About

My ceramics are about you & me, connected to nature.

Poems
The constant symbiosis is my source of inspiration. Culture, rituals, philosophy, dreams, balance are coming in and fade away like waves into expression.

Clay & ash
With Japanese techniques I create limited editions and unique one of kinds. The clay comes from different areas in Japan. Also from Ishigaki island. For my handmade Japanese glazes I do extensive research and most of them are Japanese glazes made from ash of natural origin.

Fire
My ceramics are fired in oxidation or reduction environment on high stoneware temperatures. The kiln/oven was shipped from main island Japan, Seto, to my atelier in Ishigaki island. This was quite an operation. Seto is one of the 6 ancient kiln villages in Japan. Nowadays it`s still a pottery village with many people and businesses connected to pottery production.

The kiln is built by a Japanese kiln master from Seto. His craftsmanship is part of his family for many generations. He could be the last generation, because he doesn’t have a successor. Unfortunately this is what happens now with generations of craftsmen in Japan.

Handmade
The good thing is, that the appreciation for handmade products is increasing. People value the skills, the dedication and artistic sensitivity needed in order to create. Through my work, I`d like to pay tribute -although small- to the craftsmen of today and the past.

Japan
My memoirs about beautiful places in Japan, we came across ourselves, could be a nice read if you`re about to plan a trip to Japan. Also if you’d like to know more about Japanese pottery. Most of my posts are in Dutch, which I hope to translate in future.

Books
This year it finally came to life, a travel guide on Ishigaki island. For several years we travelled around the island, learning about history, nature, culture but most important the atmosphere and local people. Information we love to share with new travellers. As my background is in tourism management, I hope to give you an extensive view on the island, to inspire you for your next dream trip to Japan. I wrote the guide book in Dutch (the only Ishigaki guide book in Dutch). It will be translated in the near future.

---