TSURU CERAMICS HAWAI'I

"I think of myself as a functional potter. I would like to have my pottery used, touched, and handled on a daily basis. I am always experimenting with different clays, glazes, methods of treating the clay, and techniques. In working with the clay I feel that I have touched the core of my being. It is a meditation that frees me from all other thoughts and brings me a feeling of joy and peace. There is also the never ending challenge of the clay. I know that I will not live long enough to execute all the ideas I have, but for now I am living in paradise doing what I love to do." - Jan Bovard

Jan Bovard is a ceramic artist who lives and works in her studio on a seven acre macadamia nut farm, which is nestled on the fertile slopes of Hualalai Mountain on the Big Island of Hawai'i.

She has been working with clay since 1973. In the past 30 years, she traveled extensively throughout Asia, the Pacific, and Europe and has gathered inspiration and techniques from thirty seven different countries. One of the most recent trips was a return trip to Japan, where she was invited to participate as a resident studio potter at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. At the completion of her residency, she was asked to exhibit her pottery at a gallery in Shigaraki with three other potters.

Jan's early training as a potter was inspired and encouraged by the late architect and potter, Joseph Wertz, who himself had studied with the masterful Living Treasure, Shoji Hamada of Japan. He would go on to guide her in setting up her own pottery studio. Later, she apprenticed with Clary Illian for six months who studied with the well known Bernard Leach of England. Jan was introduced to Illian by her friend and mentor, Charmian Johnson who also studied with Bernard Leach. Hamada and Leach were the forerunners of the Ceramic Craft Movement in America. Jan's pottery has been strongly influenced by these two masters. She presently exhibits her work in Hawai'i and Japan. Her pieces can be found in private collections throughout America, Europe, and Asia.