The Exotic Teapot

Mary Dorsch believes in recycling.  Her studio consists of old shelves and old carts.  Her clay she reuses, making round vessels then with the remains making squared pieces, such as these glorious squared teapots.  Her unused clay, she stores in old plastic bags and the energy used is from wind power.  The pots cracked from the high heat in kilns she gives to mosaic artists.  Do you know that quality loose tea leaves can be used more than once?

This pot appears to be floating in mid-air or even slowly falling from the sky.  The flowing liquid from the spout enhances the sense of motion.  I wondered if those working in the nearby office building were not heavy tea drinkers; thus, their tribute to the beverage.  But then I noticed the windows were covered with shades and shelves of vessels; perhaps this could be from management accusing workers of taking too many tea breaks.   

Glazes within the copper tone hues are the most difficult to predict and manage in pottery.  Not only does it require a particular schedule of firing in the kiln, it mandates monitoring throughout the bake.  We all too often take for granted the rich colours of red in our teapots and cups.  Realistically, it is a skill that takes years to perfect.  Daniel Dermer has practiced and obviously learned these techniques as evident with this rich ruby red teapot.

These hand blown glass teapots are made by Elaine Hyde.  Glass is made of silica sand and for color metallic oxides are added.  First the base is heated and blown which is the consistency of honey; this requires continuous spinning and various tools to achieve the desired shape.  After cooling overnight, colour is added and sprayed with tin oxide; it is the degree of silver that creates the level of iridescence. Not only has Elaine mastered the technique of glass blowing, she has created some of the most magnificently designed teapots ever seen.      

I have always thought a teapot a work of art.  This includes an image that is painted on the vessel.  And, now that I have seen Jo St. Baker’s canvases, I think a painting on a teapot within a painting is truly a work of art.  With fine brush strokes, acrylic paints and an eye for recognizing the beauty which silver reflects, Baker has mastered contemporary surrealism via teapots.  Not only are the pots magnificently designed, the mirrored images are equally as intriguing. 

Who hasn’t heard the saying ‘a spot of tea’?  Apparently very few, at least that is in the UK and the US.  According to the World Wide Words Organization Americans use the phrase as often, if not more over the last few decades, than the Brits.  However, interpretation is not the same.  Additionally, region and social class impact its elucidation.  Generally Americans think it means a cup of tea whereas in the UK it refers to tea with food.  To further complicate the subject, the region in UK may alter whether it is afternoon tea with refreshment or an evening meal.  In spite of the discrepancies, there is none when it comes to the word ‘spot’ as the Brits are recognized worldwide for the slangy term.

Joy Imai has been a potter for 35 years.  After many years of raku firing pieces, she has returned to her original study of soda firing. This now makes the outcome of her teapots and mugs a surprise even to her.

I spray a solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water into a hot kiln, and the high heat causes the solution to break down into sodium vapor and carbon dioxide.  The sodium vapor combines with elements in the clay and forms an “orange peel” textured glaze on the surface.  The vapors follow the flame circulation in the kiln and “flashing” occurs on the pots.  I like the unique way the firing process is recorded on each pot.

Mel Jacobson was an apprentice to master potter Kunio Uchida in Kyoto, Japan.  During his twelve month apprenticeship he learned that tea bowls are to be used for functional purposes and aesthetically should not overshadow the traditions of the tea ceremony.  The historical restrictions of an authentic tea bowl are:

1.      The shape is either Winter (tall sides) or Summer (open sides).

2.      There should be a dent in the bottom of the bowl.

3.      The colour of the clay should be warm (red, black, brown).

4.      There should be a ring foot with a slight asymmetric cut.

5.      There should be a nipple inside the ring foot.

What originally caught my eye were the colours of this teapot.  As with any original work of art I am then compelled to read the artist’s statement, as that is what makes the piece special.  Sally Jaffee had no formal academic training in her bio; what she does have are 35 years of passion for pottery.  She, alongside other potters, created a co-op in the 1970’s to teach one another techniques then sell what they could to support their pottery fix.  She is thankful for every moment to moment opportunity throughout her artistic career. 

Haiku poetry originated in Japan in the 17^th century.  The goal of Haiku is to describe an object, person, event or feeling.  Then, reveal how it impacts the poet – similar to an ‘aha’ moment.  What makes this so challenging is it has to be accomplished in three lines and 17 syllables:  the first and third lines are to have 5 syllables each and the second, 7 syllables.  Artist Alexis Siemons, from teaspoons and petals, writes haiku poetry about tea.  She then paints the poems on white porcelain cups.

Leaves like paintbrushes

Are coloring the water

Steep it, watch and breathe.

If you haven’t visited a wine and spirits shop in the U.S. you may be surprised at the variety of tea infused vodkas on the shelves.  Even the finer pubs and bars, especially in southeastern USA, vie for the most unique tea infused martinis and cocktails.  Southerners have always been known for drinking sweet iced tea; most restaurants in the region assume that when you order tea, it is to be iced and laden with sugar.  No wonder sweet tea infused vodkas have caught on so quickly.  One brand warns that even the daintiest of belles can drink a mason jar full before feeling fuzzy. 

There are many reasons to select tea and associated wares as a gift set.  The gift card to the recipient(s) and the chosen items in the set can easily be catered to his/her personality.  Here are just three of many options when personalizing a gift set.

1. For the health conscious friend gift card:  You are what you drink (include green, white or herbal teas)
2. For the one that schedules too many activities:  There is always time for tea (include single mug infuser)
3. For the optimist card:  With this gift, each day will blossom (include clear glass teapot with flowering tea)

Shino glaze originated in the 16^th century, which ever since has been favoured by masters of tea ceremonies. It is believed shino is a variation of shiro, the Japanese word for white.  Originally artists painted under or over the white glaze with various shades of brown.  In the 1970’s, shino fire colours were introduced.  These included: flares of orange and gold; beaded surfaces, and; carbon trappings (specks of black).  Shino glaze experts now add even more pigments, such as this teapot made by Brent Johnson who specializes in Japanese folk pottery.

Bob Kinzie has been a potter since 1960.  But it has only been ten years for wife Sandy.  Now their desire is to: together evolve and mature aesthetically.  With Bob using a pottery wheel and Sandy hand building teapots, they work side by side in their studio.  Both have created magnificent textured pieces that are on display in museums and featured in internationally published magazines. 

Hsin-Chuen Lin attributes his pottery to the Sung Dynasty (960-1279).  With all these years of Chinese cultural resource, Lin believes the creation of new ceramic pieces is endless.  However, he readily admits that the exposure to contemporary processes in ceramics has allowed him the freedom and spontaneity to integrate the old and new.  For example, he does not embellish this teapot as the form is its beauty; yet, he uses a spray bottle full of glaze to lightly tint the piece.