| about Rachel |
In my late teens, a friend of a friend invited me to an
open studio to try my hand at pottery. He sat at one
wheel and made a pot, I sat at another wheel and
copied what he did. I knew that day I wanted to be a
potter.
During the next few years I travelled from one side of
the country to the other, and from the south to the
North. I worked with several potters to acquire basic
potting skills. When I moved to New Brunswick with
my husband, Bob, he, his father, and I made my first
kickwheel from two-by-six inch planks, an old stone
grindstone and a kit which consisted of a metal shaft,
two bearings, and a wheelhead (over thirty years later,
I still use this wheel every day.) I have made my living
as a potter ever since -- actually, ever since 1979.
open studio to try my hand at pottery. He sat at one
wheel and made a pot, I sat at another wheel and
copied what he did. I knew that day I wanted to be a
potter.
During the next few years I travelled from one side of
the country to the other, and from the south to the
North. I worked with several potters to acquire basic
potting skills. When I moved to New Brunswick with
my husband, Bob, he, his father, and I made my first
kickwheel from two-by-six inch planks, an old stone
grindstone and a kit which consisted of a metal shaft,
two bearings, and a wheelhead (over thirty years later,
I still use this wheel every day.) I have made my living
as a potter ever since -- actually, ever since 1979.
Handmade pottery was everywhere! The
diversity of handmade ware and the value
placed on it in Japan was deeply moving
and incredibly inspiring. We were able to
see pottery from all over the world, and
from many periods and civilizations, in
dozens of world-class museums available to
us that year. We visited pottery towns, and
I studied with a Japanese pottery sensei to
learn the ancient technique of hemozukari --
constructing work from coil-built clay slabs.
We studied shodo,Japanese calligraphy,
and experienced many culturally important
ceremonies such as the tea ceremony, the
blessing of the drums at Narita temple, and
more. But, best of all, we got to use many,
many different handmade pots in
restaurants exclusive and common, in
community izakayas and pubs atop
skyscrapers looking out over endless city,
and in the homes of the many friends we
diversity of handmade ware and the value
placed on it in Japan was deeply moving
and incredibly inspiring. We were able to
see pottery from all over the world, and
from many periods and civilizations, in
dozens of world-class museums available to
us that year. We visited pottery towns, and
I studied with a Japanese pottery sensei to
learn the ancient technique of hemozukari --
constructing work from coil-built clay slabs.
We studied shodo,Japanese calligraphy,
and experienced many culturally important
ceremonies such as the tea ceremony, the
blessing of the drums at Narita temple, and
more. But, best of all, we got to use many,
many different handmade pots in
restaurants exclusive and common, in
community izakayas and pubs atop
skyscrapers looking out over endless city,
and in the homes of the many friends we
made. For a potter, there is no more
heartening experience than to find the
work of fellow craftsmen universally
revered, cherished as part of daily life
and as a pervasive symbol of the
culture.
Years later, this awareness is still
with me. It nourishes my sense of
pride in my craft. It encourages me to
keep growing as an artist. Finally, it
strengthens the regard and gratitude I
feel for my customers and our friends
who share their appreciation of fine
craft with everyone they come in
contact with. Thank you!
Best Regards,
Rachel
Hidden House Pottery
heartening experience than to find the
work of fellow craftsmen universally
revered, cherished as part of daily life
and as a pervasive symbol of the
culture.
Years later, this awareness is still
with me. It nourishes my sense of
pride in my craft. It encourages me to
keep growing as an artist. Finally, it
strengthens the regard and gratitude I
feel for my customers and our friends
who share their appreciation of fine
craft with everyone they come in
contact with. Thank you!
Best Regards,
Rachel
Hidden House Pottery
Over the years my studio has been in many parts
of the house, the kitchen, the living room, the
basement . . . inconvenience didn't matter as much as
the need to create and improve my craft! Since 1994
I've enjoyed a permanent, dedicated studio space with
a stair that winds up to the kettle and a door that
opens onto my garden. I love my garden and being
out in it. From spring through the summer and until
the end of autumn I find I am called from one to the
other, from studio to garden. It's wonderful to have
both, but there hardly seems time for either!
Perhaps the greatest influence on my work began
in August 2005 when my husband and I moved to
Japan for a year. It was an inspiring period on many
levels. We lived in Chiba Prefecture, in
Nishinarashino, about 30 kilometers west of Tokyo.
of the house, the kitchen, the living room, the
basement . . . inconvenience didn't matter as much as
the need to create and improve my craft! Since 1994
I've enjoyed a permanent, dedicated studio space with
a stair that winds up to the kettle and a door that
opens onto my garden. I love my garden and being
out in it. From spring through the summer and until
the end of autumn I find I am called from one to the
other, from studio to garden. It's wonderful to have
both, but there hardly seems time for either!
Perhaps the greatest influence on my work began
in August 2005 when my husband and I moved to
Japan for a year. It was an inspiring period on many
levels. We lived in Chiba Prefecture, in
Nishinarashino, about 30 kilometers west of Tokyo.