A much-delayed blog post of what happened this Summer. Last May, me and the other students at Clay Ave Pottery Studio were invited by teacher Mia Casal on a pottery fieldtrip in Tiaong, Quezon. We visited Ugu Bigyan, renowned for his pottery, garden and awesome cooking! I've always wanted to go to his Pottery Garden ever since I've read about it in Viaje del Sol and read reviews about it in numerous blogs some years ago.
Note: Because I find this place awesome, I'm dividing it in two parts:
Part One: Pottery
This place is truly a pottery haven, the first time I set my feet on its grounds, I knew I'm gonna love it.
A section of the property is a showroom where most of the works are for sale.
There are a wide assortment to choose from! From Bowls to mugs, plates, vases etc.
Meanwhile, in another part of the studio, Kuya Raffy is making bowls. Kuya Raffy has been doing pottery for 20+ years, I believe. He makes these uniform bowls in a breeze! Amazing!
More stuff at the gallery. Notice how they intentionally deform the pieces?
Tea set! And birds all over the place. My simple joys
There's also a wood-fired kiln at the back of the studio. I don't think they're still using it.
But it's pretty amazing to think about firing: It takes hours and hours to fire pots and we take the 'paso' for granted!
After some rest, it was time for Ugu Bigyan to do a demo.
He uses an electric wheel for his works. His (wheel) is very rugged and also comes in just one speed. We can change speed with the one at the studio and it's a challenge to control, what more for this!
Ugu Bigyan in Action!
From one hump of clay, he creates several pieces! And everyone were saying their 'Ooohhs and Ahhhss'. It was fun seeing a master at work.
It's also quite relaxing to stare at the wheel turning and turning...
At the back of the studio, more pots! Three stages of clay. These bowls on wet stage, up for drying
Leather hard leaves waiting to be fired
And tumblers up for glaze
All to be fired in this gas kiln. Yey for processes!
And that's it!
Next: Part Two
