Paul Hemara

An early piece from John...

Big 25cmh Pot that I found covered in green & black mould & have soaked & scrubbed for days in nappy wash, its cleaned up great.  PH NZ mark

Another I took a before pic of.. paint stripper, nappy wash & a scrub I discovered a darker burnished pot with some copper in the firing as verdigris spots are all over.

Is Paul's work also sold under the Arataki brand name?

Paul Hemara trades as Arataki Ceramics.

These are the property of Beverley White who once owned Stage Artware. When Hemara was making her moulds, she used to pop next door to see what Paul had been making and buy if one caught her eye. These are mainly seconds but you wouldn't know it.  I didn't measure them but the tallest is about 60-70 cm tall.  They are straw fired - I gather they put straw around the pots and it left those lovely marks when it burned - hoping that one of you potters can give a fuller explanation cos I am sure it's not as simple as that!

Not ever having been involved in a straw firing, I can only guess at the process. Straw is tied around the pot and then it is fired to around 1000' in an oxidising atmosphere. The straw carbonises when it burns and leaves lines etched into the clay. Perhaps someone who has used this technique could add further information.

And these too.

Thank you for the nudge haselnuss.
Honestly sometimes I must think that I'm only a member on here and enjoy the posts and forget to do my job !!!

EV, You are so busy on the forum and with your research. I totally admire you!