Mishima Cup #393

Celadon is one of my favorite glazes because its watery depth reveals textured clay surfaces.  This kind of texture is created by marking the  slab with rolling stamps I carved before forming the cup.  The little images that stand proud of the surface come from sprig stamps I’ve made.

The little vignette allows me to  insert a mishima drawing. Mishima is a surface design technique of drawing lines incised in leather-hard clay then overlaying a slip of contrasting color and carefully scraping the slip away to leave the color only in the lines. Here’s a video. This method gives me a chance to draw on my pots with a sensitivity very different from brush work.  Brushes are quick and loose.  Mishima is a draftsman’s labor of love.

This cup is about 4 1/2 inches high and will hold at least 16 oz. Hand built stoneware fired to cone six for durability and beautiful depth in the glazing. Each cup is individually made and decorated, dishwasher safe, food safe, lead free. I’ve been using my cups in the microwave for years with no problems.