The amazing art of MJ Lai (Mrs. Tokutake)

[Perplexody]

Feel free to keep the conversation flowing around me but, all of your pots currently are what I assume is porcelain, but I couldn't help but notice that one particular pot that was in the mirai sale was a different body.
Do you work with the other clays anymore? I loved the darker look with your painting
I'm not sure if this question could be better answered by Nao

 

[Gabler]

And that’s the thing, I do sell all my pots (minus a very small handful that I think just aesthetically don’t look good so even priced ‘cheap’ no one wants them ).

In my past 20 years experience of selling artwork and pottery at shows, I find there are three types of customers. The first, are bargain hunters - it doesn’t matter who the maker is, if it is cheapcheapcheap these customers love a good deal. The second are customers who like your work, but have a budget in mind. These customers can be nudged in either direction. The third, are customers who *love your work so much* they are willing to pay the price asked because they appreciate it so much and find it worth it because it brings them so much joy and it holds a lot of value to them. I like to price in between the latter two, and I like to offer some smaller things that people can find more affordable too. I also tend to be that third customer, so my wallet has hurt in the past but I really cherish what I have gotten.

I'm somewhere in the ballpark of #1. My wife is closer than I am to #2. We've ended up with a lot of junk we need to get rid of before we move into a new house, since we're both reluctant to part with things, be it money, knick-knacks, or an old couch that really isn't comfortable to sit on. I'm realizing that I'm better off getting fewer and nicer things, and also letting go of junk that I never actually have time to use or enjoy. As with most things in life, it seems balance is important.

 

[Sansokuu]

Feel free to keep the conversation flowing around me but, all of your pots currently are what I assume is porcelain, but I couldn't help but notice that one particular pot that was in the mirai sale was a different body.
Do you work with the other clays anymore? I loved the darker look with your painting
I'm not sure if this question could be better answered by Nao

We use a number of stonewares, Nao prefers stoneware because my blue paintings come out darker on them. The one in the Mirai sale might have been a hodgepodge but it isn’t porcelain, and I likely used iron oxide on it which makes for black/metallic type lines. Nothing else comes out as strong and white as the porcelain though, but I do love the stoneware for more rustic type looks. I like all the different clay bodies, this is all just tip of the iceberg.

 

[Maiden69]

I guess someone missed the part that Mary introduced Nao into ceramics...

Japanese painted pots are very rarely made dark. The one on Mirai's stream was a Nao pot that Mary painted on... so I guess you want a Nao pot, sit down and wait... haven't seen one on their website in months. If you want a Nao pot painted by Mary, sit down as well, as Nao's commissioned orders are also on hold.

I have one of Mary's pot, and I can say they are amazing. I'm also in the 2-3 categories for high valued items. Anything else I tend to be on the 1st one... If I know the items are of value, I rarely haggle. I was given a price, it was over my budget but I was able to make it work.

 

[Wood]

Been feeling dragony so I doodled this. Now if only my legs would stop falling asleep so I can get more done in a sitting.

Any chance the dragon pot makes it to Nationals?

 

[Perplexody]

I guess someone missed the part that Mary introduced Nao into ceramics...

I'm well aware , but I also knew that the specific pot I was referring to was one of Naos. I thought it could potentially be a question for him as well for that reason

Japanese painted pots are very rarely made dark. The one on Mirai's stream was a Nao pot that Mary painted on... so I guess you want a Nao pot, sit down and wait... haven't seen one on their website in months. If you want a Nao pot painted by Mary, sit down as well, as Nao's commissioned orders are also on hold.

I know it's a waiting game for now.

I was just curious about it because of the rustic look as Mary put it

 

[Sansokuu]

Japanese painted pots are very rarely made dark. The one on Mirai's stream was a Nao pot that Mary painted on... so I guess you want a Nao pot, sit down and wait... haven't seen one on their website in months. If you want a Nao pot painted by Mary, sit down as well, as Nao's commissioned orders are also on hold.

Nao is in free spirit mode currently, he makes what he wants when inspired (sometimes this might mean inspiration by particularly special trees, such as the Pacific Bonsai Museum apple tree) I don’t see his commissions publicly opening any time soon for reasons.

That particular Kutani ware style pot was very special and indeed I don’t think we will see anything like it for some time unless he gets the wabisabi kutani bug again. Kind of wish we had kept it and the other one I did. But I also feel like we should have kept a lot of lovely pots that have been made.. I took another look at it and it looks like the face the quail was painted on was glazed with a matte white. The matte whites can look very different on dark clay bodies or lighter ones, and we also use recycled clay in the studio which is a mish mash of everything. That tends to fire an oatmeal color underneath. He might remember what he used.

I actually prefer making stuff in clay but with a second baby on the way you might not see anything for another three years, since that is about how long it took for me to finally have free time to myself to do pottery again. But we‘ll see, since I’m not a first time mom this time around and the pandemic is in the rearview mirror kid #2 might see more daycare than Phoebe. My pottery goals are nail carving in dark clay and sculpting bas relief dragons, but ultimately I would like to sculpt wax to cast into bronze accent animals.

 

[Sansokuu]

I'm well aware , but I also knew that the specific pot I was referring to was one of Naos. I thought it could potentially be a question for him as well for that reason

I know it's a waiting game for now.

I was just curious about it because of the rustic look as Mary put it

No hard feelings !! You can try messaging @NaoTK directly if you have questions about his pots.

I forget if I even posted these, apologies if I had. I painted these for Young Choe’s demo back in June. These are oribe style, with iron oxide on stoneware. The catfish and plovers pots were covered with iron oxide which I then sponged off, which gives them that dirty look. I didn’t like the clay body by itself, a little too oatmeal looking. They are very lightly glazed in clear or else they would have been too matte. These are hard to photograph, they are not this shiny in person. The planted one was arranged by Young Choe herself, I donated two pots for the club to raffle.

 

[Maiden69]

but ultimately I would like to sculpt wax to cast into bronze accent animals.

One of my great uncles was a jeweler, and he sculpted wax for his creations out of silver and gold for decades. My mother still have a bracelet with my name that he casted when I was not even one year old, but I have with me a crucifix he made in the 60's for my mom. I had no idea you could add so many details to wax and had them show after casting. Will be looking forward to some bronze dragons from you to pair with some pots.

 

[pandacular]

I'm curious about "the right way" to try to make a deal with a vendor such as yourself. I definitely find myself in the second camp quite often, but am sensitive to offending folks by trying to wheel and deal, but I also recognize that that is part of the game. Basically, how can I best ask for a bargain without sounding like a dick?

 

[namnhi]

Nao is in free spirit mode currently, he makes what he wants when inspired (sometimes this might mean inspiration by particularly special trees, such as the Pacific Bonsai Museum apple tree) I don’t see his commissions publicly opening any time soon for reasons.

That particular Kutani ware style pot was very special and indeed I don’t think we will see anything like it for some time unless he gets the wabisabi kutani bug again. Kind of wish we had kept it and the other one I did. But I also feel like we should have kept a lot of lovely pots that have been made.. I took another look at it and it looks like the face the quail was painted on was glazed with a matte white. The matte whites can look very different on dark clay bodies or lighter ones, and we also use recycled clay in the studio which is a mish mash of everything. That tends to fire an oatmeal color underneath. He might remember what he used.

I actually prefer making stuff in clay but with a second baby on the way you might not see anything for another three years, since that is about how long it took for me to finally have free time to myself to do pottery again. But we‘ll see, since I’m not a first time mom this time around and the pandemic is in the rearview mirror kid #2 might see more daycare than Phoebe. My pottery goals are nail carving in dark clay and sculpting bas relief dragons, but ultimately I would like to sculpt wax to cast into bronze accent animals.

Congrats on the second baby on the way. It will be fun... I love my kids but you already know it... a lot of work too.

 

[Sansokuu]

One of my great uncles was a jeweler, and he sculpted wax for his creations out of silver and gold for decades. My mother still have a bracelet with my name that he casted when I was not even one year old, but I have with me a crucifix he made in the 60's for my mom. I had no idea you could add so many details to wax and had them show after casting. Will be looking forward to some bronze dragons from you to pair with some pots.

Wax is amazing, you can do any details or textures you want with it. Any bronze sculptures you see anywhere were all likely sculpted in wax. There are different wax hardnesses though, I’m used to the soft stuff, like sculpting with tootsie rolls. You can melt it and manipulate it too, or just soften it over an incandescent bulb. Jewelry wax tends to be rock hard but as a result you can carve very fine details into it. Very neat!

 

[Sansokuu]

I'm curious about "the right way" to try to make a deal with a vendor such as yourself. I definitely find myself in the second camp quite often, but am sensitive to offending folks by trying to wheel and deal, but I also recognize that that is part of the game. Basically, how can I best ask for a bargain without sounding like a dick?

I think the best way to ask is to ask if they take offers, but also throw in you don’t mean to offend, but thought to ask. Some people will out right say no, some might say it depends on the offer. You would also have a better chance end of day on the last day if people want things to move and are ok with letting it go for a hair less. People are also more open to offers if you buy a number of things and reasonably round down. Just don’t lowball anyone. Though asking for ‘bargains’ in general might not be a good approach to things hand made. Second camp people tend to need some convincing to pay the asking price, or ask if you can make payments. The best thing to do is pay the asking price, but like I said, it is Ok to ask as long as you do so politely. I have tried haggling when traveling and some places are totally ok with it, some definitely expect it and initiate the bargaining (which is weird but I’ll take discounts thrown at me lol) and some are very apologetic they cannot accomodate, I don’t think anyone really gets offended (on the outside).

 

[pandacular]

Though asking for ‘bargains’ in general might not be a good approach to things hand made

certainly! i included that part as something of a joke.

"hey I know you think that your work (you!) are worth this much, but I think we can go lower!" never really quite hits right. Oftentimes, I'll say simply that it is out of my budget, which often raises a reply of "well, what's your budget?"

 

[Sansokuu]

Well, on offerup/fb/craigslist whatever, I ask ‘Are you open to considering offers?’ seems the best way to do it. But I’m also talking about used goods.. It is straight forward and polite and easy to turn down or engage imo.

certainly! i included that part as something of a joke.

"hey I know you think that your work (you!) are worth this much, but I think we can go lower!" never really quite hits right. Oftentimes, I'll say simply that it is out of my budget, which often raises a reply of "well, what's your budget?

 

[snowman04]

I think the best way to ask is to ask if they take offers, but also throw in you don’t mean to offend, but thought to ask. Some people will out right say no, some might say it depends on the offer. You would also have a better chance end of day on the last day if people want things to move and are ok with letting it go for a hair less. People are also more open to offers if you buy a number of things and reasonably round down. Just don’t lowball anyone. Though asking for ‘bargains’ in general might not be a good approach to things hand made. Second camp people tend to need some convincing to pay the asking price, or ask if you can make payments. The best thing to do is pay the asking price, but like I said, it is Ok to ask as long as you do so politely. I have tried haggling when traveling and some places are totally ok with it, some definitely expect it and initiate the bargaining (which is weird but I’ll take discounts thrown at me lol) and some are very apologetic they cannot accomodate, I don’t think anyone really gets offended (on the outside).

I find that I am now in the #3 group because I want to get something nice while I can still enjoy it! Age does that to some people...

 

[Sansokuu]

Any chance the dragon pot makes it to Nationals?

I will have dragon pot at Nationals. These will have one of Nao’s custom glazes on it, the dragon will be in a window.

 

[rockm]

Nao is in free spirit mode currently, he makes what he wants when inspired (sometimes this might mean inspiration by particularly special trees, such as the Pacific Bonsai Museum apple tree) I don’t see his commissions publicly opening any time soon for reasons.

That particular Kutani ware style pot was very special and indeed I don’t think we will see anything like it for some time unless he gets the wabisabi kutani bug again. Kind of wish we had kept it and the other one I did. But I also feel like we should have kept a lot of lovely pots that have been made.. I took another look at it and it looks like the face the quail was painted on was glazed with a matte white. The matte whites can look very different on dark clay bodies or lighter ones, and we also use recycled clay in the studio which is a mish mash of everything. That tends to fire an oatmeal color underneath. He might remember what he used.

I actually prefer making stuff in clay but with a second baby on the way you might not see anything for another three years, since that is about how long it took for me to finally have free time to myself to do pottery again. But we‘ll see, since I’m not a first time mom this time around and the pandemic is in the rearview mirror kid #2 might see more daycare than Phoebe. My pottery goals are nail carving in dark clay and sculpting bas relief dragons, but ultimately I would like to sculpt wax to cast into bronze accent animals.

"My pottery goals are nail carving in dark clay and sculpting bas relief dragons, but ultimately I would like to sculpt wax to cast into bronze accent animals"

Do this! I've been collecting small bronze animal sculpture for a while--where I can find them. Not enough of them around, particualyr any that can be used for bonsai displays.

There's are a few artists in the U.K. making good things, but U.S. sculptors making miniatures are scarce. Maryland local sculptor Paul Rhymer used to make pretty good miniatures of native North American wildlife. Much more robust and rougher than the U.K. stuff. He was the last full-time taxidermist at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum. He doesn't list his miniatures on his website anymore. A shame. He made several "sets" of different animals by region. I've got a few of them.

 

[pandacular]

Nao is in free spirit mode currently

I've been thinking about this ever since I've read it. I am highly inspired by the hope of being described similarly by a loved one. Doing my best to embody that!

 

[Sansokuu]

I've been thinking about this ever since I've read it. I am highly inspired by the hope of being described similarly by a loved one. Doing my best to embody that!

It is very hard being a creative but also doing said creative things for a living. Intrusive thoughts like ‘will people like this, will people buy it’ is the fastest way to lose that spark and pieces of yourself you embody in your work. Whatever it is you are doing, do it for yourself and for your own personal joy, any admirers or money that comes after are all just bonuses.