Josef
Klingler Jr. is a Chicago artist working in a variety
of creative realms. Josef Studied at The Art Institute
of Chicago, Columbia College,
The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts and The Evanston
Art Center. While on a vacation in Japan a few years ago,
he was inspired by the awesome beauty of Japanese architecture
and crafts. In Kasama, Japan, Josef was admiring
a group of well known potters at work. He asked one artist
if he could try his hand at the potters wheel, and after
a short demonstration, Josef completed a series of small
but attractive bowls and cups, shocking the Japanese potters
with his immediate success. This was Josef's initiation
into ceramics. Josef continued his studies when he returned
to Chicago. Studying under Karen Avery, Xiaosheng Bi and
learning much from others at Lillstreet Art Center. These
beautiful, one-of-a-kind miniature teapots are largely
inspired by his sojourn in Japan. Not having nor desiring
much formal instruction in teapot design and construction,
Josef has developed and continues todevelop a truly unique
approach. These
miniatures started out as small prototypes for larger
pieces. Josef immediately realized that the 2 to 8 inch
pieces had their own unique visual power. They now have
become a bit of an obsession. The teapots presented here
are each individually hand-made on a potters wheel using
red terra-cotta clay .
Hand built handles, knobs and other embellishments are
added. Carving and sculpting may also be employed. A combination
of
experimental underglazes and glazes are meticulously applied.
They go through a series of firings and re-glazing to
achieve the colors and textures that Josef wishes to and
sometimes is surprised to attain. Each Piece is carefully
considered, handled and created as an individual work
of art. If one had the notion to use the teapots, they
are food safe, but because of their size and delicate
nature their primary function is purely aesthetic.
Josef
Klingler Jr. is a Chicago artist working in a variety
of creative realms. Josef Studied at The Art Institute
of Chicago, Columbia College,
a group of well known potters at work. He asked one artist
if he could try his hand at the potters wheel, and after
a short demonstration, Josef completed a series of small
but attractive bowls and cups, shocking the Japanese potters
with his immediate success. This was Josef's initiation
into ceramics. Josef continued his studies when he returned
to Chicago. Studying under Karen Avery, Xiaosheng Bi and
learning much from others at Lillstreet Art Center. These
beautiful, one-of-a-kind miniature teapots are largely
inspired by his sojourn in Japan. Not having nor desiring
much formal instruction in teapot design and construction,
Josef has developed and continues todevelop a truly unique
approach. 
These
miniatures started out as small prototypes for larger
pieces. Josef immediately realized that the 2 to 8 inch
pieces had their own unique visual power. They now have
become a bit of an obsession. The teapots presented here
are each individually hand-made on a potters wheel using
red terra-cotta clay .
experimental underglazes and glazes are meticulously applied.
They go through a series of firings and re-glazing to
achieve the colors and textures that Josef wishes to and
sometimes is surprised to attain. Each Piece is carefully
considered, handled and created as an individual work
of art. If one had the notion to use the teapots, they
are food safe, but because of their size and delicate
nature their primary function is purely aesthetic.