so here we go again, another run.. the wheel spins, the clay forms, and the kiln heats up. i've gone back to making pipes, carabaos, and a different version of the bamboo. familiar forms modified. stay tuned

today, we put up the doors of the kiln. it marked the last building day, and the beginning of a new.. we put in 30 days. straight. the bricks, sun, sweat, mortar. now its done. i can now sleep, knowing i can work in the studio tomorow. put in a good days work. its been a long time. fired the gas kiln too, a kiln full of blues. tomorow i create. next week i visit thailand and cambodia. the search for potters begins!!!

4 inches of broken fire brick, mortar, and clay cover the top of both arches

the support for the main arch

the chimney!

so the main structure of the kiln is finally done, still waiting for the doors and the insulating layer of both arches. now, the true test awaits when we fire. like i said, this isnt over till we reach temperature. that is another art in itself, and i believe the firing will be between 5-7 days, i hope... thanks to allison for all her help with this project, and to those laying the bricks. theres a picture attached of the crew..

the door of the back chamber, along with stoke hole

the dragon

the key brick...

cement supports for the skews

chimney, 17 feet

the wooden supports were burned, and i was left with this

the judges

3 arches for the ashpit grate

nice to hammer down the key brick and feel the arch become one solid form, right under my feet. the power of the brick. were all just bricks in the wall...

collection box to chimney

arch of the back chamber

looking into the fire pit of the first chamber

13 inch wall

sidestokes and peeps of the first chamber

back wall between the 2 chambers

the back chamber

and into the chimney

floor of 2 chamber woodfire kiln at the foothills of mt. makiling

so, i've been doing a lot outside of the studio.. started laying bricks for this 2 chamber wood fire kiln, yes i've finally begun. also, here are some pictures of vigan, where i met a few potters and saw a large kiln. it must have been longer than a professional basketball court. have a look...

vigan potter

dragon kiln in vigan

pots after pots...

terra cotta jars

downtown vigan

its the final product, a series is finished.. or started. will see tommorow

5:30 am, with a crescent moon in the background

dew drops reflecting the sunrise

...crescent moons and sunrises, especially before the sun rises over makiling. my source of energy, inspiration, and life
the colors blend,
radiant hues of orange, blue, and white.
i try to incorporate this vision into my glaze,
through the fire and flames of my kiln,
just as the sun's heat creates these colors,
with the help of the sky and the clouds...
the road untravelled...
the colors undiscovered.
i shall combine these hues into my work,
with the help of my hands
my mind
and mother earth

to be continued...

2 types of clay, will create a swirled effect when trimmed.

the base

with this humidity, arching clay is a daily ritual...

parts of a whole, once again, keep an eye on these sections

chocolate hills, Bohol..

the base of an odd form, stay tuned..

keep an eye open, 3 becomes 1

double slanted crescent slice, hiding behind opium pipes

just started a garden, let the planting begin. with the prices of veggies these days, this is the only solution

our gallery in makiling

more...

the youngest potter

MORE TO COME...

ceramic guitar and narra slab..

crescent slice

to be assembled

so its been a while. yes a long time since i've felt the fire, getting back in the groove. if you only know what im saying.. theres only a few of you out there that do know. anyway, im back. inspired. awake to a new light that hasnt shined over here in a while.. its a good feeling, settling in after you got too many things on your mind. know what im sayin? we think of 2 years ahead, 5 years ahead.. what ive learned is that you gotta live for today.. then tomorow will follow. keep an eye out.. shardmans back!!
ps: check out basilio's on may 12, at 6pm go to exhibits/events for complete info...

cracked pot III

sliced tower

from below

birds eye...

sliced bowl

shell inspired

sliced crescent

double crescent

bowls made by the one and only... shardwoman

banaue's fish tank

the most dominant fish in the tank, notice the color. aggresive dark orange..

a natural dancer, check out the moves, 100% original.. its called "da banani"

and last but definitely not least, a tribute to the late great ninoy aquino, a martyr to not only his country, but to his vision...

fish

...back in the studio, sketching kilns, making fish, and frying

sketch for 2 chamber wood-fire kiln

been doing a lot of bisque firing, getting ready to lay some bricks, and make a kiln.. good stuff coming this way

self portrait oil 2008, unfinished..

a time for eggs.. easter sunday!!! lets take a break from all this clay talk and introduce you to my good friends pablo and jennie valdez.. and my nephew vitor... happy easter to all!
oh, but that same night, kims dog snoop ran away. but slinky came back. hmmmmm... wheres my snoopy. did he get eaten, shot, or lost.. fell in a hole? we've searched. lets hope that he returns.

lesson of the day: 1. family is very important 2. lock the gate 3. always use crayons on easter eggs, when they are cold 4. ive gotta go, drive around and look for my dog. seeeeyaaaa. till the next time..

easter sunday, kims favorite egg

bugs favorite...

shardegg

my first egg!

pv and vitor!!! haha my long lost friend

daming eggs ni vitor

my family

mixin music back in the days...

kims balloon!

collecting wood for the 2 chamber kiln.. if theres a pile, its mine!! haha

my little painter

the pies..

kims easter gift to me, a helicopter..

this guy from washington dc.. playin for coins

shardman in oil

jennie, pv, vitor, and banaue winning easter egg gifts

eggs...

on the way home! back to the mountains

28 tons of fire brick...

been very hectic at Shardman Inc., check out the action...

old school peter, mishy, and choy

the bug

split

cracked pot

carabao

a day of trimming.. the pots, the goatee, the plants.. just trim!!!

bugs' ice cream bowl

stomping..

stomp more!!! kind of like making a pizza pie

still going strong...

always gotta have time for some hoop..

pacman: a homage to manny pacquiao, the best pound for pound boxer

study for "noypi"

still trimming...

12 platters, sliced and diced. ready to serve...

reverse angle

carved vase

were comin at ya!!!

so we got a lot going on, same ol same ol.. its a good thing. heres a small series dedicated to the plate and the line. we play and see.. pieces waiting to be finished, some ready to be born

soon to be revealed at a gallery near you

phsa pit fire 2008

my piece, anagama fired 2008

lines..

2 lines.

2 slices

split slice

to be continued...

mr. & mrs. clay

phsa glazed pieces

ready to fire!!!

me and bugs

went swimming, got some new tatoos, and had a lot of fun. check it out...

andy the birthday girl

tatoo by Kazuo

my girl got one too...

with alex

looking at the moon.....

...getting ready to build a multiple chamber kiln, preparing mentally. here are a few of my new pieces and works from a friend of mine...

sliding lid box

incised box

square vase

crescent moon

my little friend

"my friend pablo" by Joe of Dumaguette, pit fired terra cotta 2007

self portrait, by the same artist, same medium, 2007

buko green glaze recipe by banaue

so its time to shift gears and dig into the science of glaze making. i dont see it as a science, its more of like a chef baking with earth, in which each ingredient has its own special characteristic or taste.. then just adjust till you get it right. my glazes are getting old, and its time to come up with some fresh shades. still working on this crysal-like buko green recipe with controlled runs and pooling, but banaue keeps messing it up...