Simplicity

Yes, I haven't visited my blog for a very long time. I've been kind of lost for words.

In the search for simplicity I find much complexity.
I long for the basics.
The distance is too far between the food on my table and the source of it.
I want to go fishing, to plant our own vegetables, to spend free time doing art.

Instead, we spend our time running after cash.

Here are some pictures of our attempts at simplicity.........far from perfect, but closer to the source......I miss those times.......I dream about these times and try to find a way to do it again......even better, with everything we have learned.........

The paradox.......the simplest things are hardest to achieve, in the context of today.

Let me know your thoughts......about this paradox........is there anyone out there thinking the same?

October 'Animal Raku ' workshop

 

 

 Congratulations to Natacha, Stephanie, Stephanie 2, Julie, Simon, Tessa and Torin for their exceptionally beautiful creations. We had a great atmosphere and the firing evening was a night to remember.
The November workshop firing falls on a full moon, so there is a good chance of getting amazing color effects. Watch this space for the results of the full moon fire after the 26th November.

 

 

 

Baby hand and footprints in ceramics:

Our second request from new parents for something to keep and remember forever. I think they came out great, with the ancient look that was requested. We enjoyed being part of this memory. This set was for baby Sienna.

Made in Mauritius

Funky teapots at the Mystica studio, Mauritius.

A range of funky teapots, made to order. Individually hand made, no two are the same.
Come to the studio for a visit and choose your favorite teapot.

Tribal Harmony – The Way of the Fijian

Eighteen degrees South of the equator in the East Pacific ocean lie the three hundred and thirty three island nation of Fiji.

The Fijians are different from other Pacific nations in that they are the only Pacific people descended from Africa.  They are renowned for their navigational skills till today which makes sense when you think of the incredible distance they had to travel by boat in ancient times to get to Fiji from Tanganyika (the modern Tanzania). The legend of their mysterious journey is another story for another day because for now, I would like to tell you about their inherent synchronicity with nature.

A tribal people who still own their land, the Fijians live simply, surrounded by immaculate gardens of coconut palms, hibiscus and banana trees in tidy traditional huts devoid of clutter. The traditional ‘sulu’ or sarong is still worn by everyone and they will greet you with a friendly and open ‘bula’ smile which represents a welcoming peace and harmony. 

Kava ceremony

 Originally used only by the Chief, it has become an almost every day occasion or at least every weekend on the mainland.  On the outer, more remote islands, it is more traditional and just as often. Joining our tribe at a Kava ceremony we present a ‘sevu sevu’ - an authentic Kava root to the honorable Chief.

Most late afternoons, one can hear the sound of the Kava root being pounded with a large metal pestle and mortar type apparatus, a friendly clanging sound in the distance. The powdered root is squeezed with water in a cloth and poured into a Kava bowl, carved from the Wesi tree.

We are all invited to sit in a circle on a natural woven mat. The ‘bilo’ (coconut shell)  is filled, low-tide, high-tide or tsunami and is passed around.

The diluted, powdered root tastes like bark. Our tongues instantly go numb. A few members play the ukulele between rounds. The laughter comes as naturally as the deep blue waves in the nearby lagoon. The kava ceremony exudes a certain tranquility and everyone is free to tease, to laugh out loud and everyone does, for hours and hours.

We laugh from our bellies, a deep, loud, satisfying laugh, full of substance (excuse the pun). We giggle, chuckle, fall down laughing. We laugh at each other’s shortcomings and make fun of each other’s mistakes. It is an intelligent laugh, a knowing laugh, a kind laugh, a laugh that symbolizes acceptance and respect for the natural world.

In spite of the many hardships around their daily existence, the Fijian demonstrate a certain grace. Their attitude and way of life is to be admired and their ancient traditions to be cherished. We can learn a great deal from these gentle and strong people and should grant them the utmost respect.

To make things all the more intriguing, to be angry in Fijian culture is taboo. Imagine that………to be angry is taboo. This is the way of the tribal Fijian.

Related articles:

http://lynfuchs.blogspot.com/2013/01/primal-wilderness-rambling-from-pacific.html

By Maiyan Karidi @ www.mysticaartdesign.com

Lucky shots

I haven't been around my blog for a while and have decided to try to share at least one post each week from now on. Although I have been 'away' from cyberspace, I have been very present on the ground! We have had great Raku workshops and many interesting art sessions with some new students.

Today I thought I would share some pictures I took around Mauritius with my silly little half-dead camera, who sometimes surprises me with an interesting shot. 

This series I named "reflections".

Maybe you have some lucky shots to share? I love those spontaneous moments when we just catch something in the moment, without thought, without planning. As I drove past an average shop on an average day, I caught those mannequins before being dressed up, beside the Hindu statue...........so surreal.

 

 

Color Journeys

Color Journeys – A Turquoise Adventure

Wherever I go, I search for beautiful colors.

They jump out at me from all kinds of places. From forests and oceans, infinite open skies and deserts at twilight to local markets full of mysterious fruits and strange vegetables, rich spices and playful people.

Sometimes I search for what I need. The color to calm me down or liven me up, to stimulate my mind or  touch my heart.

I am writing this for you, to give you the color you need.

So, I will begin with turquoise, just because it’s special. It’s a blend. An exotic mixture of emerald green and clear-sky blue.

Are you a turquoise person?

Turquoise people are communicative, well-adjusted and optimistic. They are capable, child-like and dreamy. Turquoise people have awareness. They are calm, introspective and self-reliant. Turquoise people say what they feel and place most of their energies on personal relationships.

When do we need turquoise?

We need turquoise when we are feeling stressed or suffering from tension and anxiety. Turquoise supports us, refreshes and stimulates. Turquoise revives our soul and reconnects us with nature.

So, on my search for turquoise the most beautiful I found on my travels was the deep turquoise of the coral reef lagoons in the Pacific and Indian Ocean.

On a voyage in a small (and I mean tiny) fishing vessel in the vast, open Pacific, the mesmerizing color helps me to ignore the fact that we have no GPS, no mobile phone, possibly not enough diesel, not enough drinking water and no food at all.

‘Oh look, flying fish!’ leaping out of the blue. No land in site. I wonder, how does this nonchalant Fijian fisherman know where he is?

I ask him and he replies with a grin ‘the color of the water’. I nod, as though I understand and it explains everything. We continue, slowly, very slowly. The sun is approaching the horizon.

‘How much longer to the island’? I ask, trying not to look concerned.

‘No worries’ he shouts. ‘Senganalenga.’

Well, OK then. I stare at the colors and they comfort me. Then the engine cuts. Silence.

‘What happened?’ I ask calmly.

‘Oh nothing’ he says, ‘there are Wahloo over there’.

‘Wahloo?’

‘Yes Wahloo’ he says. ‘Very good fish – for dinner – we do some fishing’.

‘Ahh’ I sigh. ‘No rush’?

‘No rush’ he answers.

I focus on the turquoise and try to shut out the voice in my head.

They are fishing. They are content. They are totally in the present.

I decide that the best thing for me would be to join them in the now.

So I stare at the blue eternity, watch the sun touch the horizon and smile.

We all need a little healing. We are all a little battered and bruised by life and while we are on this incredible journey we need a little help from the rainbow – it’s a free gift from the never-ending cosmos.