I’ve always loved to draw. When I first started painting ceramics, I used a brush, carefully distributing glaze with each stroke. It was time consuming and tedious, as the darker I wanted it to be, the more layers I would have to add.
One day a friend introduced me to a glaze applicator with a pin tip. It allowed me to “draw“ on the pieces more efficiently by gently squeezing the glaze from the bottle, forcing it out like a fountain pen.
The quiet focus it required was so meditative, — I was hooked. From the beginning, I knew hand-painting would be at the heart of my work.
It’s a process that demands patience, attention, and a willingness to embrace imperfection- and that’s exactly why I love it. Nothing is perfect. Every now and then a blob of glaze comes out. Initially, I was disappointed as the anticipated plan of design was now interrupted by this “imperfection“. However, that blob then became a solid space/ background and led to a new series of design possibilities.
With hand painting, I rely on my intuition. There’s no stencil, no duplication, no shortcut. Every piece is a one-of-a-kind — not just in shape and glaze, but in the artwork itself. Even repeated motifs, like a leaf or flower, never turn out exactly the same. That’s the beauty of it. I’m not limited to a template. I can follow a mood, try a new shape, leave a lot or a little white space. It keeps my work feeling alive and evolving.
The process is a quiet conversation between me and the piece. It’s where the personality of the ceramic comes out. Just like in life, I find a rhythm, some balance, and focus on being present.