Dragon Jar from Borneo.

Michael in May 2010.

We wish everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas!

Cool Blue.The Studio Dec.2009.A selection of bowls by Michael.2 artists.see w.w.w. lotuslandream blog also.

Michael's exhibition at the Sunshine Coast University on Thursday night, 24th September 2009. Some lovely work by 3 potters and 1 painter. Dawn seen here giving the opening speech with paintings by Liz Duguid in background. In foreground are some lovely lustre pots by Bob Connery.




Michael will be showing some pots at the Sunshine Coast University Gallery in September 2009 along with James Lamar Peterson and Bob Connery, and painter Liz Duguid.www.usc.edu.au/gallery A recent trip to Moreton Island produced this great image of the Glasshouse Mountains as probably viewed by Captain Cook. Image by Allan Marks.



Janet Conrad's dry landscape design using Michael's pots, photographed in the very wet winter of June 2009.
This is a collection of work Janet has made over many years.
Claudia's Angel sleeping beside the lake.

A wonderful collection of old Chinese Export Plates.
Michael is busy working on pots for two exhibitions in October. This gorgeous blossom jar is one new arrival.
Ian Fairweather This painting of Ian Fairweather was created by Geoff King , by mouth, after a diving accident left Geoff in a wheel chair. I am the lucky owner and have always cherished it. A new film on Ian Fairweather called FAIRWEATHER MAN has been made by Aviva Zeigler for the ABC and will be shown on television in July. Michael and I were lucky enough to see it on the big screen at GOMA and it was amazing to see the paintings blown up and interposed with mangroves etc. Made with very little original footage, calls have gone out to find the original ABC film made in the sixties. There are also whispers about a new book being written including original letters and journals obtained from Ian's Family. Was only thinking recently how Ian would have reacted to Emily's amazing work.





These amazing images of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese were taken in New Mexico this year by Francis, the Bird Lady.

The postcards from the Cambodian Children's Painting Project have arrived and are for sale for $1.00 each. This project helps street children to get education, health care, food and painting materials . See www.artcambodia.org The ultimate aim is to build sustainable houses and schools etc. and all the proceeds go straight back to this worthwhile project in a country still recovering from it's devastating past history. See more images on the childrens paintings gallery and email us at lotusland@bigpond.com for sales and info. Felix Brookes-Church will be coming to Australia with an exhibition of works in August to October. We will keep you informed about venues. Thank you Wendy for your help. There will be an exhibition of works by the Khmer children coming to Australia in October. We will post dates and venues later on. Take a look

Old Pots Asia
Michael's ceramics in Melbourne kitchen.
Bamboo Tea Pot
A little Blue bird pot Safron's little daughter, Ginger. Saffron's white - patchwork quilts.
Beautiful scented Cempaka (Michellia odoratum) after rain flowering.
The month of January is indebted to the Roman God Janus for it's name. Traditionally it looks both ways.At the year past and the year to come and acts as the doorway for both. This pot has two faces and is called JANUS. This January 2009 has been a big eventful month in world history with many changes occuring which will effect our coming year. Hopefully we humans can endeavour to turn around some of the suffering for all sentient beings and stop killing and maiming and start helping and nuturing life on this amazing planet. Each little one must try so joy can reign and peace flourish. Lets hope for insight and action. The rains are in from the North and we have been experiencing some good downpours. The trees and plants are growing as you look at them and Buderim is looking spectacular with the Flamboyant Poincianas in full flower and giving shade to paths and roads. In the bush fungi are starting to grow, turkeys are nesting and reptillian visitors appear at the front door. At night flying foxes and possums fight over mangos and bananas that have not been covered. The bamboos are shooting and we are enjoying fresh shoots and also fresh ginger roots. I feel I cannot let pass the death on the 29th January. of an amazing musician and songwriter, JOHN MARTYN. When we lived in London in the sixties we haunted a small folk club called Les Cousins in Soho and John used to turn up with his curly halo of hair and amaze us all with his energy and creativity on the guitar. He died at only 60 years after a full-on life minus his leg in the last six. His album SOLID AIR is listed amongst the best recordings ever made (No. 36) The amount of soul and spirit he put into his songs still gives me goose bumps and we feel blessed to have known him. May he find peace in his Bardo.
The Blue Potter works from early light till dark in his studio, enjoying each passing day with the studio cleaner, Mr Water Dragon looking after insect cleanups. Michael is amazing in his locomotion and never stops producing. .His love of music and fresh air are his great joys as he creates and fires the soft clay to produce his varied ceramics. The little FRANGIPANI dishes are a great success and bring those few precious flowers into the bathroom or bedroom or living area to be enjoyed.. He reflects and studies the Khmer and South East Asian ceramic tradition he has come into contact with and works towards his next exhibition at Maleny Artworks in February.

Amazing paintings created by participants of the Bali Street Children Project. www.ykpa.org

Mudjimba Island...early Christmas Day.
lotus Morning
Michael is back from his travels in Cambodia. He had a very exhilarating experience visiting the Khmer potters and meeting up with ceramicists from around the world. Of course the ancient monuments of Angkor were quite spectacular. Two of the lidded jars he makes now reside in a permanent exhibition in the Khmer Ceramic Revival Centre. Thank you to Serge and all the other participants who made this short time so memorable. It would be great if Australia could host some potters in the future.

Thank you JEREMY; STEPHEN AND SIMON in Seminyak, BALI for your hospitality and terrific food. Saffron is busy designing a wonderful range of clothes for under fives in gorgeous silks and cottons. It was so nice going to sleep with the Gamelan playing in the Pura and the ocean keeping the universal beat. Bali as always is full of sweet, polite and welcoming people though the street surface is a little hard to negotiate. It is amazing to see all the stone carving, tree growing (warringen) earth shrines and the general high asthetic flavour of the enviroment. Unfortunately plastic is also a big problem on the beaches...lets return to green coconuts and banana leaves!
Marine blue Jar
As the sun slowly rises the perfumed garden reveals it's secrets. Yellow cempaka, frangipani, gardenias, magnolia grandiflora, quis qualis, stephanotis, mock orange. native viburnum, small leafed terminalia. all spice;. white and pink daturas; all mixing with the damp earth to produce an enchanting smell. Again humidity builds through the day, frog rocks the painting with his throaty calls for a mate or rain. Listening to Geofrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's wonderful music and thinking what it must be like living in the top of Australia and waiting for the monsoon.
Celedon flower Jar
Mid November and it has been a busy time of potting, creating new designs, trying to finish mulching and weeding and mowing in the garden, before Michael and Janey depart for the tropics. Michael is participating in the Khmer Ceramic Revival Conference in Siem Reap and is so excited to be going on this journey to Cambodia. This is the second year it has happened with ceramicists from all over the world coming to give their help and enthusiam to the people of this magical ceramic Khmer tradition which suffered such damage during the horror years of Pol Pot and the war. Serge Rega is the energy behind the project and though we have never met, his wonderfully friendly vibes come bouncing through the emails. Sadly Roxanna Brown, the renowned scholar and author of South-East Asian Ceramics will not be in Cambodia this year after her untimely death in May , about which many questions remain. The white lotus is flowering in the studio pond and Michael has picked some to place in the newly created jar/bowl. Our friend John Anderson will be in residence while we are away until 20th December. Just heard on Radio National that Miriam Makeba is now singing with the spirits up top. WOW! What a joyous experience to have been born in her time. Thank you Miriam! The sky is crying.
NAMESTE!
Michael is producing some beautiful porcelain bowls and the kiln is giving us gifts. He has decided to try and use Walkers porcelain clay for all the bowls and teabowls, mugs, the smaller ware. It has been very trying, working at the wheel with an onslaught of biting marshflies and midges. Michael has invented his own mix of natural oils to keep them at bay and enjoys lighting some sandalwood incense to smoke the studio. The Shakuhachi Festival in Sydney has allowed us to enjoy some wonderful recordings of masters from Japan and Australia and a performance of Ann Boyd's exquisite piece for harp and shakuhachi ' A feather on the breath of God'. These are available on the Radio National website. Listen Our Magnolia grandiflora trees are starting to bloom and add a piquant lemon scent to the morning air. Last few nights have heard koalas in the nearby trees making their motorbike engine sounds. Richmond Birdwings are zooming around and the Euodia trees are flowering. Lotus leaves are growing bigger and bigger and we await the flowers.
Although born in the mud Not stained by it Blooming after being washed by pure water Sacred flower of heaven. By Toshiro Kawase. First blooming in the Western Paradise, the lotus has delighted us for ages. It's white petals are covered in dew, It's jade green leaves spread out over the pond, And it's fragrance perfumes the wind. Cool and majestic, it raised from the murky water. The sun sets behind the mountains But I remain in the darkness, too captivated to leave. By Ryokan.

Wandering around early this morning was amazed at the freshness of the lotus ponds. They are full of wonderful new leaves and runners with succulent tubers attached. Looks like it will be a wonderful season for all lotus lovers, ducks, bees and little green frogs. It is always a time of great excitment wondering which lotus will flower first, and which have survived the gastronomy of the wild ducks. October is the perfumed blossom month for the Lotusland garden, All the jasmines and gardenias, Yesterday, today and tomorrow, daturas of all shades. Tomorrrow we un- pack the first pots made in colaboration with two people, Michael and Janey. Should be interesting. Will keep blog posted. We are so fortunate to live here and take this opportunity to thank all the people who buy our pots and paintings, and make it possible to continue helping to preserve this beautiful forested valley. Mother possum has given birth to a new baby this week and will probably introduce him to our lovely bananas and papayas. Honeyeaters are twirling in pairs of a courtship dance whilst early nesters already have noisey babys calling after them. Black cockatoos have found some juicey termites in a eucalypt and the water dragons are patrolling the pottery floor ready to gobble up those annoying marshflies. These months are divine!
Time keeps on moving and here we are in October. Michael has been working with some lovely men producing 3d tiles for their new pathway at Toralba House. Their gentleness and soft quality has inspired him The last batch has just come out of the kiln and they look great, Heather picked them up and the next step is installation. Will post a photo when finished. In the garden the Jade vine (Stronglydon macrobotrys) is flowering and there is great expectation amongst the fans. North Queensland residents probably have lots out already. Light rain has fallen to relieve the dry. Enjoyed reading Robert Gray's new book based on growing up on the north coast of N.S.W. Lots to recall and it must have been a big job to get it all out. His poetry is terrific also. Michael is producing a line of specific flower containers and these should be out by end of the month. They include frangipani, cempaka and gardenia compatible shapes.
SEPTEMBER ISLAND. In the evening the intimate sound of the breeze clacking and shooshing in the trees. The windows filmy with salt and sand making inside feel cosy and warm. Then to walk out the door down the track to the beach The wind picking up. The coconut palms flailing and blowing. Looking at the beach half expecting some strange craft to be pulling in. The tide lapping up with little sweeps of waves, sand glistening. The gap between Turtle island revealing a moon slowly rising. Dancing light, dancing heart. Flinging oneself on the silky sand and then running into the velvet water. OOOh the sensation is too much. You burst out laughing!
A rock-pool is a universe of life forms, salty and mossy. Little crabs scuffling under rocks and shells slowly working their way through the algae before the next full tide. The rich world of mangroves is the nursery for fish and many sea creatures. Let's keep them pristine! This is the time of King orchids blooming in rocky crevices and nutmeg pidgeons arriving in the outer islands. Spring tides and fish coming into the bays. An exciting movement in the cosmic calendar,
Sweet September Spring has been busy shooting new leaves and baby birds and jasmin blossom and is already fast approaching it's finale. Michael has been busy potting and trying to find the right clay as supplies suddenly seem scarce. Fusions new gallery space is completed and next month will open with an exhibition curated by Janet Mansfield. Congratulation to Stephanie and all the hard workers on the fruiton of this mamoth task. Happy Birthday to our wonderful Libran potter.....long may he fire! Anyone who is interested in Cassowarys will enjoy the internet site www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/december2004 This magnificent bird is now finding it difficult to surviive with the loss of habitat and roads intersecting it's territory. Cassowarys are the gardeners of the forest, digesting and spreading seeds which sprout in new ground far from the parent plant. The father Cassowary sits on the beautiful turquoise eggs for 50 days and after hatching may care for the babies from 9 to 18 months. He carefully teaches the chicks to find seeds and small invertibrates much like the elephants teach their offspring the seasonal water holes and food sites. Mother Cassowary meanwhile, has been busy finding new mates and laying more eggs before the breeding season(October) finishes. Cassowarys are one of our great treasures in Australia and we should all support conservancy of rainforest habitat.
It is always interesting to think of the many versions of fatherhood. For seahorses the father takes the main role. How lucky a child is to have a father involved with love in his life and upbringing. Today is a beautiful Spring morning. Jasmine is flowering and the early scents fill the garden as the birds pronounce the dawn. Michael is working on a new version of an oil burner/infuser. A potter is always in touch with his studio checking drying of pots and covering greenware. He has once again been delving into the life of Kenzan (1st). Shelley has been in Sydney and managed to see the wonderful Chinese Buddhas on exhibition there. They were recently excavated and Shelley found them exquisitely serene. Utopia Gallery kindly sent me a catalogue of the latest exhibition of Marea Gazzard. at 80 producing sculpture. Exhibition called Thallassa. My old Master Milton Moon also is showing some terrific ceramics at Christine Abrahams in Melbourne. These octogenerians are truly living treasures! Long may they shine!
Recent painting by Jasmin.
Jade Vine closeup.
Blue Ginger flower.
Buderim garden landscape. Janey.
Wild lupins in Alaska. Photo by Frances.
Migrating bird resting in Alaska by Frances.
Old Chinese Ginger Jar.
Icebergs in Alaska by Frances. 2008.
Amazing colours of iceberg. By Frances 2008. Recently a friend Frances, was in Alaska and sent us these images of icebergs, lupins and a gorgeous coloured bird. The turquoice is another favourite colour Michael enjoys using as a glaze. It reminds him of the Great Barrier Reef, the oceans of the world and many other treasures (glass, turquoise from Arizona and Tibet, seeds from the giant Stretlitzia, copper left by the ocean). It seems to mix blue and green, colours of peace and harmony.
Today is 25th August and sun shines , birds sing and potters turn their bowls and plates ready for the next cycle of firing. This is an octopus bowl made by Shelley when she first started potting with her father, Michael. Thinking about this design makes me think about how this twirly whirly creature has inspired artists and designers over endless time, from the Grecian urns, the Japanese block print artists (Dream of the Fisherman,s Wife) through to the textile artists and modern potters. Imagine being in the blue Mediterrean and pulling up the terracota urns where Octopii hide when they are dropped overboard.(the pots). Blue is such a vital colour. We are the Blue Planet. In the bush now are little blue sun orchids and deeper purple Hovea. Soon the purple/blue Jacaranda will flower and streets of many towns will be coated in gorgeous blossoms which shower the footpaths transforming them into magic carpets. Cobalt is the mineral potters use to produce rich blue on their pots. In China it was much revered and was always in good supply. Hence all sorts of ware from pieces for the Emperor to domestic everyday bowls used the blues. Everyones favourite, the blue blue skies. Blue waterlillies, blue berries, ocean blue. indigo fabrics. Blue is a part of our heritage. Viva La Blue!
Today is a magic day .....8th day of the 8th month of 2008. A day for magicians. Here is one of Michael's ceramic tile panels which he created at Jenggala Studio in Bali. His favourite theme of bamboo and full moon. Soon Michael hopes to have an exhibition showing all 19 pieces. Turquoise and quandong glaze with rutile and cobalt brushwork.
On a winter's day in July, Michael is in his studio creating a new firing. Today he is throwing large bowls and platters and watching a family of honeyeaters in the Erithrina Tree. Fruit eaters are enjoying the little figs on the Bodhi Tree. Upstairs in the house, his grandchildren are busily building eiderdown cubbies and sneaking spoons of creamed honey and curling up with a pile of books after a visit to the library. Potting in winter in an open studio is challenging and a few hot cups of tea help keep ones mind on the job. A visit to the Picasso exhibition on Friday was stimulating with a look at the new contemporary section of the Qld. Art Gallery also a pleasure. As always the work of indigenous artists is thrilling and uplifting.
Wednesday and the rain has ceased and the warm sun is shining and Shelley and I are working on getting this website operational. Looking at the wonderful tile panels which have arrived from Bali. They are the result of the artist-in- residence stay at Jenggala. Such great colours! will post them on the blog soon. Michael glazing and firing one of the kilns. Red Holiday heliconias blazing in the garden. Plants all happy to soak in the sun.
The end of July is fast approaching and the heavens have let down all the rain they can find. Friends from North Queensland arrive with gifts of jack-fruit and tropical coffee beans. We dream of warm tropical winters as the temperature in the pottery studio descends. Fortunately this is the season when the warmth of the kiln is much appreciated. Grand-daughter Chloe on a visit from Bali has been busy making little sculptures and bowls and curling up with library books on the sofa near the fireplace. Too cold and wet to beach-walk though we managed a family lunch at the Baked Poetry Cafe in Peregian yesterday. Ginger clomping about in yellow gumboots and desperate to strip all her clothes off. Michael throwing some huge water-bowls. Lots of drawing and cooking.

Warm sunshine and the cerise Dombeya is covered in flowers and bees are drinking the nectar creating a happy buzzing murmur. The rites of Spring are stirring in the creatures of Mother Earth. The wonderful Glasshouse Mountains have been polished by rain and are shining in the clear winter light. We are looking forward to Lawrence Daw's exhibition in Brisbane at Philip Bacon's gallery. His (Lawrence's) iconic images of these ancient volcanic cones are very special. Visiting the Sunshine Coast Uni. Gallery yesterday we saw some interesting construcion/paintings using old tanks and malthoid. The colours were very mineraly and salt pan / Coorong coloured. I have been storing an old tank behind the shed with the idea of using the great iron dots in a construct. Feel inspired to continue. Michael having a burst of creativity and sharing a sun spot on a rock with a charcoal snake (maybe a keel-back). Lotus ponds full of old wrinkled leaves with a stirring of green poking under the surface. This is a fun time of the year!