Euan Craig　 A Potter's Life

Mashiko Potters Recovery Exhibition

2012-02-23T16:19:00.001+09:00

Euan has a group exhibition at Tokyo American Club Frederick Harris Gallery

from 27th February.

This Exhibition is the first step for re-starting for Euan from here, Minakami.

It is still a struggle for him as a potter who does not have his own kiln yet......

Once he build his kiln, everything will start to move forward, he is making plans for the first kiln exhibition.

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Mashiko Potters Recovery Exhibition

02/27/2012(mon) -- 03/25/2012(sun)

Open daily 11:00am - 9:00pm

Open till 5:30pm on 03/25

Tokyo American Club

Frederick Harris Gallery (B1F)

2-1-2 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8649

Tel: 03-4588-0381

E-mail: tac@tac-club.org

http://www.tokyoamericanclub.org/

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The Kiln foundation is started !!

2012-01-15T11:50:00.000+09:00

I wanted to write about fixing our house with friends,
but I have news to tell you first.....

The foundation work for the kiln, which was scheduled to start at the end of last year but was delayed by snow, started on January 11th!

We seemed to have waited for a long time.

A very long time....

Learning the lessons of the earthquake,
the foundations this time are designed to support the seven tonne weight of the kiln,

and brace the kiln with an iron frame as before.

Euan has changed the kiln design to be more earthquake resistant.
(I'll tell you more about that when he starts construction!)

There was much lost in the earthquake, but we also learned a great deal and had the heart warming support of many people.

The courage to move forward, the strength to continue.

To all of you, our heartfelt thanks.

Putting the family's safety and welfare first, Euan can now finally start to concentrate on his real job, being a potter.

You can see Euan overflowing with joy♪

Congratulations, Euan.
And always, thank you.

He has a group exhibition scheduled for late February, and must make new work before then, fitting the kiln building in the schedule as well.

I am worried about when he can build the kiln, but if necessary he can pobably borrow the "Euan" kiln at the Mashiko Tougei Club.

Whatever happens, we will move forward, one step at a time.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:48:00.000+09:00

Happy New Year!

I wish you much happiness in this coming year.

There were so many things that happened to many people last year. Enough to change your life values....

There were times when it was very hard and uncertain, even for us, whether we would be able to overcome these things and to move forwards.

But at the same time, we received much encouragement, support, and help and many warm thoughts for us.
Thank you very much.

We walk forwards one step at a time.

My elder sister, Emiko, sent us a New Year card, with these word,
" Let's have a good year.
We can create our own future."
Thank you.

Let's have a good year!

Mashiko Pottery Festival ♪

2011-11-01T20:15:00.002+09:00

Mashiko Pottery Festival will start
from 3rd to 7th of November.

Euan will have a tent at Tohboh Mashiyama as always.
If you have a chance please drop in to his tent.
He is looking forward to seeing you.

I am planning to go to Mashiko from 5th to 6th with my children, they have to go to school on Friday and I will make my daughter take a day off from basketball club so we can go to Mashiko all weekend.

We are really looking forward to going to Mashiko ♪

(At Spring Mashiko Pottery Festival....)

We had a Sports day every weekend last month

2011-10-15T23:23:00.001+09:00

I haven't written a post for a long time.

We had so many things happening here in Minakami, where it's getting cooler morning and evening.

Firstly, the family.........

We had a School Sports Day every weekend during September.

The first weekend was at the primary school,

then next weekend was at the junior high school,

the third weekend was at the preschool.

The children had moved to the new school since this spring, they've made new friends, they seem to be getting used to the new school life.

We, as parents, were moved in many ways when we saw the children were doing their best with new friends, happily and resiliently.

Of course, we are doing our best too.

Euan is trying to join in the school events here as well.
The next day however, he ached from head to foot.

Unfortunately it rained during the junior high school sports day, but the children still did their best.

Sora is also doing her best and having fun with her classmates. Because of her back injury she needs to wear a back brace and pace herself, but that's a long story.

We can't forget about the cheer squad.
What? You were too busy playing to watch?!

We had the best smile under the blue sky the next weekend

All the children really did their best, and we can see they are growing both physically and emotionaly.

I think we all are definitely moving forewards little by little.

And I'm truly proud of my children from the bottom of my heart.

You kids are awesome!!

The exhibition finished.

2011-09-04T20:28:00.000+09:00

Euan had finished his exhibition at Gallery Ciel in Utsunomiya, Tochigi.

Many people visited the exhibition.

Thank you very much.

Euan was very happy to see you and to talk to you there.

Your words warmed our hearts.

Euan had lived about half of his life in Tochigi,

it is like a second home town for him now.

It is precious to us to have the opportunity to see you all.

He has left and moved from there,

but Tochigi remains in his heart.

And our children's hearts,

and mine also.

However, the opportunity to see you gives us confidence.

We will try hard to put down new roots here.

Thank you for your continuing support.

Exhibition at Gallery Ciel

2011-08-23T01:00:00.002+09:00

Euan will have a solo exhibition at Gallery Ciel in Utsunomiya, Tochigi.

He is at the gallery everyday except on Aug. 28th.

He is looking forward to shearing his new works with you

and seeing you there.

Euan Craig Ceramics

Aug. 25th Thr. - 31st Wed.

11:00am ~ 6:00pm (Open everyday)

Gallery Ciel

4065 Nakaokamoto, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi-ken

TEL：　028-671-8210

By car: Straight toward Shirasawa about 1km from Route 4,
            at the right hand side on the hill after pass a convenience store, Seven- Eleven.
            Car park at the apartment, Sun Heights Okamoto. (8 cars)

By Train: On foot 8 minutes, 700m from Okamoto Station, by one stop
               from Utsunomiya Station.

Birthday ♪

2011-07-19T15:13:00.002+09:00

It was Canaan's Birthday on July 16th. He became 12 years old.

The school will finish the first term, start the summer holiday soon.

He is getting use to the new school, made some friends.

But it takes a time to make good friends like he made in the other school.
You don't have to rush it, you can make a good friend.

after the earthquake and nuclear power plant's accident, his life changed very much, also his school and his friends, he has to live apart from Dad who is making pots in Nagano on weekdays, we can't build the studio yet, he has to squeeze in and share space in his uncle's house, it is not easy......
But don't give up and do our best together, it is a turning point, we can make a good life and future from here. We can do it together. And you can.

Happy birthday Canaan.

Surprise!

2011-07-07T22:48:00.000+09:00

It was my birthday on June 29th.

Euan gave me a phone call from Nagano on the 28th, and while we were talking,

he suddenly said,"I've just done teleportation."
Ha?? What did he mean??, I thought....
Then Euan's face appeared from the window!

The kids and I all screamed (with joy, of course).

He came home for my birthday from Nagano.
Thank you, Euan. I was very glad and surprised.

It reminded me of the day I saw a stranger's shadow.

At that time I couldn't say a word.

Everyone celebrated for my birthday on 29th.

I was very happy.

When I looked at the east sky, it was a beautiful clouds in the sunset. It might be a present from God....

Before dinner, we started to talk about the day on March 11th from the conversation about Sora's speech she just wrote the other day.

Euan and I cared about our children's feelings after the earthquake, we tried to help them to speak, listen, write and draw. But I find out they still kept many things in their minds.

They must have pushed their feelings into their heart to survive and protect themselves from the big change.

I think that they are used to living this life in Minakami now, so they might be able to start sharing their thoughts at last.

We can share laughing, crying and talking in this family.

I think I am very happy.

This is the family I always wanted.

It is the best birthday present.

Thank you all.

Carrying bricks

2011-06-28T08:04:00.000+09:00

On 20th and 21st June, Friends helped to carry the bricks of Euan's kiln from Ichikai, Tochigi to Minakami.
They are teachers at an American school in Japan, they borrowed trucks and
came to help us. It is about 7 tons for just the kiln itself. They
and Euan drove three times between Ichikai and Minakami in two days.

Sean also helped us, even though he had bronchitis....
When they arrived with the last load of bricks at evening, the other
kids, Sora, Canaan and Rohan, helped carry the bricks, too.
Thank you.

Euan is making pots at a friends studio in Nagano recently, so we could not move pottery things from the studio in Ichikai. We still have to bring many things from there, but it is a big step forward.

Is that a soot monster ?!

Thank you very much, Debi and Julie!

Double Fathers Day ♪

2011-06-22T08:18:00.000+09:00

It was Fathers Day on Sunday June 19th.

Our kids gave Dad lots of hugs and chocolate.
And our youngest son, Sean, gave him a special dice which he made at the preschool.
There are pictures on each surface, so when Daddy rolls the dice, if it's Daddy's face up, he can get a hug from his son, if it's a tankard, he pours Daddy a beer.

We also gave a present to my father, too.

We all had Fathers Day Dinner together.
I cooked Tekka-don with guacamole, Mushroom Miso soup, Octopus and cucumber marinade and steamed vegetables. Plus pumpkin croquette which my father bought.
It was all delicious.

To all Dads all over the world,
Happy Fathers Day !!

and thank you for everything.

Making pots in Nagano.....

2011-06-17T21:43:00.000+09:00

Euan is away from home to make pots at his friends studio in Nagano on weekdays, and comes home on weekends. After the earthquake our friend, Laura Inoue, kindly offered Euan to lend her studio and kiln. She had built the kiln which Euan designed a couple of years ago.

He is still struggling to build a studio and kiln here in Minakami, so he is borrowing her studio with great appreciation.

Some people said to Euan, he has skills and knowledge so he should to help building kilns in Mashiko.

What is most important, though, is that he can make a living from his pottery sales, so he is making pots for orders and his exhibition for his family.

We talk by Skype or telephone each night.

We all are looking forward to seeing him

on weekend.

with wine ♪

2011-05-25T15:54:00.001+09:00

It was Euan's Birthday on May 22nd.

His request for his birthday present was Shichirin and Charcoal.

We bought some Australian wine from the local supermarket so we could toast his birthday.

BBQ and wine!

It was mini Aussie style BBQ.

The kids and I made cheesecake for him.

We had it with wine, of course.

There is no progress about his studio yet....

So he feels like his feet are not on the ground.

We will try to build the studio and the kiln, and he can start to make pots again soon.

I hope that it is going to be a wonderful year for him.
Happy Birthday, Euan

Live Radio program ♪

2011-05-18T11:58:00.004+09:00

Euan is going to talk on the Radio program, NHK Chikyu radio(World radio),
on May 29th Sunday from 6:30pm for about 10minutes.

They said that we all can come and see,
so we are all going to NHK Shibuya Studio in Tokyo.
I'm very much looking forward to go and see the studio.
But the kids must be very very excited......

The program is " Chikyu Radio (World radio)" in Japanese
on NHK AM Radio 1, 5：05pm～6：50pm.

You can listen to the program in or out side of Japan on Iternet, too.
You go to the website, NHK Chikyu Radio （NHK 地球ラジオ）,
and click the button of 「放送中に番組を聞く」, then click 「聞く」button,
you can listen to live program.
If you miss the program, you still be able to listen the program just for 1 week,
there is a "Radio On Demand".
You go to the website, NHK Chikyu Radio （NHK 地球ラジオ）,
and click the 「前回の番組を聞く」button,
then click May 29th Sunday program, 6pm~ (5月29日（日）放送分の「6時台」).

If you have time, please try to listen to the program.

Decision....

2011-03-27T10:25:00.000+09:00

Because of the earthquake and the nuclear disaster, since the 15th we have evacuated to my parents home in Minakami, Gunma.

After many long discussions, we have come to a decision.

We have decided to move our family here permanently, though the option of Australia was open to us...

We were only renting the house in Tochigi, but we would have had to repair it at our own expense.The bathroom neede to be completely rebuilt. The roof, the back wall, the kiln, all needed to be rebuilt.

Many discussions at my parents home have led them to offer us a small block of land here. If we are to rebuild, then it is better if what we build should belong to us.

We have very limited funds, and so we have accepted their offer. Firstly we shall build the studio and kiln, then later, when things are more stable, we plan to build our own home.

For a while (a LONG while) we will stay with my family, and the children can start the new school year here.

I have resigned from my job.

It has been a sudden decision, and we apologise if it inconveniences anybody.

We are very grateful for the tremendous help from friends, family and neighbours. We thank you from the heart.

Leaving the place where our children were born and raised, leaving the home where we have so many friends, leaving the pottery town of Mashiko. it is with great sadness, but with hope, that we have chosen to make a new start in Minakami.

In hope of moving forward...

We hope you understand.

We will continue to do our best, and hope for your support.

Thank you.

We are OK.

2011-03-14T07:41:00.018+09:00

We are all alive and OK!!!!

Electric & Telephone lines connected 2 days ago, water is back yesterday.
We still have earthquakes and aftershock every 20 minutes, not very big now.
We are checking news about Nuclear power plant.

Bad roof damage, damaged back of house and bath room.
We have emergency water, food, shelter and wood stove for heat and cooking.

We are OK.

Mobile Phone

2011-02-27T22:52:00.000+09:00

Even in this day and age, we don't have a mobile phone.
We have decided to not have a mobile phone.

Yes, it is sometimes inconvenient.
Some people have said to us that we should have it.

Euan says,
" I don't like a mobile phone. They take control of my life, and are completely unnecessary."

We can survive quite well with a Telephone, a Fax and E-mail.

When there are inconvenient situations, I and the children send telepathy to Euan, " Call us now!!!!".
And it's strange, but he often phoned us a half hour later.

Today, a mother of my daughter's friend visited us.
They don't have a mobile phone, either.

I was very glad that it is not just us.

Even if she is inconvenienced, she thinks it is more important to learn about caring enough about a person to wait for them. Years ago her husband once waited for her for about 16 hours, when she could not get back to Tokyo from Kanazawa because of heavy snow .
The purity of their heart to care for each other so much moved me.

But, on the other hand, I watched the news about the earthquake in New Zealand. Some people contacted their family from the under the buildings. When I thought of the families concerns about their children's safety, I could not help watching the news without tears.

I, honestly, started to consider about having a mobile phone recently. But her words reminded me, it is right to live as we believe. We are living according to our own values. Every family places importance on different things.

Even in the midst of inconvenience, I choose to care for the people around me and a way of living which is not adrift to social whims.

Therefore, please understand that though may inconvenient for others, we choose not to have a mobile phone at this stage.
By all means, contact us by Phone, Fax, E-mail, Letter or telepathy if necessary.

Like Auntie Thora used to say;
"Just remember, even though I don't write to you very often, I still think of you and love you very much."

Starting work...

2011-01-12T21:29:00.000+09:00

It is not about Euan, but about myself.

I started to work at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art as a temporary worker from January 5th.

I haven't worked in an organisation for a long time. But since I married to Euan, I've helped him with all his pottery paper work, making customer addresses, sending post cards for his exhibitions, helping to design cards, taxation documents, etc.

And I think that I can learn so many things there through working for Museum.

I work from Tuesday to Saturday, so I can not work without my family's support and co-operation. I very much appreciate their help.

If you visit the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art, you might see me....

Happy New Year !

2011-01-03T09:07:00.003+09:00

Happy new year to you all.

I greatly appreciate so many people's support for us last year. It was very encouraging.
I wish much happiness to come to you this year.

It was also our 17th Wedding Anniversary on 1st January.

It is a holiday for both our Japanese and Australian family at new year, so we had the wedding on 1st January at the church in Sydney seventeen years ago.

And it's also very easy for Euan to remember the date of our anniversary, he can't forget it.

There were so many things that happened in 17 years, so many things....

The Family has grown bigger from just two people, we have four beautiful children now. Time is passing very fast....

We are all going to do our best this year also.

I will start something new this year, I will try to do my best, too.

I wish this year is going to be a very, very good for you and us. It is a brand new year just started!

Christmas Wreath ♪

2010-12-23T20:34:00.001+09:00

I made a Christmas Wreath today. I wanted to make it earlier, but I had to prepare the other Christmas stuff and other things...... At last I made it!

It took only 20 minutes to make.

I picked some branches of Holly tree from the Ichikai community center the other day, (I even asked permission....), I cut some branches of Cypress from our garden and decorated it with some pine cones and a ribbon.

It is quite good work, I think....

The school holidays will start from Christmas day this year, so my children don't have to get a day off from school for family reasons this year!! We can have Christmas dinner and spend time with family.

I wish a Merry Christmas to you all!

Christmas tree ♪

2010-12-06T11:23:00.005+09:00

We decorated the Christmas Tree this weekend.

We wrapped the colourful lights, tinsel and chains on the tree, the kids played pretend with them like big, gorgeous, golden necklaces.
And we put on lots of baubles, too. It is a wonderful time putting decorations up with the family.

The Christmas tree is planted in a pot.
When we bought this tree several years ago, it was only half my height, it is now taller than me! It is growing little by little every year.

Euan made the star on top of the tree when the kids were small.

Euan is going to fire the kiln in this week.
We have to prepare and to clean up for Christmas and New year!
We are trying to have fun preparing, little by little......

I hope you have a good time for the rest of this year 2010.

Merry Christmas.

Exhibition at EBIYA GALLERY

2010-11-18T16:05:00.008+09:00

I'd like to invite you to his 17th Annual Exhibition
at Ebiya Gallery in Nihombashi, Tokyo.

==============================================================

EUAN CRAIG CERAMICS EXHIBITION

2010.11.20.Sat.-28.Sun. 11:00am-7:00pm (Open everyday)

Opening Party; November 20th from 5:00pm,
with cuisine provided by Kappo Toyoda.

EBIYA GALLERY

3-2-18 Muro-machi, Nihonbashi,Chuoh-ku, Tokyo 103-0022
TEL. 03-3241-6543
FAX. 03-3241-1914
http://www.e-ebiya.com/category/1165681.html

He'll be at the gallery every day.
He looks forward to seeing you there.

==============================================================

Concerning Euan Craig

“My vessels first become complete the moment they are used by the hands of my guests.” These are the words which always spring from Euan’s mouth and they express his passion as a potter.

For over 17 years, since I first met Euan till this very day, this has been an unchanging quality imbued in his work.

Always full of smiles to greet you, under any circumstances, Euan is a potter with a truly gentle heart.

I cannot help but believe that it is because of this that every single vessel which is born of his hands returns a heart warming message from everyone who uses them.

Together with Euan, we have accumulated these annual exhibitions one by one. I am blessed to have shared such wonderful times with him, and I am a truly happy man.

It is simply my heartfelt hope that in times to come, 10 years, 20 years…and even 100 years hence, Euan’s vessels will continue at everyone’s side, to be loved and find treasured use, forever and always.

Masahiro Miyake

9th Generation Master of Ebiya Art Gallery,
Nihombashi, Tokyo
Purveyors in Antiquities since 1672

==============================================================

Opened!!

2010-11-17T10:08:00.000+09:00

Euan opened the kiln this morning!

I can see only the top front of the kiln.
It looks good!

But I can only show you this far!

I hope you can see his new works in his exhibition at Ebiya gallery.

Fired the Kiln!

2010-11-15T19:46:00.021+09:00

Euan fired his kiln.

He really wanted to fire the kiln once more before his exhibition, but time is ticking and he didn't want to　push himself too hard into a corner....

He had already put aside many works for this exhibition.

So he chose a variety of his best pots to pack the kiln, and fired.
It was a very relaxed firing.

Our youngest son helped his Daddy to pass the fire wood after he came home from the preschool.

At the end of the firing, a friend dropped in.
He and Euan talked about pottery a lot in front of the flame.

Our other two sons also joined to them, but didn't really help....

Euan will open the kiln the day after tomorrow,
then he'll choose his works for the exhibition.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing the results.

Pottery Festival is finished!

2010-11-11T20:43:00.002+09:00

The 5 day Mashiko Pottery Festival is finished.

Many people visited Euan's tent.
Thank you all very much.

My children and I went to there, too.
I was very happy to be able to see people who I haven't seen for a long time, and I was very glad that they were all well.

See you again next time!

There were beautiful blue skies and weather during the festival.

Euan was down to a T-shirt in the day time.

They were really beautiful days.

Euan said,
"It's a Festival!
We have to enjoy it!"
And so he did.

Now he is preparing to fire the kiln for his exhibition at EBIYA Gallery from 20th to 28th of Nov. in Tokyo, Nihonbashi.

He'll be very happy to share his new works with you there.

Mashiko Pottery Festival will start!

2010-11-02T22:33:00.000+09:00

The Autumn Mashiko Pottery Festival
will start from 3rd to7th of November.

Euan set up his tent at Tohboh Mashiyama.

The Jolly Aussie Potter is there everyday.
I'm so glad that it will be good weather during the Festival.
It is very cold and miserable on a rainy autumn day.

I will go there with the kids.

If you can make time, please drop by.

Happy Halloween ♪

2010-10-31T22:34:00.036+09:00

Euan made very nice a Jack-o-lantern.
It has a good expression!
I like that.

It is our Halloween breakfast.

I used the same mold to bake cookies with the kids.

I added allspice and ginger powder.

For lunch we had omelettes with fingers (sausages) and Bogie man's drink.

For dinner, it looks like a normal meal, but it was a salmon mousse, chicken liver pate and salmon shirako (testicles?) with Ponzu (vinegared-soy!).

Monsters loved these!!!

Werewolves, Haunted Armour, Black cats and Vampires.

The kids had lollies and enjoyed Halloween very much.

It's getting cold here....

2010-10-28T19:05:00.000+09:00

It's getting cold here.

Our Aussie potter doesn't like cold, so the fire is alight in the wood stove.

It is softly warm, and very comfortable.

Euan has tried to pace his work this year.
There are, however, several events in this autumn.

First, he taught a workshop in Tokyo the other day.
It was very successful. The participants all said that it was enjoyable, very understandable and good.

Secondly, there is the Mashiko pottery festival coming up from 3rd to 7th of Nov.
He'll set up the tent at TOHBOH MASHIYAMA.

Euan will be there everyday, selling his pots, telling jokes and enjoying the festival.
If you ask him about pottery and life,
he would tell you all sorts of things....beware....

And thirdly, he has his 17th annual exhibition at EBIYA Gallery in Nihonbashi, Tokyo from 20th to28th of Nov.

This is a special Exhibition for Euan this year, it is also a celebration for him being in Japan for 20 years.
So he is working hard for that.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing his new works.

Balance!

2010-10-18T23:47:00.001+09:00

The considerations for

the ease of holding and pouring
a Japanese tea pot ( KYUSU) are
that the angle between the handle and the spout should be 80 degrees,

and.....

balance!
(of course there are other details....)

If a tea pot can be stood on its handle, as in this photo,
we can see that the line through the handle and the spout converge at the centre of the body.

If it is not in the center, it will lose balance and not be able to stand.
This balance makes less stress when holding the tea pot and makes pouring easy.

Euan hasn't made tea pots for some time.
He has, of course, made some for left handed people too.

I think it looks very lovely when they are lined up like this.
I'm looking forward to seeing them finished.

My English Blog Begins !

2010-10-06T09:41:00.000+09:00

Welcome to my new blog.

I just started this English version of blog from my Japanese blog.

I don't like translation gadgets, they make such a mess....

So I decided to write an English blog here myself.

I hope you enjoy my post.

Thank you.

Mika

Euan Craig A Potter's Life

Mashiko Potters Recovery Exhibition

The Kiln foundation is started !!

Happy New Year

Mashiko Pottery Festival ♪

We had a Sports day every weekend last month

The exhibition finished.

Exhibition at Gallery Ciel

Birthday ♪

Surprise!

Carrying bricks

Double Fathers Day ♪

Making pots in Nagano.....

with wine ♪

Live Radio program ♪

Decision....

We are OK.

Mobile Phone

Starting work...

Happy New Year !

Christmas Wreath ♪

Christmas tree ♪

Exhibition at EBIYA GALLERY

Opened!!

Fired the Kiln!

Pottery Festival is finished!

Mashiko Pottery Festival will start!

Happy Halloween ♪

It's getting cold here....

Balance!

My English Blog Begins !

Euan Craig　 A Potter's Life