Category Archives: News

Glaze, News, Opinion, Technique

The best ceramic glaze book of the year

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What is the best ceramic glaze book of this year? If you ask me, that’s “Special Effect Glazes” by Linda Bloomfield. This is the first book that explains how to analyze (special) glazes using the UMF and plotting it on the Stull Chart. The author also explains how you can do this easily: by using Glazy.org.

This is the modern way to discover the “mechanism” behind the glaze. In other words “what makes this glaze tick“. She is not the first to analyze glazes in this way. Matt Katz of Ceramic Materials Workshop in particular is the driving force behind this contemporary view. But he hasn’t (yet) written a book about it.

Ceramic Glazes Test Tiles 2

In short, as far as I am concerned , this is the book to show 21st century ceramists the way to that new manner of discovering ceramic glazes.

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News, Personally

New Ceramic Turtles Born on the wheel

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We all deserve ceramic turtles. Unique craft figurines. A happy note during the dark days before Christmas. A small present during the 2nd corona wave. At least I was ready for that. And we can always use a little ceramic friend.

Anyway, I thought it would be nice to spin some turtles on the wheel and share the process. Yes, these gouty reptiles are born on the wheel Every turtle is unique. And not only the turtle is unique, also the finish is exclusive.

Ceramic turtles terra

Curious how I make them? Then read on…

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News

The latest is out: Ceramist guide 25 years!

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The latest edition of the Ceramist Guide North-Holland is out! And it’s an anniversary edition too. So don’t miss out.

For 25 years, this guide has been outlining the diversity of all ceramists in Noord-Holland (“North-Holland” a province in the Netherlands). A handy booklet full of photos, published by the Foundation Keramisten Noord-Holland.

This year with 50 works of the participating ceramic artists. Beautifully designed by Steffie of graphic design agency ‘t Witte Huys. Carefully printed and bound by Prestess Print. It can’t be more “North Holland” than this…

Or can it?

Yes, to pick up the guides I got on my bike last week to fellow ceramist Cock of Atelier de Kruik in Ursem. First, a nice bike ride through the landscape of North-Holland. Then a nice cup of coffee. And finally, I was able to claim my share of the loot. A fresh ink-smelling pile of ceramist guides.

Noord_Holland from the bike
Share the loot?

A handy booklet with 50 photos of the latest ceramics from North Holland. Stay informed and get inspired by the diversity of all contemporary ceramics. Reader beware: texts only in Dutch( but there are a lot of pictures).

My booklets have all been sold, but they are stil available from the board of the Keramisten Noord-Holland.

Would you like to know more about 25 years of Ceramists’ Guides? Then read on…

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News

NVK-Ceramics 45 years, we celebrate in Nijmegen

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In the nick of time a blog from me to announce the exhibition of the NVK-ceramics.

The Dutch Trade Group Ceramics (“Nederlandse Vakgroep Keramisten” or “NVK” for short in dutch) celebrates it’s 45 years anniversary. To mark the occasion, there will be a sizzling exhibition of the members in Nijmegen this weekend. Together with more than 60 fellow ceramic artists, we’re going to make it a splashing (birthday) party and you’re  invited!

NVK-Keramiek Expo Nijmegen 2019

45 years of NVK-Ceramics: a sizzling expo
Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Vasim, Winselingseweg 41,
6541 AH Nijmegen
(entrance site via Latensteinweg)
Free admission!

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News

Burgundian enjoyment, Ceramics Fair Maaseik 2019

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Sunday June 30th International Ceramics Fair Maaseik 2019. Over a 100 ceramic artists in the center of this historic city in Belgian Limburg. Who is coming? Many acquaintances from this frog country -as we say in the Netherlands-, and yes I also will be there.

It has been a few years when I participated in this ceramics fair. I am curious to see what will happen this time. The ambiance is always good and the organization by the municipality is, as usual, top notch!

Ceramics Market MaaseikDo you also want to enjoy contemporary ceramics in a historical Burgundian ambiance? Come visit!

Ceramics Fair Maaseik 2019
Sunday 30 June
9:00 to 17:00 hours
Markt (center) Maaseik
Access 2 euro (from 12 years)

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News

Art Route Drechterland 2019, welcome to Schellinkhout

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Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June, Art Route Drechterland 2019. Artists and guest exhibitors in the villages of Drechterland will open their workshops and/or exhibition space for you this weekend between 11am and 5pm.

Drechterland is located next to the city of Hoorn and South of the Marker Lake. The art route passes through the villages of Hoogkarspel, Westwoud, Venhuizen, Hem, Oosterleek, Wijdenes, Schellinkhout en Oosterblokker. You can make your own interactive bike or autoroute on the website of the art Route Drechterland.

Location of our exhibition together with Sigrid Verbruggen and Fredie Schenk is on  the Dorpsweg 126, Schellinkhout (location 7). The studio (and the beautiful sculpture garden) of Fredie is open and fitted for our exhibition of ceramics and paintings. A nice combination, a beautiful location and pleasant company:-) You don’t want to miss that….

Art Route Drechterland
Location 7
Weekend 15 and 16 June 2019
Studio of Fredie Schenk (FKS ceramics)
Dorpsweg 126, 1697 KH Schellinkhout
Opened both days from 11am – 5pm

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News

Minerva’s Owl is Crying

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“Minerva’s owl spreads its wings at nightfall.”

[…] “We are undermined by our universities, our journalists, by the people who receive our art grants and who design our buildings.”

[…] “But we have been called to the front. Because we have to. Because our country needs us.”

Thierry Baudet, 3/21/2019

The goddess Minerva cannot defend herself against this defilement. Minerva’s owl weeps and I cry with her.

Cry for them with hatred in their hearts
Cry for them without awareness
Cry for them

Avé, morituri too salutant

The Owl of Minerva is crying 2

News

Passion for Clay, SKNH Exposition Tuitjenhorn 2019

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What connects all the ceramic artists in the world? A passion for clay. How do we honor the clay? In different ways. The ceramists of North-Holland, united in the SKNH, celebrate this passion the next two weekends in Tuitjenhorn and everyone is welcome at the party!

And how do you start a great ceramic feast? With a cleanup and to stock bee… uh I mean to arrange sculptures. And that’s exactly what all thirty ceramists of North-Holland have done today. And yes that meant I had to work too…Exposition Tuitjenhorn-3

Large Retrospective of the Ceramics of the SKNH members
De OndernemersCentrale (DOC)
Oostwal 2 1747 EZ Tuitjenhorn
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March
Opening Hours: 11.00-17.00

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News

Art Fusion: The Shop Tattoo All Stars

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Art, Tattoo, Records and Comics: the Shop – Tattoo All Stars. Art Fusion in practice. The store is new, the property is old, vibrant and exciting in the heart of Veenendaal, Achterkerkstraat 24 (100 meters from the market). Curious? Take a look at Instagram, Facebook or just step inside the store, then you’ll see what I mean.

How did I discover this melting pot of art? Because I know all the art hotspots of the Netherlands…. Okay, actually because Connie from “The Shop” had seen my ceramic sculptures and this was a perfect match for her gallery.

The Shop Tattoo All Stars-Connie and Daniel

I fully agree, an art fusion without ceramics is not complete. Especially if it concerns my ceramics;-)

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News

End-Of-Year-Exhibition 2018 St. Keramisten NH

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The first snow has fallen. So time for the End-Of-Year-Exhibition 2018 of the St. Keramisten NH (Foundation Ceramists North Holland). Like last year, Keramikos, (Oudeweg 151 – 153, Haarlem) is our host.

The exhibition only runs until 19 January 2019, so do not wait too long to visit…

“Magda”, “Hokus” and “Penetrating” are the ceramic sculptures that I have submitted this year.Magda, Hokus and primed ceramic sculpturesThis trio isn’t lonely, there are almost 80 works exhibited by 25 colleague ceramists.

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News

My Etsy tufted duck on the Christmas table

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I hear you thinking, “A tufted duck for Christmas diner?” No, these ducks are already roasted. I do not propose another Christmas banquet, I would like to introduce you to my latest ceramic sculptures, which would like to visit for the holidays.

And what an “Etsy” is? Let me start at the beginning. As I write this blog my kiln is cooling  from a bisque fire. In the barn,  my kiln space, it’s nice and warm, but outside it’s chilly. Days are getting shorter and I keep getting more emails about making my Etsy store winter ready for the holiday season.

Tufted Duck Ceramics (6 or 8)

And I have started. I filled my shop with new sculptures. And I’ve made my first discount campaign at Etsy…

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News

Ceramics Fair Dordrecht 2018

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Autumn is coming, so… (drum roll)… time for the ceramics fair Dordrecht 2018. More than 60 ceramists from Holland and abroad on the Statenplein (square) in the heart of Dordrecht, it is outside so I hope for good weather!

Ceramics Fair Dordrecht 2018
Sunday October 7
Statenplein (city centre)
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

But however the weather will be, this year I will be there again (stall 34). So if you are looking for an unique gift for someone special (or just for your own collection), come along! And if you want to come and say goodbye, you are also more than welcome;-)

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