Let go that I am in control over the glaze

There I set off from Brabant at 7:30 am on my way to the Blokhuispoort, I have been there many times before, but I have never worked creatively myself. Now I can work for two Saturdays at Lies Ceramics, a RAKU WORKSHOP.

A warm welcome in a beautiful studio, where practice is particularly visible and radiant. Plenty of light and colors in a nostalgic environment of the old prison

After a short introduction to the other participants, a cup of coffee and some snacks, the “real” work begins. First of all we can make a “Touch Stone”. A nice job where small balls of clay can eventually be mixed to form a ball. It is my first introduction to ceramics, since my clay works in primary school (long time a go ;-). The clay comes in my hands and creating something is very relaxing. My ball comes up slowly and when I have taken the first step, thumb pots show up from my hands. I listen carefully and watch carefully how to work. Before I realized, it’s time for lunch at “Cafe de Bak”, how appropriate in a prison. A dark green, warmly lit room, across the studio. An open atmosphere with a tasty and very tasty lunch.

Then the afternoon starts, in which I learn how the clay roller works and I start making two deep plates in a mold. I enjoy to be with my hands in the clay all day, a sense of calmness and dynamics. I don’t know what I can do and that’s okay. Lies is there if there is a question and she gives you the confidence that you are doing well. Everything is okay: even a monkey sometimes falls out of the tree is the saying that adorns the studio (in Japanese). Everyone is busy with his own work, but also takes the time to chat or see what the other do. An unstraint atmosphere in which the “level” of everyone is no issue. This is so amazingly nice (I am from Brabant). And then it is already four o’clock, we are slowly going to put an end to the clay of our pieces. And I am very happy and a little proud that I have come that far after a first time.

In two weeks’ time we will continue, now the workpieces can dry and go into the kiln

The second Saterday, this time up less early because I already was in Leeuwarden

Everybody enters quietly and says hello. We are curious if everything is still unbroken. YES, all workpieces are waiting for each of us

Lies tells us that this morning we will glaze the workpieces. Different colors are available. She explains how to work. I think it is exciting because it is something new too but since the first time I enjoyed it so much, I am pretty confident in today’s outcome.

I wait a little, think about what color and how to work. I make up my mind on the colors and then I get started.

t is silent during this job, everybody is focussed on the work. Meanwhile, the kiln is fired up outside. After glazing, we have to prepare everything outside and each one of us gets a task.

Before lunchtime, we are done preparing and the kiln is getting warmer and warmer. We have lunch but it is not long before the main stoker tells us it is almost time. Still we can finish the lunch before the actual firing starts.

Fire, wood shavings, sawdust, wet towels, pliers, shovel, gloves with a special ingredient: horse hair. Yes, what do you have to do with that? I will not reveal that but the results are nice and especially cool, surprising and beautiful

Everybody is happy, proud of his or her results and we toast to a wonderful day at 6.15 pm. Sometimes chilly but the kiln is close by so no problem. Finally we clean up together and everybody packs his Raku-fired ceramics veeeeery carefully

This makes me want more so in September I will go once more. All I can say is this so enjoyable. So just do it.

Maud