Category: EBPC Potters - European Bonsai Potter Collective

WELCOME to the EBPC GREG Ceramics !!

12/4/2024

……After many years of an ‘open invite’, we are delighted to announce that the well-known & much-loved French artist ‘Greg-Ceramics’ of France is now officially a member of the EBPC family.

Please JOIN US in WELCOMING Greg to the EBPC, your comments are interactions are much appreciated and help spread the word!

EBPC Membership selection must, by it’s nature, be discerning and selective - for the EBPC logo to remain the mark of quality that people can rely on, within this vast sea of pots and potters.

With artists as celebrated as Greg however, it is easy and a pleasure!! This highly acclaimed artist was eligible to join from the beginning.
Greg has been enabling and inspiring the bonsai community for well over a decade with his distinguished and often intricate creations, and the EBPC are honoured to recommend highly Greg’s wonderful artisan bonsai ceramics.

WELCOME GREG to the EBPC !! 

Greg has created a wonderful collection of pots for EBPC customers, which we are very proud to release this Sunday at the UK’s premiere bonsai show – Bonsai Expo UK!

.. A taster for you.

These bespoke artisanal pots are EBPC stamped and made to exacting standards, in Greg’s unmistakable and distinctive style. A special batch of pots! 3 of these were the pots Greg displayed at this year's 'Bonsai Trophy Exhibition' and will forever be recorded in the Trophy annual book. Great forms and exceptional organic glazed finishes, where muted tones meet blossoming crystal formations.

Read more about Greg Ceramics & his wonderful work in his EBPC potter profile.

We thank you for supporting the EBPC, and great artists like Greg Ceramics.

#Europeanbonsaipottercollective #gregceramics #ebpcstampedpots #ebpcpots #bonsaiexpouk #BonsaiExpo #ebpcmember

Www.Europeanbonsaipottercollective.com

Trophy 2024 EBPC Pot Display The Winning entry!!

22/2/2024

Congratulations to Patrik Lüthi of Fukurou, Switzerland!

Exquisite entries from 33 of Europe's most talented bonsai potters were featured this year, in the EBPC Pot Display at the prestigious 'Trophy Bonsai Exhibition' over a magnificent 100ft display.

The quality and diverse variety of entries this year was particularly impressive, with entries ranging from the classical styles, to cutting edge techniques and contemporary themes. We will look at the display in full in another article.

The winning entry was this striking wide-rim ceramic pot with a Lotus-shaped form and bespoke wooden base, by Fukurou Ceramics of Switzerland.

The pot has a wonderful blue/green aquamarine glaze, with impressive crystal nucleation. The lower part of this piece is an intricate, structurally designed wooden base that the pot inserts seamlessly into. Also made by the artist, the structure and inlay technique used here, further showcase his exceptional and varied talents.

Fukurou bonsai pots are made and finished with great care and attention to detail and are popular with some of Europe's leading bonsai artists.

... From Fukurou's EBPC Potter Profile:
'Fukurou Ceramics are the bonsai ceramic creations of Patrik Luthi, a gifted artist from the picturesque country of Switzerland. These high-quality handmade pieces have a touch of the Japanese aesthetic, yet retain a distinctive ‘Fukurou’ style. Designs are inspired by classical forms and are very suitable for use with good quality bonsai trees. ‘As with bonsai, I feel mostly attracted by the traditional pots, but love to develop new glaze recipes and new shapes.’

Being the grandson of a woodsman, and having grown up around the woods, mountains and lakes of Switzerland, Patrik has always had a close affinity with nature and has kept bonsai for over a decade. Studying at the renowned Kitoras Bonsai School under Nicola Crivelli, Patrik has developed a keen eye for bonsai design and aesthetics – an essential requisite for creating high quality bonsai ceramics.

Pots are mostly thrown on a potter’s wheel, or slab built and come in a variety of forms. Unglazed wares come in a range of clays, including a wonderful dark grey, and a reddish-brown clay. No commercial glazes are used, as Patrik enjoys experimenting and creating exciting new glazes.'

Thank you to Patrik, and all of the talented artists that contributed to the magnificent display of bonsai ceramics this year.
Please look out for the coming post on the Pot Display.

Thank you for following and supporting the EPBC.

The reflective glazes of Sabine Besnard

18/12/2023

A reflection of nature ..

The tones and textures of nature have always been the main inspiration for Sabine Besnard's glazes. Together with her husband Francois, glazes are created and recreated, often experimenting for months, until the desired effects are realised.

Below is a catalogue of the wonderful glazes of Sabine Besnard's ceramics.
I hope you enjoy these as much as we have.

Okinawa

'Okinawa is an archipelago of Japanese islands in the Pacific, the turquoise of the water and the multitude of islets remind me of the nucleations of this enamel.
Okinawa enamels are nucleation enamels that on a turquoise or indigo blue base have small concentric crystals of dark color. In a bonsai pot, you must put a tree that remains the focal point, so a tree that by its colors of foliage or flowers or its beauty is not crushed by the pot. It is an enamel that varies from blue to black and it is the balance between the two that is sought, moreover it tends to sink. A capricious and surprising enamel that explains the price of the most successful Okinawa pots.'

Lichen

One of the last enamels we have developed, Lichen has a green background with black nucleations that sometimes turn white. If it is laid very thin it becomes pale blue but very thick it is black. A curiosity that allows you to create landscapes with a single enamel.
This glaze is matte, and the thickness-induced multi- colour variations,
result in very unique pots, that fit well with deciduous trees.

Yuki d'Or Bleu

New Blue Gold Yuki Enamel
With such oak ash glazes, you can see the different crystallisation effects of Yuki enamel. Yuki means snow in Japanese. It has a green or blue background dotted with small golden yellow crystallisations. It is a glossy glaze with very natural and discreet colours.

Yuki d'or Vert

New Green Gold Yuki Enamel
With such oak ash glazes, you can see the different crystallisation effects of Yuki enamel. Yuki means snow in Japanese. It has a green or blue background dotted with small golden yellow crystallisations. It is a glossy glaze with very natural and discreet colours .

Kaki / persimmon

This glaze was traditionally used in Japan for many centuries, it is made with a lot of iron oxide that give this bright orange/red and metallic black dots.
This glaze is brilliant and is still used for bowl and Chawan coloration in Japan.

Lavender Blue Song

A glaze that recalls the ceramics of the Song period (12th China) with cracks that gives an antique pot appearance with a very discreet pale blue colour.

Old White Song

A glaze that recalls the ceramics of the Song period (12th China) with cracks that gives an antique pot appearance with a very discreet pale cream colour.

Grey Song

An enamel that recalls the ceramics of the Song period (12th China) with cracks that gives an antique pot appearance with a very discreet pale gray color.

Murasakino

A striking glaze with purple and pink nucleations on a dark blue background.

Blue song on black sandstone

The Song dynasty was present in China from the 10th century. Song ceramics are known for their sober and refined aesthetics, as well as simple and elegant shapes. This blue enamel with slight color variations reminds us of these old ceramics.

Komacu

A shiny turquoise to water green enamel whose white micro-crystals evoke snowflakes.

Mint Green

A beautiful bright green enamel that contrasts matte black parts with ochre. Works with most deciduous trees.

Komori

An enamel with white and black crystal nucleations, on a matte blue to green background.

Black Ochre

A glaze that gives particularly interesting effects. Placed on black earth it can be bright green but also orange-beige to matte black. An enamel that of course can highlight hardwoods but that we also offer for junipers or pine trees with particularly interesting results. A proposal off the beaten track but worth trying.

Ochre Green

A bright green glaze with more matte ochre and black parts.

Serene Satin

An enamel with pink nucleations on a turquoise blue background.

Thank you for viewing the glazes of Sabine Besnard Céramiques.

New pots will be in-store Wednesday 20th December 2023. @ 18.30 G.M.T.

WELCOME - Suiseki Specialists, KAWASEMI Studios of Switzerland!

11/11/2023

Exclusive limited edition dual-stamped range of just 3 suiban released.

If you are a fan of suiseki, or high-quality ceramics, you will be as excited as we are, to welcome Suiseki and Suiban specialists, Nadja & Sandro Tschudin of Switzerland – aka ‘Kawasemi Studios’ to the EBPC Family.

PLEASE give a WARM EBPC WELCOME to our new Members – the truly lovely and extremely talented couple; Nadja & Sandro Tschudin of Switzerland - aka Kawasemi Studios!

The EBPC are thrilled to be working with Nadja & Sandro, and to be able to bring their expertise and wealth of knowledge to you!

Nadja is a ceramist specialising in Suiban. Her refined works are of a superior quality, with classical designs that complement the subtle nuances of Suiban display. Nadja's Suiban are used by Suiseki collectors around Europe.

Sandro is an experienced and talented Daiza carver and has been a Suiseki enthusiast for over 20 years. Over the past decade, Sandro has carved many Daiza for customers around the world, with highly refined finishes and outstanding unique designs

To mark the occasion, Nadja has created an exclusive limited-edition dual-stamped range of just 3 suiban and an inclusive set for the EBPC!

We strongly suggest you check these out and educate yourself on these wonderful works of art.

Available in the EBPC Online store
Saturday 11th November 2023!

N.B. These Suiban are being sold by EBPC DIRECT
- so will be sent to you directly from the artist (in Switzerland).

... As a bonsai related artform, Suiseki has long been displayed at high level bonsai exhibitions, both as an accent with a tree, as well as on their own. Thanks to their high power of suggestion, such stones reflect the essence of landscapes, people, animals and other objects.
Through the art of suiseki, Kawasemi Studios help us to experience the entire universe and cultivate a mindful approach to ourselves and others.

'Our aim is to provide everything you need for Suiseki: stones, the wooden bases, Suiban, matching scrolls and also education and knowledge. Like this we want to share our love for stones and fine arts as well as raise people's awareness of how to combine elements in displays'.

Kawasemi Studios was born from a passion for Suiseki, nature and ceramics.
The creators, Swiss couple Nadja and Sandro Tschudin, live by Lake Lucerne amid the snow-capped Swiss Alps, an idyllic location for Suiseki - both stone appreciation and Tanseki (stone searching trips).

Kawasemi add an exciting new dimension to the EBPC.

We are delighted to welcome Nadja & Sandro into the EBPC family and look forward to learning more about the world of Suiseki and Kawasemi Studios.

You can view Kawasemi's POTTER PROFILE & GALLERY of WORKS here!

Thank you for supporting the EBPC and great European Bonsai Potters.
Your support enables us to bring you more ..
More Info, more Choice & more Value!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN .. for Europe's largest bonsai pot display!

5/7/2023

POTTER REGISTRATION for

The TROPHY Bonsai Exhibition 2024 Pot Display

is now open.

SUBMISSIONS TAKEN FROM 15th JULY - 28th NOVEMBER 2023!

CALLING ALL BONSAI CERAMISTS of EUROPE

In February 2024, Europe’s most prestigious bonsai exhibition will again be hosting the largest display of high-quality bonsai ceramics in Europe – the EBPC Trophy Pot Display!

We love celebrating and bringing more attention to the pots! Since the EBPC first started pot displays in 2015, the POT DISPLAY has become an integral part of leading bonsai exhibitions across Europe, as it has been for many years in Japan.

As enthusiasts and professionals alike attach increasing recognition to the importance of quality European bonsai ceramics, the main purpose of the display is to enhance appreciation in the art of bonsai pottery and to highlight the aesthetics and functionality of high-quality bonsai pots.

The pot display will exhibit 100ft of the best in European bonsai ceramics and will be a great education for the general public and bonsai enthusiasts – in addition to being an integral part of Europe’s finest bonsai exhibition.

Successful entrants will enjoy viewing their work on display at Europe’s most prestigious exhibition, and additionally each pot displayed will be forever recorded with a half page entry in the celebrated Trophy annual hardback book.

Please CLICK HERE to take register & part in

THE TROPHY BONSAI EXHIBITION 2024 EBPC POT DISPLAY

Winning Display 2023. By Sami Amdouni, France.

Thank you for helping to support great European Bonsai Pottery
www.EuropeanBonsaiPotterCollective.com

Where tradition meets innovation ..

20/4/2023

Please JOIN US in welcoming new EBPC member - Igor Carino, of Italy !

Please join us in welcoming a world-class artist, ‘Igor Carino’ as an EBPC member!

This inspirational artist has dedicated himself to bonsai for 20 years and has been creating bonsai ceramics for 18. For the past decade, Igor has been researching how to realize his dream – creating bonsai ceramics through the fusion of traditional pot-building principles with cutting-edge modern technology.

His exceptional 3D-Printed pots won 1st prize at the famous pot contest of the 47th Gafu ten in Kyoto, as well as contests in Europe.

These fascinating pieces have incredible detail in their design and patterned finish, yet retain all of the charms of old Japanese anagama-fired ceramics. Each pot from this process is unique, and the pots have a superb wood-fired sheen, with flame signatures, and natural ash deposit glazes.

Please read about these innovative pots and this great artist on Igor Carino’s EBPC Profile

A LIMITED EDITION RANGE of Gafu ten winning design pots will be IN-STORE on FRIDAY at 18.00 GMT!

A select range of these Gafu-ten winning design pots will be made available for EBPC customers tomorrow (Friday 21st April) in the EBPC Online Store.

These award-winning pots are hand built at the base, and then, once designed and a computer program is built, they are 3D printed using traditional clay - high-quality Japanese or French stoneware. The pots are constantly attended to during this long process and then are finished by hand. The rim is then hand built, and once leather hard, areas of the pots are smoothed to a polished finish. The pots are then wood-fired for 11 hours, another process that requires constant attention, in a special high-temperature wood-fired kiln (1350°C), designed and built by ceramic artist and kiln expert Frederick L. Olsen. A mix between traditional Western wood kilns and Japanese kilns.

#Europeanbonsaipottercollective #ebpcpot #igorcarino #bonsaipot #woodfiredpottery #3dprint #3dprinted #bonsaiceramics #bonsaiitalia #bonsai

Cutting edge pots by Fukurou Ceramics, Switzerland!

10/1/2023

A very special batch for the first release of 2023!

These magnificent bonsai pots are the creations of Patrik Luthi of Fukurou Ceramics, Switzerland. They are at the cutting edge of bonsai ceramic design and display a superb fusion of contemporary and traditional design.

Check them out in-store now! https://europeanbonsaipottercollective.ecwid.com/EBPC-Pot...

Pots by this world-class artist are available from the European Bonsai Potter Collective in Europe, and from Eisei-en Bonsai in the States.
We wish you a very Happy New Year's, and a healthy & happy 2023.

#Europeanbonsaipottercollective #HappyNewYear #fukurouceramics #bonsaipot #ebpcpots #bonsai #bonsailovers #bonsaipotlovers #bonsaipots
#Europeanbonsaipottercollective

November 16th, 2022

16/11/2022

Sami Amdouni, EBPC Alex & Tom Benda at the great EBBS show, Saulieu, France.

Amdouni Bonsai Pots 2022 release!!

Which is your favourite of these incredible Sami Amdouni glazes??
Sami Amdouni excels in recreating the older classic glazes you might see on perhaps a Koyo, or older Chinese pot. Which is our favourite?

The 2022 works by Amdouni Bonsai Pots release will start on Wednesday 16th November, and new pots will be added every day for a few days. 45 Exquisite Pots in Total!
Check them out in store now!

WELCOME ILKER DURAK to the EBPC!

18/10/2022

With a wonderful variety of forms and fantastic designs and glazes, all pots are handmade to Ilker's own designs, inspired by the classics.

... and a few pieces are IN-STORE now!

You can read more about Ilker, on his EBPC POTTER PROFILE here ..

Please join us in WELCOMING Ilker Durak to the EBPC family - we look forward to seeing more great pots from you.

Winners & Prizes - Game 2 EBPC 2021 GAMES

13/4/2022

CONGRATULATIONS to the 3 winners of GAME 2
‘Best Tree and (EBPC Member) Pot COMBINATION’

To celebrate the EBPC’s 5th birthday this year, the EBPC 2021 GAMES were compiled, with superb prizes across a few games.

Here are the WINNERS and PRIZES for GAME 2!

THE WINNERS

1st Place - Jean-Pierre Reitz, Fr.

1st Place Prizes

Congratulations Mr. Reitz!

- 2nd Place - Matt Williams, U.K.

2nd Place Prizes

Congratulations Mr. Williams!

- 3rd Place - Bruno Wijman

3rd place prize

Congratulations Mr. Wijman!

A special thank you to the potters that donated pots for these EBPC 2021 GAMES.

This was GAME 2. Please look out for & participate in the upcoming votes for GAME 6 and GAME 1!
And finally a huge thank you to everyone for your support over the past 5 years, and for voting & sending in your photographs for these 2021 GAMES.