the potter
With mixed heritage roots, I was born in the Philippines, and my family immigrated to Toronto before I turned one year old.
Kagawong, located on the beautiful Island of Manitoulin in Ontario, is where my husband and I now call home. I met my husband in 2007, and we spent our summers in the family home (established in 1987). In 2017, I founded the Facebook group "Ontario Bonsai Community" with the hope of promoting the art of Bonsai across all regions of Ontario. The group has now grown to over four thousand members.
In 2020, we began the process of making Manitoulin our permanent residence. Living in Kagawong continues to enrich our lives with its beauty and tranquility. I strive to maintain a positive attitude and live my best life.
I am dedicated to practicing the traditional arts of bonsai, collecting exquisite orchids, and honing my skills as a ceramicist. As a full-time small-batch potter, I am able to align my passions and make pottery my vocation. You will often find me in the studio, creating artisan bonsai and orchid pots day and night, seven days a week.
One thing that has been evident to me since a very young age is my love for creating with my hands.
Through my personal and professional experiences, as well as my travels, I have encountered and embraced diversity in culture, food, art, and music. With the unwavering support of my husband, I am able to draw inspiration from these experiences and channel my creativity into crafting unique pottery.
Ceramics play a significant role in the art of bonsai and orchid cultivation. Finding the perfect pot is essential to giving your bonsai tree authenticity, as bonsai is an art form that respects the tree's natural environment. Similarly, selecting the appropriate orchid pot is crucial for enhancing the beauty and value of the orchid.
My creations are deeply influenced by my Japanese heritage. In 2016, I embarked on a journey into ceramics, where the merging of my passions transformed into my life's calling. "I firmly believe that immersing oneself in the disciplines of bonsai is crucial to fully grasp the essence of this timeless art." Recognizing the crucial link between ceramics and its artistic applications, both ancient and contemporary, I dedicate myself to crafting artisan bonsai pots and orchid pots.
Today, I am privileged to share my passion with the world. In discovering this deep connection between my pursuits and purpose, I have truly found my Ikigai.