Jay Jasper's Blog, page 133

Flight Grounded? You’ll never believe what this person did!

With flights at a standstill worldwide, it can be nice to think of a time when airplanes were not needed to get to far places. Let’s take a look back at Icarus taking to the skies with the “Flight of Icarus.”

Raku Pottery Vase – ‘The Flight of Icarus’

‘The Flight of Icarus’, tells the tale of the fabled flight of Icarus and serves as a cautionary tale for those who think they know better than their father. It also tells the tale of a foolish king and continuing on in the face of grief and the loss of a loved one.

One day Daedulus a master craftsman and artist of some renown and power was commissioned by the King of Crete, Minos to build the labyrinth that would eventually house the Minatour. Not long after completing the labyrinth, his patron imprisoned Daedulus and his son Icarus. Minos, was obviously not the brightest leader in the world at the time. Imprisoning a genius in a maze of their own devising isn’t the smartest move. Remind you of any current world leaders?

Of course Daedulus was able to come up with a solution for him and his son to escape the labyrinth. He constructed wings! Move over Red Bull! Daedulus was giving people wings way before you!

The wings he built for him and his son were made of wax and feathers and they worked like a charm. Daedulus warned his son Icarus not to fly to close to the sun, because the wax might melt.

The Story of “The Flight of Icarus” is available in “A Potter’s Dream: Myths and Legends which is currently only $23 including shipping!

While making their escape, Icarus was caught up in the excitement of flight. He ignored his father’s warning. As he got higher and higher the wax softened, and then melted.

As the feathers fell one by one, so would Icarus, who crashed into the sea and was drowned. Perhaps Daedulus should have known better. Teenagers have a long history of not listening to their parents.

Grief stricken, Daedulus settled in Sicily and hung up his wings for good, lamenting with grief that his own creation was responsible for the death of his son, by the sun.

Hmm, maybe it would be better to take an airplane after all….

The Flight of Icarus

Once we hit 300 subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.

Thorsty Thorsday

The word Thursday is derived from Old English Þūnresdæg and Middle English Thuresday (with loss of -n-, first in northern dialects, from influence of Old Norse Þórsdagr) meaning “Thor’s Day”. It was named after the Norse god of Thunder, Thor.

And so we have Thor’s Day.

So what day could be better day than that of Thor to reminisce about ‘Thor’s Veil,” which happens to be the name for this vase.

Thor’s Veil

“Thor’s Veil” tells the curious tale of cross dressing gods, an attempted force marriage, a missing hammer, giants and a wedding you will be happy you missed. Thrym, a giant, stole Thor’s hammer and would not return it unless he was allowed to marry Freyja. What was Thor to do? Dress up as a bride of course with Loki the trickster in tow as his handmaiden. Giants must have bad eyesight as they bought the disguise regardless of the many jokes from Loki alluding to the brides manliness. I guess Thor was no RuPaul.

Our story ends with Thor killing his groom and all the guests in attendance.
Good thing he did not have to go through his wedding night with a giant.

Ouch. That would probably hurt.

For the month of April, Thor’s Veil and all of the vases listed on the vase page are available for 10% off the posted price (all prices include shipping in Canada/US)!

A number of these vases are also written about in our first book, “A Potter’s Dream: Myths and Legends” which collects stories across cultures and centuries, adapting them to our pottery with wit, love, compassion and joy. “A Potter’s Dream: Myths and Legends” is a decidedly modern take (as seen above) on the traditional topics of pottery, healing, community – and what it means to be human – all interwoven with the magic of raku and stunning pottery.

Once we hit 300 subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.

Hey Buds!

It seems spring has sprung here at The Alchemist’s Studio! The lilacs and haskaps have big juicy buds and the rhubarb is poking it’s head out of the ground and saying hi, bringing thoughts of crisps and an oh so dry slightly sweet refreshing wine.

Future crisps, pie and wine!

My seedling starts are taking off. I should have enough tomatoes to open my own Italian restaurant this year! One of my favourite spring time activities is starting new plants from cuttings and dividing plants. This year I have plans to propagate some currants, elderberries and grapes! The best part is that I will not have to go to a garden store, and given the state of the world, that is a very good thing.

Chives are one of our earliest signs of spring.And this year I got a freebie. Plant division. It’s better than math!

What are the sights of the season where you are? If you’re a gardener or plant enthusiast, what’s growing in your garden?

Hey Bud(s)!

Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print, and a piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners.

To be entered (and keep on top of the Vase of Dreams and other community collaborations) you are invited to subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.

Your Invitation To Dream Together

As we continue to be locked down together around the world, I would like to re-extend my invitation for your collaboration on The Vase of Dreams.

My concept for this piece is to allow the process of raku and the flames of reduction to act as a communal intention and prayer for a better world. I am hoping that other dreamers will join me by commenting with their hopes and dreams for how our world could be a better place.

Please continue to add your hopes and dreams for a better post-pandemic world here.

On my end, I continue to work away on creating the vase itself – a vessel for all the dreamers of the world.

This invitation is for everyone. In case you have not yet added your hope for the post-Corona future, the call for dreams is open here.

Please feel free to share with any and all dreamers in your life.

Let’s make this collaboration one for the history books!

Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print, and a piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners.

To be entered (and keep on top of the Vase of Dreams and other community collaborations) you are invited to subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.

Conscious Acts of Kindness

With all that is going in the world, it can be easy to miss the every day opportunities to be kind, but those opportunities have not gone away!

During lockdown or otherwise, we continue to choose our words and how we express them. We can choose to focus our actions on growing loving kindness in the every day moments.

And on top of that, research shows that being kind even helps us each to feel better! What’s not to love?

What is one of your favourite small acts of kindness to share?

Once we hit 300 subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.

If you have coronavirus on mind (as so many of us do right now) please check out this helpful post, B-B-B Bye Corona, Self-Care In The Time of Pandemic.

Join our project to help build more hope and co-create a better world during the pandemic of the coronavirus and beyond.

On The Wheel Wednesday – April 8!

Happy Wednesday!

I had a great time throwing this pot today and wanted to share it with you. I have big plans for it: to be the Vase of Dreams! (you can participate by adding your comments on the project page here).

Much more to come, but I am excited to show you first steps!

And don’t forget! If you are in need of some reading during this time of self isolation, my book is on sale. You can purchase it directly here!

As well, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. Once we hit 300 subscribers we will be randomly choosing a couple of people to send some cool prizes to help brighten up this chaotic time! If you have already subscribed, you are already automatically entered! Stay safe and healthy!

A Potter’s Procurables

The creation of physical artwork requires physical space. The more we create, the more room we need for new works! As such, for the month of April all vases listed on the vase page are available for 10% off the posted price (all prices include shipping in Canada/US)!

A number of these vases are also written about in our first book, ““A Potter’s Dream: Myths and Legends” which collects stories across cultures and centuries, adapting them to our pottery with wit, love, compassion and joy. “A Potter’s Dream: Myths and Legends” is a decidedly modern take on the traditional topics of pottery, healing, community – and what it means to be human – all interwoven with the magic of raku and stunning pottery.

A Vase For You

You may see the price by clicking on the vase’s name to go to the page for a particular vase. As our online store is not yet fully rolled out, if you are interested in purchase (or simply have a question or two) please send a quick message to us via our contact page.

If you have had eyes on a particular vase for some time, now could be a great time to reach out!

Evangeline

The Eye of Horus

Aurora





Phoenix Reborn





Ogopogo

Gossip Girl

Shangri-la

To see even more vases, please head to the Raku Vases page

If you have coronavirus on mind (as so many of us do right now) please check out this helpful post, B-B-B Bye Corona, Self-Care In The Time of Pandemic.

Once we hit 300 subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.

Join our project to help build more hope and co-create a better world during the pandemic of the coronavirus and beyond.

Inspiration from Tragedy

I do not think that many people would argue that there is a tragedy unfolding in the world today, known as the coronavirus. It is disrupting lives, making people sick, threatening vulnerable populations, destroying livelihoods and is generally a menace.

I recently completed a sculpture of the coronavirus, which you can see more images of here.

My coronavirus sculpture in process.

In the comments and amongst friends and family a number of people were wondering why I would make such a dark creation. That inspired me to talk a little more about my thinking before, during and after the experience.

Initially, I was inspired by the interesting images of the virus and that in it’s physical form it was an intriguing shape, that could help me hone my throwing and handbuilding skills.

Beyond that I found the process empowering. The coronavirus has been impacting my mental health and in all honesty making me feel some fear. Part of this is that because of past health issues I have had, I am particularly vulnerable to a poor outcome should I get coronavirus.

Through this process I was able to face my fear around the virus and let it go by making a physical representation of it. Somehow, for me it helped to dispel the fear and helped me get back into a normal artistic practice.

Going through the process I was able to see beauty in the physical form of this piece as well. It brought me hope that as horrible as this pandemic is, that it is an opportunity for the world to become a better place and address more suffering and inequality in the world.

It has also inspired some new creativity. I loved hearing everyone’s comments on other things this sculpture could be. So that will certainly inspire some new makes. But also, I have decided to do a new series of globular forms. Think celestial. I may have to make another piece like this and call it Sputnik.

This easing of fear has allowed me to embrace my art more and find greater peace with this situation. I still have every intention of self isolating to protect myself from the coronavirus and staying safe. I hope all of you stay safe too and find a way to challenge any fear you might have into something that positive and empowering. One way could be by adding your comment for inclusion in The Vase of Dreams. From darkness can come growth and positive change.

Please subscribe to our newsletter for updates and announcements related to this and other projects.

Spring Forward and Win!

Happy Spring everyone! The snow to receding here in Atlantic Canada, the chives are poking up through the ground. To the casual observer, this may seem like any other start of spring. However, the human world is in great chaos with fears firmly rooted in a deadly virus that is changing the way we live.

An annual ritual here at this time of year is starting seeds for the growing season. This year will be no different:

It has often been stated that planting seeds and growing your own garden is an act of faith and hope. For some reason that seems a little more true this year. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any toilet paper seeds though.

In our house we have been self-isolating in order to protect the health of our community and ourselves. Here we have worked from home well before the pandemic, so things have not changed all that much. Throw in the fact that I am an introvert and I am holding up well. Now only, if I could stop checking the number of new cases several times a day and listening to the news.

I hope that you and all of my readers are safe and have everything that they need to get through this unprecedented time. I know it is hard to not feel fear and anxiety during this crazy time, but maybe some of the ideas here may help. Make sure you take care of yourself and others. If you or someone you know are affected by the coronavirus, or you are feeling anxious about it, you can add your intention for healing to our ‘Healing Vase’ project for 2020 here. It is a community based art project that can help bring people together safely at this time.

I am also happy to announce a giveaway that we will be doing here at the pottery. Some of you may know that we have a newsletter that we send out a few times a year to keep people updated on our latest creations and special offers.

Once we hit 300 subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelery for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.

How has life changed for you during the coronavirus? Are you self isolating? How are you spending your time?

Yoda Multi-Colour Print

Will This Go Viral? At least it won’t make you sick like the coronavirus!

It felt good to get back on the wheel this week. It seems I am finally adjusting to this new normal of self isolation and I am determined to make this a creative time for myself. Some of you may recall that I had started working on a new piece this week on the wheel:

The first step in this process!

After this step, I trimmed the piece on the wheel to make a sphere that could lay on a flat surface before I started the handbuilding portion of the sculpture.

My concept for this piece was to make a sculpture of the actual coronavirus. Heaven knows it is almost impossible to not see a picture of it everyday! For my piece, I have put a key hole on the end of each of the viruses tentacles, to not only represent the lockdown in our homes that most of us face, but also to represent the day when we lock the virus out of all countries.

I know they are called something else, but tentacles seems like the most appropriate word for the prongs of the virus.

The next step in this project is to allow the piece to dry, and a bisque firing before glazing, which will present some interesting challenges. I am currently considering a number of glazing options for this piece. I welcome any suggestions or ideas that you may have in the comments below.

What do you think of my coronavirus sculpture? If you are tired of hearing about the coronavirus, we can pretend it is a sea urchin