friendship that may be difficult to express through words : )

The language of the lips is easily taught, but who can teach the language of the heart? ~ Ghandi ~

The Miracle of Life

2008-11-16T11:23:00.005+08:00

Photo taken by Hammy in Australia

On one same day this week i met two dear friends, sharing our thoughts about life. From what makes a company successful... to another friend's sharing of a real life story about believing in the miracle of life and friendship, when faced with life's toughest situations.

As Oriah Mountain Dreamer beautifully reminds us to live our lives to the fullest in The Invitation :

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love, for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story
you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

Trust in Yourself

2008-11-09T21:35:00.005+08:00

Blue Brittle Star Bowl

An amiable lady asked me at the exhibition if making pots will roughen our hands. My experience is sometimes it hurts and the hands do get red during centering of clay(especially handling the rough clays), but start with soft clays for beginners, and abrasion would not be a problem then.

She also said she had always wanted to pick up potting but fears that she does not have a talent. I think many people may share this doubt.

I believe we all have an artist living inside us...if there is anything that you really want to try, trust in yourself and do it. Mental blocks are part of the journey. But inspiration will come again somehow : )

And be surprised when you finally overcome your self perceived limitations : )

Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do.
Where there is love and inspiration, i don't think you can go
wrong. ~ Ella Fitzgerald

Ceramix 2008 at National Library

2008-11-09T11:12:00.003+08:00

Preparation!

Flowers from Helen and Naron!

Hammy's Exhibition Space

Finally, its launched! Have fallen ill since yesterday... but I am still deeply cheered and grateful for all frens who took time from their busy schedule to pop by the exhibition. Also like to thank Desmond Yee from Kum Printing for his help in rushing out Hammy's namecards and also giving the brown papers for reusing!

2 more days to ceramix 2008!

2008-11-05T22:59:00.005+08:00

It was nealy 1 year ago that i met Robert Knighton, our australian ceramic guide. Am still using his handmade mug gift for breakfast every morning : )

And now...the event i have been waiting for 2 years is finally getting near. My physical tiredness is washed away by the messages of encouragement from frens over the past few days : ) Thank you frens, you know who you are.

Working with Joy

2008-11-02T15:19:00.003+08:00

My friend asked me how i feel about the exhibition to be launched coming Fri... a valid question, since i quitted from a full time job to dedicate more time to brush up my skills in pottery whilst working on a part time basis. A decision that was deemed understandably by many, as reckless and irresponsible. One friend was so perplexed that he actually suspected i inherited a fortune from some long distance relative!

To tell the truth, i have to make certain changes to my lifestyle, for example, buying less books (which can be remedied by visiting the library), forgoing my beer sessions with friends (which makes every opportunity to drink it now even sweeter) and window-shop less, which is effective. And of cos setting up of a monthly budget, an act that would surprise one dear fren of mine :P

It dawned on me yesterday whilst brushing my teeth that although i am earning about half of my old payroll, i am enjoying myself as i earn every single cent of my current pay, helping out with my friend's business. I really felt lucky. Nonetheless, i will work on what's next after the exhibition and make a more decent living with the new plans coming up.

To answer my first friend's question - i think i am just glad that what i have been working towards is nearing and coming to fruition, and am indeed looking forward to catching up with friends attending the launch. So see you guys and gals!

"... how important it is just to be on your way. And don't forget that everyone
can surprise themselves... And do something unique and special in their lives..."

Behind the Scenes

2008-10-30T10:15:00.002+08:00

Everyone met early on Mon morning for the final lag of preparation for the exhibition - painting our individual wooden stands with white emulsion.

One of the potters Eric Kong, graphic design consultant from Design Vizio, is helping us with the design of exhibition catalogues and all other collaterals on goodwill basis, despite his tight work schedule.

My role is helping the team to liaise with the printers to ensure that all production would be done as smoothly as possible. We have both e-invitation cards and conventional ones, the latter is in the form of a postcard, so no envelops are required (save the environment!)

Am looking forward to see all dear frens who would be taking time to pop by the exhibition : )

2008-10-27T16:29:00.002+08:00

A cute Elephant and Little Birdie cup given to Qing Qing : )

Collecting Unwanted Bubble Wrap

2008-10-26T11:43:00.005+08:00

To all my frens and supporters, should you have unwanted fabric, ribbons, cardboard boxes, wrapping sheets, bubble wrappers that are still in ok/good condition... please pass them to me?

Often these are thrown away, but they are actually very useful for Hammy, for packing of pots to be given away! With a bit of time and effort, often such "waste" can turn into pretty cool wrappings! Lets all make gift-giving an environmentally friendly one : )

But if after reading this you start to have you own ideas on how to reuse them for your own wrapping projects, 3 cheers too!!!

Thanks loads for your help in advance.

2008-10-23T11:52:00.003+08:00

Sleek

Jade pot

Happiness is not what happens when everything goes the way you think it should go; happiness is what happens when you decide to be happy ~ Marianne Williamson

2008-10-21T21:32:00.001+08:00

" If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music...so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great steet sweeper who did his job well' " ~ Martin Luther King, Jr

2008-10-21T21:24:00.002+08:00

Am humbled to be one of the potters for the upcoming Hwi Yoh Ceramic Group Ceramix 2008 exhibition, which promises to surprise both layman and ceramic art enthusiasts!! It will be held on 8-16 Nov, at National Library, 100 Victoria Street 5th Floor, Drama Centre. Admission is free! So come join us : )

2008-10-13T21:58:00.001+08:00

Hammy outside the home of Australian Potter Julie Shaw

Abundant during Financial Crisis

2008-10-12T12:04:00.001+08:00

I was reading the morning Sunday Times papers and the amount of doom and gloom reports are rather amazing. Perhaps they are what make the newspapers sell. McCain earlier attributed the cause to greed, whilst the economic experts say its panic and fear. It seems that nothing is really certain, that it might not be so easy to "make our money work for us" after all?

Then, near the end of the same paper, there was a nice article on monk Ajahn Brahm who's in town and sharing that he is most "immune" to the crisis - for he has nothing to lose. No greed, no fear.

I am not a financial expert, but i think it is a good time for us to think about fundamental questions - What are the truly important/valuable things in life?

Actually we all know the answers.

The most important things in life are free.

Love, friendship, compassion, spirituality, the air we breathe, the beautiful sunset, the smile of our loved ones....

I think the current "crisis" is a result and reflection of how lost we have become, by chasing after money and all external material stuffs... hoping that they can make up for all the truly important things that we lack in our hearts. When there is this lack and emptiness inside us (and worldwide), it is hardly surprising that such economic disasters are happening more and more frequently.

Whilst we sit tight til the economic situation turns for the better, lets take this opportunity to also look inwards fill our hearts with the many wonderful things in life that we have forgotten to be grateful for.

I think Ajahn Brahm has no fear because his happiness are truly simple. Thats not to say that we should all become monks. I just think that other than thinking about which baskets to count and put our money eggs into plus other earthly concerns, lets also remember to put our energy into counting our blessings and "growing" what is really important.

We can reverse our Being, from a state of lacking, to a state of simple abundance.

When we make that inner shift, life on earth goes on, but on a deeper level, we can stay unfazed, grounded and happy as Ajahn Brahm.

Sake bottle?

2008-10-07T12:23:00.001+08:00

Sake bottle...that turned out more like a vase ha ha!

Light Blue Bowl

2008-10-07T12:16:00.000+08:00

New bowl, called Into Open Sea : )

2008-10-05T14:15:00.000+08:00

The more i think, the more i feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people - Vincent Van Gogh

We are all born artists, but we have forgotten so.
Each life has a meaning and purpose, but we have forgotten so
In search of the illusive future, we have forgotten the present.
Isn't it such a waste?
Isn't it such a waste?
Sometimes i feel like hitting myself hard on the head! Ha ha.

Heal our fear

2008-10-05T13:54:00.002+08:00

The past week has been one of fear, lack and frustration for many in the world... including closed ones around me. The collective force can be so great, it could sweep us away if we are not centred. In times like this, it is easy to be controlled by unconscious emotions, which i have also caught myself being stuck in.

Then i came across this beautiful verse from Daily Om:

"Imagine if each of us took a few moments at the start of everyday to send out light from our hearts to the world. Mother Earth would be eased and the planet would be bathed in loving radiance...the world an infinitely beautiful place"

Let us counter our anxiety with the affirmation from Daily Om below...

I am a creative being, using my energy to co-create a wonderful world.
I know that i create my experiences of life from within, and as i do,
I also send forth ripples of energy around me that echo into the world.
My positive thoughts gather with the thoughts and prayers of others,
and together we create through enough positive energy not only to heal
our own lives, but also the earth we share.
I am grateful for the ability to co-create good in my life and on the planet.

Lets create a collective energy of love and healing into the world : )

2008-10-01T17:37:00.000+08:00

Another japanese bowl that turned out beautiful and
just how i wanted it to be.

A big bowl covered in thick white glaze
for that added solid feel in your hands!

2008-10-01T17:30:00.000+08:00

This is one of my favourite vase.
the effect shows a fallen autumn leaf,
ending its life journey being buried in
snow with the arrival of winter.

2008-10-01T17:26:00.001+08:00

Finished Pink Dolphin mug for Brian.

Before glaze firing, this is how
it looks with underglaze : )

2008-09-23T20:11:00.000+08:00

Japanese tea bowl. Not sure which
green is this, will have to test out again.
Sprayed over thinly with white matt.

Slabbed leaf with Green Crackle glaze.
For incense burning.

2008-09-01T15:16:00.000+08:00

Another vase using Rust Green, turns out nice and solid.
Clay body comprised of mixed YG clay and Taiwan clay.

This bowl i used micro crystal green.

2008-08-26T19:52:00.000+08:00

Found this wonderful passage from Jonathan Lazear's book "Come on, get happy":

Notice the Full Prism of Life's Colors

...Life is meant to be lived in color; the whole palette and every hue brings us a new aspect of opportunity and learning. Be an artist in your perceptions.

Shades of gray are the true colors of life. When you think only in black and white, you miss so much, and judge too harshly. Life is about nuance, not exactitude...

Life is about "somewhere in the middle". Nothing is as clean as we sometimes want to see it, so don't look at yourself and use two paintbrushes, one black and one white, look for the grays in you and in others.

: )

2008-08-26T19:40:00.000+08:00

Finally, one big decent bowl for the
exhibition! Rust green sprayed on with
matt white on Light Terragotta Grot clay.

Oh i like this melon-like pot.
Looks delicious doesn't it? i think
this colour is an acquired taste.
But i really love this rust green.

More Green Bowls

2008-08-26T19:37:00.001+08:00

The wave effect was an accident!
But even though it would not
pass as a good work, i still like
it for its imperfection : )

I think this is lustre turquoise?
Made too many green bowls and
got the glazes mixed up :(
Its rather classy.