Up Close with Maria Lintott

February 28, 2008

Maria Lintott is as cute and polished as her name may imply. What she isn’t though, is typical of what that might mean if taken at face value. Her interest in details (probably what keeps her looking so well put-together) allows her to design patterns that are simultaneously intricate and simple.

In order to design a composition that is rational yet complex, Maria constantly studies the way details connect in all aspects - from wandering around street markets, noticing how the intense color of the tangerines plays against the wooden cart they sit in, to spending an hour examining the structure of a leaf and all its stems. Maria so closely observes what she is interested in that she is able to step back and recreate what she saw in a simple manner without losing the complexity of it all.

Through photography and sketching, Maria is able to capture images that exemplify how she sees the world. They also provide her with a tangible way to experiment with pattern, beginning with cutting templates from the silhouettes of her sketches and then loading them up with color. Then, by applying pressure, she transfers the pattern to the page, creating subtle variations in the color and depth of the design.

No Eraser

February 25, 2008

One might compare the art of hand-painting bone china to the art of tattooing. They are similar in that it takes impeccable drawing skills, patience, and a steady hand. While mistakes made in the tattoo parlor might incite a more immediate response from the customer, the hours spent pouring over the detail of a highly intricate bone china pattern make mistakes just as unimaginable.

One of the most meticulous and talented artists Teroforma has had the pleasure of working with, Jian Ping Li at Asianera is a master painter and ceramicist. His passion for both the tradition of his craft and the ways that it can be applied to the future extend to his approach to both the artists at Asianera and his students at the Hebei Light Industrial School’s ceramics department, where he is a lecturer. At Asianera, he has taken a holistic approach to the way he cultivates the talents of his artists. He recognizes that being inclusive and nurturing – whether that means the free meals that Asianera provides, the painting competitions it holds, or even the local community outreach programs it sponsors – is the key to activating talent.

When it comes to extending the boundaries of his own craft, he admits that the challenge may be a bit more daunting. He has mentioned that some of his geometric patterns might actually be too perfectly rendered – some have found it hard to believe that there is not a computer involved somewhere in the process. He takes it in stride and will happily do a quick hand sketch to prove you wrong. JP’s passion for what he does and the people he works with is at the core of who he is and the reason that we will keep coming back to him again and again with our most challenging projects.