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Pinky & Maurice

Contemporary Ceramics

July 31, 2016 by Claire Atkins Leave a Comment

Straylia…Unearth Your Local Potter!

On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August, more than 140 ceramic studios around Australia will open for the fourth annual Australian Ceramics Open Studios.

I’m opening my studio and I.CANNOT.WAIT to meet you all! I’m also SUPER excited to say that Vicki Grima is joining me in the studio to host two workshops and to present an artist talk!

In ceramic circles the world over, Vicki Grima needs no introduction, and I can see her cringe as I say this…but, she’s kind of a big deal. 😉

[Read more…]

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: australian ceramics, Australian Ceramics Association, australian ceramics open studios, Ceramics, North Coast Mud Trail, pinky and maurice, pottery, unearth your local potter, Vicki Grima, workhsops

June 17, 2016 by Claire Atkins Leave a Comment

Australian Ceramics Open Studios 2016!

Hundreds of potters around Australia are gearing up for the fourth annual Australian Ceramics Open Studios (ACOS) on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August, 10am – 4pm.

Get all fired up in workshops, see demonstrations, be inspired by artist talks, and purchase original ceramics from potters in suburban backyards, inner city co-operatives and rambling rural settings across the nation!

Check out all the Pinky & Maurice open studio action in the workshop program below.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: australian ceramics open studios

April 22, 2016 by Claire Atkins Leave a Comment

Part II – Mai kumhari hu : I am a potter

For ten days in February 2016 I travelled through India to meet traditional Rajasthani potters with a small group of clay enthusiasts led by Australian potter Sandra Bowkett.

At the end of our tour, on the Yamana River between the Holy City Vrindavan and Delhi, Sandra asked me if I missed anything back home. Her words, and the adventure she led us on inspired the short story below.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: Ceramics, Claire Atkins, crosshatched123, Delhi, I am a potter, India, inspiration, Mai kumhari hu, pinky and maurice, potter, pottery, Rajasthan, Sandra Bowkett, story, travel

March 14, 2016 by Claire Atkins 8 Comments

Mai kumhari hu : I am a potter

My story begins at the end of my tale as I’m settling into my seat on flight SQ403 from Delhi to Singapore.

It’s almost 10pm at night and the plane is packed, but for the first time in over two weeks of travel through Rajasthan with a group of potters, I feel like I’m on my own.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: creativity, crosshatched123, Delhi, I am a potter, India, inspiration, Mai kumhari hu, matka, Old Delhi, pinky and maurice, pots, potter, pottery, Rajasthan, story, travel

March 1, 2016 by Claire Atkins 12 Comments

Forget passion, follow your curiosity – Conjuring Big Magic & Exploding Chickens

Last year, I was listening to Richard Fidler and author Elizabeth Gilbert on the Conversation Hour, and my ears pricked up because of how she spoke about the nature of creativity, and in particular how she talked about the cultivation of curiosity rather than preach a sermon on following your dreams.

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[Read more…]

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: big magic, Ceramics, Claire Atkins, creativity, curiosity, Elizabeth Gilbert, exploding chickens, passion, pinky and maurice, pottery, Richard Fidler, The Conversation Hour, Tristan Bancks

January 11, 2016 by Claire Atkins Leave a Comment

Sweet New Year Sale at Sugarmill Studio!

Helloooo! It’s a new year, and I’m trying to get excited about getting back to work after the holidays, but the weather is too good, and I’ve become obsessed with stand-up paddle-boarding and reading. Sometimes together. I’m thinking of going pro 😉

I have very limited experience as a reading-stand-up paddle-boarder. A few hours experience to be precise. So when artists like me are fantasising about making irrational career choices like this – as if being an artist isn’t silly enough – it’s a good idea to clean up and have a studio sale! [Read more…]

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: Blu Byron, Ceramics, Gallery, illustrations, illustrator, Jo Olive, Karin Hall, Letterpress, Murwillumbah, new year sale, Olive and The Volcano, pinky and maurice, porcelain, sale, studio sale, Sugarmill Studio, Tamsin Ainslie

November 19, 2015 by Claire Atkins Leave a Comment

All Fired Up!

I’m all fired up about the inspiring schedule Hillary Kane has created for the culinary clay workshop, ‘Food Meets Plate’, happening May 15 – 28 at Gaya Ceramic Art Centre, in Bali!

Places have been quickly snapped up by a diverse group of foodies and clay enthusiasts from around the globe. There is ONE place remaining in this workshop.

If you would like to join us, click here for workshop fees and secure your place. [Read more…]

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: 14 days, Bali, Ceramics, Claire Atkins, creativity, Food Meets Plate, Gaya, Gaya Ceramic Art Centre, HIllary Kane, pinky and maurice, pottery, travel, workshop

October 13, 2015 by Claire Atkins 2 Comments

Island Idyll

For centuries, islands have captured our imaginations, they are magical places inhabited by mermaids, pirates, fairies, and more recently – much to the delight of my two sons – they are the petri dish of mad geneticists and their dinosaurs!

For many years, I lived on an island north of Sydney. Island living is every bit as idyllic as you imagine. However, I discovered that it was not just the physical beauty of the island that inspired me, but equally it was the challenges we each faced, that inspired creative thinking and helped shape a diverse, vibrant, and resilient community.

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Today’s post is the final in my Bali series, and I’m talking to Janet DeNeefe, long time islander, internationally renowned restaurateur, writer, festival director and, one time student of ceramics 😉  [Read more…]

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: Bali, Ceramics, chef, cook, creativity, cuisine, Food Festival, Food Meets Plate, Gaya Ceramic Arts Centre, island, island living, Janet De Neefe, pinky and maurice, pottery, travel, Ubud, workshop

October 6, 2015 by Claire Atkins Leave a Comment

Spice Up Your Art Life!

In May 2016, I’m leading a group to be part of an inspiring workshop ‘Food Meets Plate’, at Gaya Ceramic Arts Centre in Ubud, Bali.

Hosted by American potter Hillary Kane, it will be a South East Asian odyssey for clay lovers and food enthusiasts, that is set to enliven your senses and spice up your creative practice! 

If you’re just tuning in, catch up on my conversations with our workshop host Hillary Kane, here, and with Bruce McWhinney, Australian potter and the creator of our inspiring Ubud accommodation here. 

Today I caught up with ceramic artist Vicki Grima, who has attended three workshops at Gaya!

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Vicki Grima is a tour-de force, and for the last ten years she has managed to squeeze her ceramics practice between demanding positions as Editor of The Journal of Australian Ceramics and Executive Officer of The Australian Ceramics Association. 

In these roles she shines a bright spotlight on the diversity of contemporary Australian ceramics and shares it with a global audience daily. She says however, the occasions are rare when she can spend time in her peaceful Sydney studio, so you can imagine, that going on retreat and filling up the creative well is an important part of Vicki’s calendar. 

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‘…my times in Bali have been an indulgence in what I love most – to sit with a ball of clay ; no rush, no pressure, just me and the clay…’ Vicki Grima

Claire Atkins: Thank you for joining me here Vicki!

Recently I’ve been speaking with artists on the blog about the workshop ‘Food Meets Plate’ at Gaya Ceramic Arts Centre, and for each artist, travel impacts in various ways on their creativity. In what ways does travel affect you creatively?

Vicki Grima: Travel brings new colours, textures, smells and tastes into my world… an abrupt disruption to my normal day-to-day pattern. I love visiting new places and seeing how lives are lived on a daily basis – how people shop, cook, and move in their landscape. Architecture too is a fascination for me.

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‘The workshops at Gaya are about exploring the unknown, being creative and learning new skills…’ Vicki Grima

You have been to three workshops at Gaya! What is it that keeps calling you back?

My first visit to Bali and Gaya Ceramic Art Centre came through an invitation from Gaya CAC for me to gather a group of potters together. I had never been to Bali, so it was a perfect opportunity for me personally to explore a new place.

I recall choosing the ‘Culinary Clay’ workshop as I thought there could be no better way to immerse myself in Bali than to explore two of my passions – clay and food – in this place I had heard so much about.

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Between visiting the local food markets at dawn, to joining local families in their home kitchens, and tasting food that was cooked using a wide array of spices and herbs new to us, we also made pots inspired by the fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.

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It was a vibrant, diverse and exciting experience, so much so that I have returned twice more. My second and third trips were to explore woodfiring, another of Gaya CAC’s creative offerings.

My own ceramics practice of making small pinch pots has been enhanced by workshops at Gaya. It allowed me to use different clay bodies and fire with local timbers in an anagama kiln, whilst also being inspired by the multitude of rich patterns and textures in the surrounding landscape.

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I have a busy job as editor of The Journal of Australian Ceramics, and it means my studio practice has suffered, so my times in Bali have been an indulgence in what I love most – to sit with a ball of clay; no rush, no pressure, just me and the clay. The people, the food, the culture and the landscapes are unique and I love it.

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Gaya’s May 2016 workshop, ‘Food Meets Plate’ focuses on the relationship between food and handmade ceramics. ‘Culinary Clay’ shared a similar focus, from that experience, who do you think would suit this workshop?

The workshop is suited to those with a passion for food and clay, together with an inquisitiveness to explore the connections between the two.

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The knowledgeable team at Gaya cater for all levels of ceramics experience from beginners to more advanced in a gorgeous handbuilt workshop space. With a local cook preparing the daily lunches the immersion in clay and food is complete in every sense. Workshops are about exploring the unknown, being creative and learning new skills.

That is all possible at Gaya.

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‘The workshop is suited to those with a passion for food and clay, together with an inquisitiveness to explore the connections between the two…’ Vicki Grima

Curious? Inspired? I am! There are still places available in this workshop, and I would love you to join me!

Click the link and head over to the workshop page now for full details and exclusive Early Bird specials when you book through me.

Meanwhile, stay tuned for next week’s delicious blog offering!

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: Australian Ceramics Association, Bali, creativity, curiosity, Gaya Ceramic Art Centre, Journal of Australian Ceramics, potter, retreat, Ubud, Vicki Grima, workshop

September 29, 2015 by Claire Atkins Leave a Comment

An Art Villa in Ubud

I’m leading a group to Ubud in May 2016, for the clay-bending-mouth-watering workshop, ‘Food Meets Plate’ at Gaya Ceramic Art Centre.  This month we’re meeting some of the inspiring artists whose knowledge and vision will turn our time in Bali from a trip into a transformative experience. 

Last week I spoke to our workshop host Hillary Kane, and if you’re just joining us, catch up on our conversation Creative Callings.

This week we’re checking out the workshop accommodation, at the inspiring, art-filled guest house ‘Ubud ArtVilla‘, owned by Australian ceramic artist Bruce McWhinney.

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Ubud ArtVilla at night

Bruce McWhinney is an Australian artist with over 30 years experience in ceramics. Nature and travel have been the main inspiration for his work; be it wood fired ceramics, sculpture, painting or drawing. 

I met Bruce about 15 years ago when I was a student at Brookvale TAFE, where Bruce and a group of exceptional designers and potters were building a dynamic ceramics department on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Brookvale TAFE continues to thrive, and while Bruce is as passionate as ever about Australian Arts education, his vision now incorporates a much wider classroom that includes building creative communities in other parts of the world…and Bruce is literally building them.

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Stunning garden design links sculptures and architecture throughout the villa

One such project is Ubud ArtVilla, a unique guesthouse in the quiet hamlet of Penestanan, just minutes from the bustling town of Ubud.

Here the concept is to infuse hospitality with Bruce’s long time love for Balinese arts and culture. In this place each day, guests soak up stunning architectural design, idyllic gardens, wood fired ceramics, paintings, drawings, and sculptures at every turn.

ArtVilla is managed and operated by Wayan Suparta and his family, who bring local knowledge and Balinese custom to every moment, enabling guests to discover the real traditions and culture of Bali during their stay. ArtVilla is the perfect place for anyone who is seeking to revitalise or woo their inner artist, and for two weeks in May 2016, Ubud ArtVilla will be home-sweet-home for ‘Food Meets Plate’ workshop participants.

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Ubud ArtVilla’s lap pool looks out to Mt Agung

Claire Atkins: Hi Bruce! I had the pleasure of staying at Ubud ArtVilla last year while I attended a workshop at Gaya. I have to say, that living with and using your woodfired ceramics every day was one of the best parts about staying at ArtVilla. Each morning, breakfast was served on stunning ceramic pieces that quietly called for our consideration. Do you think that living with handmade ceramics affects us?

Bruce McWhinney: Woodfired ceramics for me is the ultimate expression of working with clay and fire. The spontaneous effects coming from the fire on each piece is quite individual and embue the work with a human warmth that makes using it a daily joy. What I love most is that I never tire of the work and it keeps me captivated by the evidence of nature.

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Bruce McWhinney ceramics

Can you describe your design process, and is your approach different when you’re making ceramic pieces intended for food?

Making tableware is very much about understanding the function of each piece. One can only be a good functional potter if they use their work and learn what makes it a pleasure to use and live with. After decades of making ceramics, my forms have been pared right back to the simplest possible. This allows space for the fire to complete the piece and also gives a calm reassuring presence about them. Teapots must pour, cups must be easy to hold with a lip that feels good up against one’s mouth, and plates should provide a smooth finish. Having said that, while I strive to give the most, it often takes time to appreciate what is there in each piece. But so it is in life and art.

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Traditional ‘Bali kopi’ served in Bruce’s woodfired ceramics, is a daily ritual at Ubud ArtVilla

You divide your year working and living in Australia and Bali, with residencies throughout the world thrown in! How has travel, and living so intimately with the Balinese impacted your own art practice?

This is a big question. Bali has provided a cultural retreat where I can make work and share it with people from all around the world. My aim in building the ArtVilla was to create a place where people could experience living with hand made things and discover the joys of using wood-fired ceramics. Bali has taught me patience, detachment and to see the funny side of life. Things do not always go according to plan but the caring nature of the Balinese makes it all worthwhile. Travel is a passion but being able to work in different places makes it immensely more rewarding. When doing residencies one is privileged to experience life as an insider. I get to know people over a longer period, and hopefully share our different experiences of the world. Sightseeing is fun but it doesn’t sustain me in the same way.

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Bruce in the studio

What do you hope your guests will experience at Ubud Art Villa? 

What I would hope for is that people coming to ArtVilla would experience Bali from the inside. Connecting to the culture and traditions of Bali is made easy through Wayan and his family who staff ArtVilla. Combine that with the joy of making pots at Gaya, and discovering the local food and gastronomy would be a great thing. But, staying at ArtVilla would also mean extending the experience by using, learning about, and living with woodfired ceramics every day.

Thank you so much for joining us Bruce.

So, what do you think?! Will you join us? Visit the workshop page now for Early Bird fees, Ubud ArtVilla accommodation, and booking details. Private room options at ArtVilla and Art Manor are limited, so please don’t delay in contacting me to secure your place as bookings are rolling in!

Be sure to join me next week when I’m talking food and Bali with the indefatigable Janet De Neefe! Janet is the founder and Director of the Ubud Food Festival, the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, she’s also an author, a mother of four children, aaaand the owner of some of Ubud’s best restaurants and bars! 

Filed Under: blog post Tagged With: architecture, artists retreat, Bali, Bruce McWhinney, Ceramics, creative, creativity, garden, Gaya Ceramic Arts Centre, potter, pottery, travel, Ubud, Ubud ArtVilla, woodfired, workshop

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Claire Atkins
We have been overwhelmed by the support and genero We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of our community to install the controversial signage for our play ‘SHIT’ on their lawns and front fences! Thank you! Thank you!❤️❤️❤️ #oceanshores #makethatshitpop #privatelawns #publicparks #SHIT #australianplays
Last week Byron Council caved under media pressure Last week Byron Council caved under media pressure and released promotional signs for our play they had impounded. However, unlike every other event in Byron Shire we’re not permitted to install signage for this multi award-winning Australian play along public road reserves. 
Our play, with its provocative title, is about three women who have grown up in Australia’s broken foster care system. Their story is hard to hear, but don’t silence it, these three women and thousands like them have been silenced their entire lives. We’re permitted to display event signage from private residences or businesses. Please get in touch if you live or work along a main road in Byron Shire and would like to sponsor a SHIT sign.
Our SHIT has hit a community nerve and promotional Our SHIT has hit a community nerve and promotional signage for our play has been impounded by council following complaints. Come see what all the fuss is about at The Drill Hall Theatre in Mullumbimby, 12-28 March. EVENT TIX in my profile link.
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#SHIT  #shock #gasp #theylikeustobeladylike #australianplays #australiantheatre
‘Out of control girls, angry girls, nasty girls ‘Out of control girls, angry girls, nasty girls are a sight to behold. They’re terrifying, electrifying, they’re everything girls shouldn’t be, and we hate them. This is a play about three such girls, Billy, Bobby and Sam. And you’ll never forget them’
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We’re in rehearsal, deep diving into Patricia Cornelius’s brilliant and brutal writing to perform in her electrifying play SHIT. Playing by public demand from 12-28 March at The Drill Hall Theatre in Mullumbimby, and reimagined by a stunning creative team, under the direction of legend Liz Chance. We sold out quickly last time, so hop on it. Event tix up there in my link tree.
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#australianplays #australiantheatre #patriciacornelius #SHIT #mullumbimby #drillhalltheatre #byronbay #actor
I’ve been lucky to work on some exciting new TV I’ve been lucky to work on some exciting new TV series this year. And as much as I love acting, I love working behind the camera too. I was so happy to climb aboard this project as Art Director. COURTESY BUS is a piss-your-pants-funny Australian comedy written by Brett Stephens @brettsixsixty, starring @mandy.nolan, Nell Schofield @nellyvision, Tony Barry, @ellensbriggs, @andysaunderscomedy, Liam Olsen and @jen.kyna. Each episode begins at the end of the night, and tells the hilarious and heartfelt stories of a riotous cast on their wayward journey home. Coming soon! 

#courtesybus #aussiecomedy #bangalow #bangalowbowlo #comingsoon #pissyourpants
When a woman swears, or spits, or screams, or shou When a woman swears, or spits, or screams, or shouts, or laughs too loudly, or fights, really fights, or fucks too much and wears too much lipstick or none at all, all we want to do is lock her up or cross the street. Out-of-control women are a sight to behold. They’re terrifying, electrifying, and everything that women shouldn't be - or so we're told. This is a story about these women. Their names are Billy, Bobby and Sam, and you will never forget them.
 
After a sell-out first season, Patricia Cornelius's multi-award-winning play SHIT returns to the Mullumbimby Drill Hall Theatre by public demand on 12-28 March 2021. Starring Claire Atkins, Kate Foster and Kate Horsley. Reimagined and directed by Liz Chance, with sound design by Paul Pilsneniks and choreography by Kate Holmes. 

Tickets: $27/$24/$20 Enquiries 0420986570 
EVENT TICKETS in the link. This will sell-out. Book now.

#australianplays #patriciacornelius #SHIT
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