Monthly Archives: August 2015

The Doctor visits Vincent

 

 

Vincent-van-Gogh "The Church at Auvers"

“The Church at Auvers”

 

I rarely watch the “Dr Who” series but on a recent random channel flip, an episode popped up at the point where the Doctor was at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, observing a Van Gogh painting. Seeing an ominous clue in “The Church at Auvers”, he was off on a rescue mission in his time warp “Tardis” to pay Vincent a visit in the Provence in 1890, to help him fight a threatening Krafayis creature.
Amongst the usual Dr Who wackiness, a dramatic story unfolds. Prior to this I hadn’t really studied Van Gogh’s life or paintings but it turned out to be a nice introduction full of insights. See video below.

 

Quotes from this episode – 

 

The Doctor: Between you and me, in a hundred words, where do you think Van Gogh rates in the history of art?

Curator: Well… um… big question, but, to me Van Gogh is the finest painter of them all. Certainly the most popular, great painter of all time. The most beloved, his command of colour most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty. Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world, no one had ever done it before. Perhaps no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world’s greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived.

 

Vincent Van Gogh: And you see how they roar their light. Everywhere we look, the complex magic of nature blazes before our eyes.

The Doctor: I remember watching Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. Wow, what a whiner! I kept saying to him “Look, if you’re scared of heights, you shouldn’t have taken the job then”. And Picasso, what a ghastly old goat! I kept telling him, “Concentrate, Pablo. It’s one eye, either side of the face”.

 

1881-A-Girl-Raking-black-chalk,-watercolour-58-x-46-cm

 ‘A Girl Raking black chalk’  – Vincent Van Gogh

Watercolour, 1881

 

 

1882-Woman-Miners-Carrying-Coal-watercolour-&-white-on-paper

 ‘Woman Miners Carrying Coal’  –  Vincent Van Gogh

Watercolour & white on paper, 1882

 

 

 

02.-1886-Self-Portrait-with-Dark-Felt-Hat-at-the-Easel-oil-on-canvas-46.5-x-38

 ‘Self-Portrait with Dark Felt Hat at the Easel ‘ – Vincent Van Gogh

Paris, Spring 1886

“To do good work one must eat well, be well housed, have one’s fling from time to time, smoke one’s pipe, and drink one’s coffee in peace.”

 

“Love many things, for therein lies true strength
And whosoever loves much performs much
and can accomplish much,
and what is done in love is done well” 

– Van Gogh

 

1884-Avenue-of-Poplars-at-Sunset--oil-on-canvas

‘Avenue of Poplars at Sunset’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1884  Oil on canvas

 

 

 

1885-Lane-with-Poplars-near-Nuenen-oil-on-canvas

 ‘Lane with Poplars near Nuenen’  –   Vincent Van Gogh

1885 – oil on canvas

 

 

 

1885-The-Potato-Eaters-oil-on-canvas-81.5-x-114

‘The Potato Eaters’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1885  – oil on canvas 81.5 x 114.5 cm

 

 

1886-In-the-Bois-de-Boulogne-oil-on-canvas-46.4-x-36

 ‘In the Bois de Boulogne’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1886 – oil on canvas

“I experience a period of frightening clarity and in those moments when nature is so beautiful, I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.” ….Van Gogh

 

 

 

1886-Vase-with-Red-Poppies-oil-on-canvas-56-x-46

‘Vase with Red Poppies’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1886 – oil on canvas

 

 

1887-Four-Cut-Sunflowers-oil-on-canvas-60-x-100-cm

‘Four Cut Sunflowers’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1887 – oil on canvas

“….. even if it was absolutely true,
then I should like to show by my work
what such an eccentric nobody
has in his heart.

this is my ambition,
based less on resentment then on love
in spite of everything”  ….. Van Gogh

 

 

 

Wheatfield-with-Crows---Oil-On-Canvas-by-Vincent-Van-Gogh--1853-1890--Netherlands

‘Wheat Field With Crows’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1890

 

 

1887-Frtillarias-in-a-Copper-Vase-oil-on-canvas-73.5-x-60

 ‘Frtillarias in a Copper Vase’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1887 oil on canvas 73.5 x 60.5 cm

 

 

 

winter-garden-1884-Vincent-van-Gogh-(Dutch,-1853–1890),-Winter-Garden,-1883

‘Winter Garden’ –  Vincent Van Gogh

 

 

 

1888-Les-Alychamps-oil-on-canvas-Vincent Van Gogh-

 ‘Les Alychamps’  –  Vincent Van Gogh

1888   oil on canvas

92 x 73.5 cm

 

 

 

Van-Gogh Mulberry-Tree-

 ‘Mulberry Tree’  –  Vincent Van Gogh

1889 oil on canvas

 

 

Gogh_Vincent_Van_Prisoners_Exercising_after_Dore_-_Saint_Remy_1889-90__large

 ‘The Prison Courtyard’ – Saint Remy – Vincent Van Gogh

1890

 

 

 

Houses-in-Auvers-1890 Vincent Van Gogh

‘Houses in Auvers’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1890

 

 

 

The-Red-Vineyard-Van-Gogh workers in a field of red flowers

‘The Red Vineyard’  – Vincent Van Gogh

 

 

Vincent_van_Gogh_-_Landscape_from_Saint-Rémy_-_Google_Art_Project-1889

‘Landscape from Saint Rémy’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1889

 

 

Vincent-van-Gogh-The-Paintings-(Two-Poplars-on-a-Road-Through-the-Hills)-1889-

 ‘Two Poplars on a Road Through the Hills’ – Vincent van Gogh

1889

 

 

 

Olive-grove Vincent Van Gogh- Dutch

‘Olive Grove’ – Vincent Van Gogh

 

Van-Gogh-Thatched-RoofsVan-Gogh-In-1884-

‘Thatched Roofs’ – Vincent Van Gogh

1884

 

 

1889-Avenue-with-Flowering-Chestnut-Trees-oil-on-canvas-72

‘Avenue with Flowering Chestnut Trees’ – Vincent van Gogh

1889 — oil on canvas

 

 

Green-wheat-field-with-cypress-tree - Vincent Van Gogh

‘Green Wheat Field with Cypress Tree’  – Vincent van Gogh

 

 

 

Van_Gogh_Japonaiserie Flowering Plum Tree,-1887 (after_Hiroshige),

Japonaiserie –  Flowering Plum Tree – Vincent Van Gogh

1887

 

 

 

Noi Volkov ceramic Van Gogh teapot

Van Gogh teapot – Noi Volkov

 

 

 

Van_Gogh_-_la_courtisaneThe-Courtesan-or-Oiran-(after-Eisen)-by-Vincent-van-Gogh

‘La Courtisane’  – The  Courtesan or Oiran – Vincent Van Gogh

 

 

Vincent and the Doctor : 

Vincent Van Gogh visits Musée d’Orsay to see his art in 2010

3.25 minutes,  BBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arles,  1888.

Extracts from correspondence from Vincent Van Gogh to his brother Theo.

 

My dear Theo,

I already wrote to you early this morning, then I went to continue working on a painting of a sunny garden. Then I brought it back — and went out again with a blank canvas and that’s done, too. And now I feel like writing to you again.

I’ve never had such good fortune; nature here is extraordinarily beautiful. Everything and everywhere. The dome of the sky is a wonderful blue, the sun has a pale sulphur radiance, and it’s soft and charming, like the combination of celestial blues and yellows in paintings by Vermeer of Delft. I can’t paint as beautifully as that, but it absorbs me so much that I let myself go without thinking about any rule. Today I worked from 7 o’clock in the morning to 6 o’clock in the evening without moving.
Because being surrounded by colour like this is quite new to me, it excites me, extraordinarily.

My colours, my canvas, my wallet are completely exhausted today. The last painting, done with the last tubes on the last canvas, is a naturally green garden, is painted without green as such, with nothing but Prussian blue and chrome yellow. I’m beginning to feel quite different from what I was when I came here, I have no more doubts, I no longer hesitate to tackle something, and that could increase still further.

I have such luck with the house — with work — that I even dare believe that blessings won’t come singly, but that you’ll share them for your part, and have good luck too. Some time ago I read an article on Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Giotto, Botticelli; my God, what an impression that made on me, reading those people’s letters! Now Petrarch was just near here, in Avignon, and I see the same cypresses and oleanders.
I’ve tried to put something of that into one of the gardens, painted with thick impasto, lemon yellow and lemon green. Giotto touched me the most — always suffering and always full of kindness and ardour as if he were already living in a world other than this
Giotto is extraordinary, anyway, and I feel him more than the poets: Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio.

Oh my dear brother, sometimes I know quite clearly what I want in life, and in painting too. I can easily do without the dear lord. But I can’t, suffering as I do, do without something greater then myself.Which is my life, the power to create. If you can’t see the beautiful days here, you will still see the paintings.
Forever yours
Vincent

 

source http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balombini and Bollini mixed media arts

 

Over the last 20 years, two multi media artists have displayed a natural flair for interpreting a wide range of materials into captivating art. Juliana Bollini is currently located in San Paulo, Brazil, while Laura Balombini resides in North Carolina, USA. They both integrate wire into their colourful figure work and objects, Juliana favoring a combination with ceramics, papier-mâché, flowers, branches and leaves, while Laura uses polymer clays, earthenware, aged wood, fabrics and found objects.

Laura describes her art – “Artists are storytellers. In paint, song and word we tell the tale of who we are. Some narratives are born with grace and flow..some we uncover using tears and trowels. Dig, scratch, soften, pray…make art..tell it. I bring my favorite ingredients..imagery, color, longing and a desire for discovery to the studio.” Her free spirited sculpture figures carry an air of serenity, dignity and contemplation. She also paints on canvas.

For Juliana. in a similar fashion to Laura, whimsy is never far away. Her playful, sculptural narrative is revealed through a contemporary folk aesthetic, infused with botanical themes, rich colours and vibrant movement. She began using the basic technique of “Charter Pesta” (a technique used to make the Venetian masks) which she still employs. Inspiration for her art comes from her love of old circus, puppet theater, children’s stories, vintage toys and various masters of old along with contemporary artists.
She also illustrates children’s books, and not surprisingly, all her art figures look like they have stepped out of a story.

 

Laura Balombini

 

Born in Pittsburgh, Laura received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.

Website www.lbalombini.com

 

 

 

Laura Balombini mixed media art figure

Lady holding duck sculpture – Laura Balombini

 

 

 

Three ceramic busts - Laura Balombini

Laura Balombini

 

 

 

Laura Balombini canvas painting

Canvas acrylic painting – Laura Balombini

 

 

Bird-Folk by Laura Balombini - two earthenware birds with wire legs

”Bird Folk” – Laura Balombini

 

 

 

bunny-box--balombini - eramic box with a bunny head lid and carrots

‘Bunny Box’ – Laura Balombini

 

 

Dancer-in-the-DarkLaura-Balombini

“Dancer in the Dark”  – Laura Balombini

 

 

 

Laura-Balombini-wall-painting

Abstract wall painting – Laura Balombini

 

 

 

Just-Tea teapot by Laura Balombini

“Just Tea”  – Laura Balombini

 

 

Laura-Balombini-

Multi media figure sculptures – Laura Balombini

 

 

 

Laura-Balombini--Artist-at-Woolworth-Walk-Art-Gallery

Ceramic bust figures – Laura Balombini

 

 

 

Laura-Balombini--ceramic and wire teapot with clown head lid

Laura Balombini teapot

 

 

 

Laura-Balombini-working-portrait

Laura Balombini mixed media artist

 

 

might-mr-miser----Laura Balombini

“Might Mr Miser” – Laura Balombini

 

 

 

teapot-balombini

Purple teapot – Laura Balombini

 

 

 

laura-Balombini-for-curve-website

Laura Balombini

 

 

laura-balombini-wire-ceramic sculpture

Laura Balombini

 

 

 

 

Laura-Balombini----3 mixed media figurines

Mixed media art – Laura Balombini

 

 

Laura-Balombini-mix-media

Laura Balombini

 

 

 

Saatchi-Art-Artist--L-Balombini--Acrylic-2014-Painting--Pueblo-Begger-Dog-

“Pueblo Beggar Dog” acrylic painting by Laura Balombini

 

 

 

Juliana Bollini

 

Argentinian Juliana Bollini studied Visual arts at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires before relocating to San Paulo.

Website – http://julianabollini.blogspot.com.au/

Facebook

 

Juliana-Bollini-mixed media sculpture 0 man driving car

Mixed media man drives car – Juliana Bollini

 

 

Juliana- Bollini-female-figurine-475x356

Female carrying small home figurine – Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Juliana Bollini - Lady with ring of roses figurine

Lady with ring of roses – Juliana Bollini

 

 

Circus performer - Juliana Bollini

Juliana Bollini circus performer

 

 

Juliana Bollini flying space vehicle figurine

Flying atomic space vehicle – Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Trapeze artists figurines - Juliana Bollini

Trapeze artists – Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Colourful botellas by Juliana Bollini

Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Handpainted figurines-Juliana Bollini from Brazil

Painted faces – Juliana Bollini

 

 

dwebIMG_0654-e1355691629110

Long neck bust figures – Juliana Bollini

 

 

Juliana Bollini black and white portrait

 

Mixed media artist Juliana Bollini

 

 

Juliana-Bolini----

Juliana Bollini

 

 

Flickriver--juliana-bollini Sculpture of women in window

Women in window – Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Juliana Bollini figurine

Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Juliana-Bollini-bottles with images of flowers and maidens

Handpainted bottles by Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Jjuliana-bollini-s-king of hearts figurine

King of Hearts figurine – Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Flickriver--juliana-bollini-flamenco dancer figurine

Juliana Bollini dancing figurine

 

 

 

Flickriver--juliana-bollini handpainted vases

Female motif vases – Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

garrafa---Vida---Juliana Bollini

Handpainted  female redhead motif bottle – Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Julliana-Bollini...beautiful-mixed-media-sculptures..Modigliani-meets-tim-burton.-Love!

Princess head sculpture – Juliana Bollini

 

 

Juliana Bollini thre female head figures

Juliana Bollini

 

 

Vaso long neck with gold hair lady motif - Juliana Bollini

Juliana Bollini Vaso

 

 

Juliana Bollini--ceramic bust

Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

vaso-detalhe---red head lady with roses - Juliana Bollini

Red heads and roses vase – Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Flickriver--juliana-bollini-bust figures

Female sculpture busts by Juliana Bollini

 

 

 

Juliana-Bollini-dancing figurine

Juliana Bollini figurine

 

 

 

Juliana Bollini lion mask

Juliana Bollini

 

 
 

 
 

 

A teapot charm offensive  

 

Those loyal vehicles of the captivating tea beveridge are under scrutiny again for their tendency to be audacious, bold and innovative products of the unbridled imagination.  Their bemusing evolution has led to forms flowing from the incongruitive to the sublimely harmonious, which showcase unconventional shapes, imagery and clever abstractions of the clay while fulfilling a need to command attention at the table. Teapots have morphed from being functional objects for the creation of a cuppa to charming utilitarian pieces of amusement and even serious sculptural statements  As they are the centre of attention several times a day and much loved for their role in tea making, its only logical they also get utilized for artistic expression. The tea leaves must be wondering what all this grandiose presentation is about. I say all power to the humble teapot.

 

Teapots of charming and zany sublimity

   

 

Loren-Lukens ceramic teapot with abstract glaze and form in olive, mustard and green

Loren Lukens ceramic teapot

 

 

 

Michael-Hosaluk-- tri legged teapot in rusty orange with black lid and handle

Michael Hosaluk– tri legged, zigzag handle teapot

 

 

 

Flexine,-Contortionist-Sideshow-Girlesque-Series-teapot

Flexine, Contortionist Sideshow Girlesque Series teapot – Karen Porteleo

Photo Andy Titcomb-flickr

 

 

 

Yoshiro-Ikeda-teapot black/white crackle glaze over green glaze

Yoshiro Ikeda teapot

 

 

Natasha-Dikareva's-Grand-Prize-winning-teapot-'Between-East-and-West'

Natasha Dikareva teapot – ‘Between East and West’

 

 

 

Alice-in-Wonderland---Queen-of-hearts-Teapot

Queen of hearts Teapot

funteapartyideas.com

 

 

 

Michael Hosaluk teapot with amusing face

Michael Hosaluk teaware

 

 

 

John Bauman stoneware teapot pumpkin shape with curly handled lid

Pumpkin style teapot – John Bauman

Facebook

 

 

 

Teapot-Porcelain-Hand-Made-Brown-Trout-Teapot-One-of-by-MarkChuck

‘Brown Trout Teapot’ – Mark Chuck

 

 

 

Blackberry-Teapot by Kate Malone

Blackberry Teapot – Kate Malone

 

 

 

 

Boston-Tea-Shop

Teashop, Boston

 

 

_saxe_adrian_teapot-_1990_5-1_2014Brooklyn-Museum-Modernist-Benefit-Fund-1990classic-Chinese-ceramics,-which-he-enhances-by-adding-a-humorous-twist=-

Porcelain Teapot – Adrian Saxe, California

In this piece Adrian combined classic Chinese ceramics with a humorous twist

Brooklyn Museum

 

 

 

Lifeinmommatone-etsy

Dancing retro teapots in pastels

Lifeinmommatone – etsy

 

 

Contemporary-Ceramics----Teapot-Bakst-Foun---Original-Art-from-Noi-Volkov-

‘Bakst Foun’   – Earthenware teapot – Noi Volkov

Press molded earthenware, hand sculpted, hand painted, glazes, oxides, and under glazes

 

 

 

 

Crimson-Laurel-Gallery-Louis-Reilly-Tea-Pot

Louis Reilly Tea Pot

Crimson Laurel Gallery

 

 

disenio_marilyn-andrews

Marylin Andrews

 

 

 

In-Love-with-Time Laura-Balombini mixed media teapot

‘In Love with Time’ – Laura Balombini

 

 

English-Prattware-Pottery-Bear-Shaped-Teapot,-circa-1790-1800

Bear Shaped Teapot – English Prattware Pottery

circa 1790-1800

sold on 1stDibs – John Howard

 

 

 

Found on cybillceramics.com large red, white and black teapot

Cybill Ceramics

 

 

 

Goro-Suzuki teapot with abstract decoration

Goro Suzuki

 

 

 

Yoshiro-Ikeda-teapot

Yoshiro Ikeda

 

 

 

 

Teapot-by-Coreen-Abbott - large black and white striped handle red teapot with paisley decoration and chequered lid

Coreen Abbott

 

 

 

Jim-Budde---teapot with three faces

Jim Budde

 

 

 

The-reluctant-dragon-painting by Justin-Gerard

‘The Reluctant Dragon’ – Justin Gerard

 

 

 

Hope-Warmed-Over Laura-Balombini-----mixed media artist -red teapot with clown head lid

‘Hope Warmed Over’ – Laura Balombini, NY

 

 

 

John-Pripp-Onion-teapot-Denmark

‘Onion’ teapot – John Pripp, Denmark

 

 

 

 

Chris-Theiss-On-The-Bridge-Slab-and-hand-built teapot

Chris Theiss ‘On The Bridge’ multi perspective sgraffito teapot

 

 

 

Irina Zaytceva was born in Moscow, Russia. All of Irina's works are created using highfire porcelain, with overglaze as well as underglaze painting

Russian artist Irina Zaytceva

Created using highfire porcelain, with overglaze as well as underglaze painting

 

 

 

Jacques-Blin-Teapot-Violet-Tendencies

Jacques Blin, France

 

 

 

Teapot-Helene-Fielder

Helene Fielder

 

 

 

Jose-Sierra ceramic teapot in burnt orange and dark brown

Jose Sierra

 

 

 

Layl-McDill-Polymer-Clay-Sculpture-Gallery-Rooster-Teapot

Rooster Teapot  – Layl McDill – Polymer Clay

 

 

Josie Jurczenia contemporary teapot

Josie Jurczenia

 

 

 

Julia-Kirillova-by-judith-heartsong-on-Flickr

Julia Kirillova tapot

Judith Heartsong on Flickr

 

 

 

Kaete-Brittin-Shaw---Spiral-Teapot---Porcelain

Porcelain Spiral Teapot – Kaete Brittin Shaw

 

 

 

 

Barry-Gregg-Clayworks teapot with long dog leg handle

Barry Gregg Clayworks

 

 

 

 

Larry-Spears--teapot

Larry Spears

 

 

 

Laurie-Shaman crow teapot

Laurie Shaman

 

 

 

Nancy-Adams owl teapot

Nancy Adams owl teapot

 

 

 

Natalya-Sots-Focused-on-creating-other-worldly-pottery-adorned-with-kaleidoscopic-polka---

Natalya Sots

 

 

 

Porcelain maker Jeroen Bechtold - modernist teapot

 Jeroen Bechtold, Denmark

 

 

 

Roberta-Polfus deep textured teapot

Roberta Polfus

 

 

 

Scott and Naomi Schoenherr-art-studio--Laguna Beach--California

Seated Elephant teapot – Scott and Naomi Schoenherr

 Laguna Beach, California

 

 

Sally-Jaffee-tea-pot

Sally Jaffee

 

 

Sandy-Terry teapot

Sandy Terry raku teapot

 

 

 

Stone Prancer Teapot by Susan Farrar Parrish-Seth-Tice-Lewis

‘Stone Prancer Teapot’ by Susan Farrar Parrish

Photo by Seth Tice Lewis

 

 

Susan-Thayer--- “You Give Me Butterflies: Appetite” 2012

“You Give Me Butterflies: Appetite” – Susan Thayer

2012

 

 

C-_Users_StreamOfWhite_Documents_Ceramic+++_teapots2_Venus-Revisited

‘Venus Revisted’ – Sandra Zeiset Richardson

 

 

Teapot-—-Red-and-Black-by-Porntip-Sangvanich

‘Teapot–Red and Black’ by Thai artist Porntip Sangvanich now residing in California

Glazed porcelain

 

 

The-Narghile-Smoker-automaton-by-Lambert-brought-13,526-euros-(US-$17,600).-Auction-Team-Breker-image

‘The Narghile Smoker’ tea drinking automaton by Lambert

circa 1915

 

Art-Deco-tea-pot cream and gold porelain

Art Deco automobile tea pot

 

 

 

Harris Deller teapot - geometric black lines on white

Harris Deller from Brooklyn likes to make vessels that are provocative contradictions. The porcelain clay is sturdy, the abstracted forms are whimsical and the third dimension is suppressed in varying degrees.

 

 

Cynthia Aldrich China tea tifjpg

Cynthia Aldrich

 

 

hanami_yoko-miyaji wooden teapot

Yoko Miyagi

 

 

 

joellyn rock_gulfware teapot

Joellyn Rock narrative teapot

 

 

 

joellynrock_gulfware7

Joellyn Rock

 

 

 

Richard-Phethean---Oval-Teapot

Richard Phethean, UK

 

 

ripped-stoneware-teapot Elaine Pinkernell with patchwork appearance

Ripped stoneware teapot –  Elaine Pinkernell

 

 

 

Swan-with-Leda-by-the-eminently-illustrious-Roger-Michell

Swan with Leda by Roger Michell

 

 

 

Marsha-Silverman--elegant ceramic teapot in red and white

Marsha Silverman teapot

Cedar Creek Gallery, NC

 

 

Antique-Japanese-Porcelain-Hirado-Hotei-Teapot-Blue-and-White-Circa-19th-Century

Antique Japanese Porcelain Hirado Hotei Teapot

Circa 19th Century

 

 

 

Marthe-Huigens--teapo, leaves and fish painting

French artist Marthe Huigens likes to paint teapots

 

 

 

Teapot characters-(2)-of-Belle-Epoque.-Signed--Toulluc-1832.

Teapot with 2 characters of Belle Epoque -Signed Toulluc

1832.

 

 

handmade-green teapot-by-artist-Sandy-Terry

Green glaze teapot – Sandy Terry

 

 

 

Black Octopus seated on whiteteapot

Black octopus teapot

 

 

 

Jim-Connell-teapot with relief swirls

Jim Connell

 

 

 

Gail-Mackiewic teapot with many geometric patterns

‘Wide Free Form Tea Pot’  – Gail Mackiewic

 

 

 

'Spanish-Buccaneer' figurine teapot

‘Spanish Buccaneer’ figurine teapot

 

 

 

Dhokra tribal art

 

 

Dhokra-Nepal Brass figurine statue of dancing Krishna

I acquired this charming Dhokra statue of dancing Krishna from an artist selling his wares on the roadside in Kathmandu

height 12 inches

 

 

Dhokra Art

 

Dhokra is an ancient folk art tradition prevalent in India in the eastern states of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Dhokra craft objects are made through the process of non-ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique, which is one of the earliest and most advanced methods of metal casting known to human civilization. Its roots can be traced back 4500 years to the ancient city of Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley Civilization.
The name Dokra or Dhokra was used to indicate a group of craftsmen of nomadic type from the Dhokra Damar tribe, scattered over the regions of Bengal, Orisa and Madhya Pradash, whose wares were identified by their beautifully shaped and decorated metal products. The enchanting Dhokra art objects have motifs inspired by indigenous folk culture and are characterized by a primitive, instinctive style. The main hallmark of the Dokra ornamental sculptures and goods is simplicity, charming folk motifs, a rustic beauty and imaginative, intricate designs and patterns.

 

 

 

Dokra goddess figure with sun wall plaque

 

The ancient Dhokra technique

Using inspiration from their mythology, environment and simple rituals, the Dhokra sculptor makes a core model of clay from fine riverbed soil mixed with coal dust and rice husks, as this mixture brilliantly takes on the textures and shapes of the later applications of wax, resulting in a perfect inner wall of the mold. After it has dried, it is decorated with strings of wax to create fine detailing and patterns. The Dhokra artisans use a mixture of bee’s wax, resins from the tree ‘Damara Orientallis’ and nut oil to make the dough soft and malleable.

 

Mixing clay for dhokra art sculptures Photo---Parul-Bajoria

Mixing fine river bed clay with coal dust and rice husk

Photo — Parul Bajoria

 

 

The-picture-above-shows-that-the-wax-structure-(one-in-black)-is-an-exact-replica-of-the-final-metal-structure

The black wax structure (right) is an exact replica of the final brass metal owl.

 

Next in the process is the application of small amounts of a fine clay paste over the wax replica which is then dried out in the shade. This is followed by applying a thicker outer layer of a red soil and rice husk mixture, which have holes on the top for adding the molten metals. The piece is sundried and then fired in the ‘Bhatti’ (traditional kiln), where the wax melts and exits the mould. The final stage is pouring molten brass through the same holes.

 

mud-on-the-owl-On-top-of-the-wax-structure,-wet-mud-is-rubbed-all-over.-This-takes-the-impression-of-the-wax-model

Fine wet mud is applied on top of the wax sculpture to create an outer mould.. This takes the impression of the wax model.

 

 

Dhokra creation by pouring molten brass into the wax loss moulds

Creating Dhokra forms by pouring molten brass/bronze into the wax loss moulds

 

This technique of casting revolves around replacement of wax loss crevices with molten metal by the traditional hollow casting method. After cooling, the cast is then removed to be given the finishing touches of cleaning and polishing.

Folk art objects such as men and women in their daily chores, elephants, musicians, dancers, horses, temple deities, peacocks, owls, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets are popular. Although no longer nomadic, there are still clusters of Dhokra artisans in Bengal, as can be found in a small village called Bikna, just outside of Bankura town.

 

 

breaking the outer Dhokra moulds - gaatha,com

Final Dhokra procedure of breaking the outer mould before finishing touches

gaatha.com

 

 

6-dhokra-art-kushal-bhansali

Nandi Bull – Kushal Bhansali

Brass & bronze Dhokra sculpture – Kondagaon, Chhattisgarh , India

8 x 6 inches

 

Indian-Dhokra-wall-art from Brass, Nickel and Zinc

Indian Dhokra wall art

 

 

ganesha-riding-elephant-with-two-consorts-riddhi-HK46_l

Ganesha riding an elephant

 

 

 

Antique Dhokra vessel with handle

Antique tri legged Dhokra pot

Priyanka Singh, Pinterest

 

 

Dhokra metal sculpture - man sitting on a peacock

Dhokra sculpture of a man seated on a peacock

 

 

Dhokra head busts from Basta

Dhokra head sculptures from Basta, Chattishgarh

 

 

Bikna--The-Last-Dokra-Village---Flickr---Photo-Sharing-

Dhokra sculpture figurines

Bikna, India

 

 

 

Dhokra brass-lantern-Shreeya-Handicrafts

Dhokra brass lantern

Shreeya Handicrafts

 

 

Indian-Nutcracker-Brass-Horse

Indian brass nutcracker horse

( bought in an antique store in Mumbai )

 

 

Tri legged lidded Dhokra vessel with peacock lid

Peacock lidded Dhokra vessel

 

 

dhokra_lady-Dhokra---Tribal-Art-of-Odisha

Reclining female Dokra figurine

Tribal Art of Odisha

 

 

Dhokra-Art---Nandi the bull and a lion

Dhokra Art – Nandi bull and Lion

Advaita

 

 

dhokra-jewelry twin fish Pices earrings

Dhokra Pisces earrings

 

 

Dhokra-Planter

Dhokra planter with succulants

 

 

 

Dhokra-head sculpture-–-Bastar-district

Dhokra head bust

Bastar district

 

 

 

Dokra elephant

Dhokra elephant

 

 

Dhokra-Tribal-Pen-Stand - bass-nickel -zinc

Tribal Pen Stand

Bastar Arts

 

 

 

Horse-Handcrafted-Bastar-Dhokra-Tribe-India

Handcrafted Dhokra horse

Bastar Tribe, India

 

 

3 men riding a Dhokra horse

Dhokra Art – Three men riding a horse

 

 

 

Dhokra-Queen head bust

Dhokra Queen

Culture Art Group

 

 

 

 

Dhokra art sculptures Advaita

Dhokra tribal art

Advaita

 

 

Lakshmi Saraswati and Ganesha-Dhokra statues

Saraswati, Ganesh and Lakshmi Dhokra statues

 

 

 

Pechak-Pedi---Owl-Coffer---RoadsWellTraveled---Sithulia-community-of-Orissa's-Dhenkanal-district

Pechak Pedi Owl Coffer  – Sithulia community of Orissa’s Dhenkanal district

RoadsWellTraveled

 

Gifts---Products---Advaita---Dhokra-lantern

Dhokra lantern and incense censer

Advaita

 

 

 

Pedi---Oval Coffer---RoadsWellTraveled

Oval lidded vessel  – Pechak Pedi

Sithulia community of Orissa’s Dhenkanal district

RoadsWellTraveled

 

 

 

The-Tribal-Art-Of-Dokra-Craft---Flickr---Pallab-Seth-Artisan-pasting-clay-over-the-(black)-wax-replica

Dhokra artisan pasting clay over wax model

Flickr—Pallab Seth

 

 

 

Three-Men-Rowing-a-Mayurpankhi-Boat

Three Men Rowing a Mayurpankhi Boat in Dhokra style

 

 

 

Tribal Lady - Sculpture Dhokra Art

Dhokra tribal mask

 

 

Brass-with-Stone-Work---Ganesh-Sitting

A seated brass Ganesha with mosaic stones

 

 

Dhokra Horse-with-Wings

Horse with Wings