The Artisan

My name is Wayne Malleau - I was born in the Philippines and my family immigrated to Toronto before I was one. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of being in the garden with my parents, and from there I grew to love gardening.  At the age of 13, my family and I moved to Vancouver.  There we were surrounded by the mountains and mature trees and I had never felt so close to nature.  My bonsai journey began in 1991, influenced by a rich Asian culture, it seeded my passion for the living art form. 

Within a few years I found myself back in Toronto and I soon joined the Toronto Bonsai Society to continue my journey.  After meeting my future husband in 2007, Manitoulin Island also became a part of my life and it’s now where we call home.

With the yearning to create in 2016, my hobby of pottery took me on a brand new path and it became the beginning of the fusion of my two passions.  In 2020, with the pandemic upon us, I left the fast pace of the corporate world in pursuit of my Ikigai (a reason for being, a purpose in life).  During the challenging times of covid, pottery has helped me channel the fears and anxiety into creativity.   It has kept me grounded and has become my haven. 

My Works

My works are an exploration of my imagination and values.  I love objects with meaning that weave into our daily lives.  I feel pottery decorates our living spaces with character and elegance.

I draw inspiration from the basic elements of earth, water, fire and air.  I am motivated to create works with proportion and balance.

I believe pottery is a celebration and reflection of ourselves. Whether I am forming a vase that becomes a focal point of the room, or creating dinnerware that celebrates a happy meal, or even shaping a teapot with its own complexity and abstractness to share a quiet moment in the day. I strive to make pieces that nourish the soul.