Finally January 2021

WOW what a year of 2020 was and 2021 started with a bang as well. The Covid19 pandemic still rages and new virus variants jitter health care professionals, scientists and the general public. We are in for a long ride and although vaccination will certainly make an impact, I am really worried about the next few months. America also experienced a deep jolt on January 6, and I fear that the reverberations from that troubling event will last a long time as well. More than ever, one needs to try to be grounded with both feet firmly planted. The current times are certainly trying.

I have been holed up at home. I have not gone anywhere and have not visited anybody. I often think about my friends in Kasama. It has been more than a year since my last visit. Kasama too has a few cases and I know that my friends who normally meet at Okudasan’s studio for a cup of tea are not getting together because of the virus. The social disruption is deep, but we all have to try to do our best and get through this.

I have been busy making pots. They have accumulated in my studio and my house, even outside. I cannot have an in-person sale and my new website is still young. Sales of pieces are very sporadic. Once in a while I place a couple of pots down at my street. They are generally picked up withing less than 15min. I guess some people like them. I am happy that someone has a piece of mine in his/her home. Making a contribution to someone’s life.

Studio work has progressed. I feel that I made technical and artistic progress. My skills have improved. It is still a long way to go. My decorative pieces have evolved into new shapes. They have become more open forms, while others have assumed a more modern look. I am not exactly sure what triggered the move into this direction. I started to explore the unfilled space within a piece and I am drawn to the voluminous shape with a wide mouth. I wish I could fire them in a my anagama wood fire kiln in Kasama. One day I know I will. I hope in 2021!