Jade Paton is a Cape Town-based ceramic artist creating contemporary, functional sculptures from clay. Elemental forms and raw, natural textures are juxtaposed with saturated, otherworldly colors resulting in vessels that feel at once ancient, and futuristic. With a background in sculpture–Jade graduated from Michaelis School of Fine Art in 2013—working with clay and crafting three dimensional objects came naturally. “My approach is instinctual rather than cerebral,” says Jade. “It has to feel right – the proportions, textures and color have to work in harmony. I don’t force anything.”

This week we launch a series of Jade Paton ceramics – vases, bowls, candle holders - alongside two larger sculptural vessels created in collaboration with the artist, and that will be available as made to order. Lamps, with handwoven grass shades, are coming soon. Below Jade answers a few questions on her process and the multidisciplinary community of contemporary South African creatives that inspire her.

What is the most precious object in your studio? The first vase I made. It serves to remind me of what I have managed to achieve.

Genna Shrosbree is a South African designer working with natural dyes sustainably sourced from seasonally available ‘fallen matter’. Think avocado pips and pecan nut shells (resulting in shades of dusty pink) dried Fynbos flowers (for earthy greens and yellows) and blue gum bark (for subtle grey tones). Under her Cape Town- based brand Beagle + Basset, Genna creates a line of naturally dyed linens, clothing and accessories, including the deliciously soft, wide-brimmed sun hats we have available through Karu.

Below, Genna answers a few questions on her experiments with natural color and craft.

What inspires your use of color? It's not so much about what inspires my color, but more about what is being provided by nature itself. I only extract pigment from fallen matter, so the colors I get are based on the available plants that are being discarded at the time, seasonally.

How do you discover new colors? I initially started experimenting with fynbos as it is indigenous to the Western Cape, and there was very little research available. I first collected blue gum bark which is rich in tannins and resulted in lovely tea browns and dove greys. My use of pecan nut shells and shucks came to me via Bob and Sarah at Roux Pecans in the Eastern Cape, who contacted me one day to find out whether I'd ever used pecan shells to dye with. I was overjoyed to receive my first box of shells, and see the dusty pinks emerge [in the dye bath].

Creative Director Brianna Lance in New York

Photography by Natalie Marie Gehrels

Creative director, musician, artist, editor, muse—Brianna Lance’s prolific creativity can’t be confined to any one medium or style. From once heading up design at Reformation to contributing to cult magazine So It Goes, or putting on sporadic exhibitions of her otherworldly watercolors—everything Brianna does, she does with the air of a modern day New York ingenue.

But beyond the stylish, it-girl aura of Brianna is a soulful sweetness loved by her friends, evident in her work as an artist—and also tangible within the grounded, plant-filled space she creates to live, dance and paint in.

We photographed Brianna in Brooklyn, wearing pieces from the summer 2019 collection, and learned about her love for Oprah, English Ivy, and afternoons.

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When are you / {Lucie/Michael} happiest

Lucie:

Finding good shells is definitely one of my favorite pastimes. Also swimming in the sea, eating lots and lots of popcorn or pasta, and sketching for myself.
Michael likes sharding, or shell collecting, I think shell collecting tops sharding (sharding is our made up word for finding shards of old ceramics).

Michael:

I’m happiest when I am sharding (looking for shards of ancient blue and white porcelain) in very old vineyards.
Lucie is happiest when she is at a party and drawing scenes of it in one of her notebooks. She gets to be creative and social at the same time—a true gemini!

What is your / {Lucie’s/Michael’s} favourite time of day?

Lucie:

Early morning first thing! That’s when I’ve have quiet time and listen to my audiobooks, make my ceramic shells and drink coffee.
Michael loves the evenings because that’s when he goes up the mountain or drinks wine and eats Clarkes chips!

Michael:

I never thought I’d say this, but I love the morning! I wake up and make a moka pot of coffee, which I drink out of the finest 19th Century porcelain tea cup. I turn on a German opera radio station and then begin to draw or paint some ceramic commission. It sounds naff but it’s the best way to start the day.
Lucie’s favourite time of the day is probably the morning too. In the mornings before work, Lucie likes to create new ceramic shells while she sips away at her back coffee.

What is your / {Lucie’s/Michael’s} favourite plant of flower?

Lucie:

Mine is a Palm tree.
Michael’s are whatever flowers are on the Arita plate (he keeps drawing them over and over.)

Michael:

I am obsessed with Prickly Pears (Opuntia) at the moment!
Lucie doesn’t like flowers that much - so I’d have to say her favourite member of the plant kingdom is a tree - a palm tree.

What phrase or word do you / {Lucie/Michael} say all the time?

Lucie:

Me: “Don't Fill the hole!”
Michael: “Fill the hole!”

Michael:

Me: “Who put this into the rubbish bin? It can be recycled!”
Lucie: “Stuh-ninnnnng!"

What do you love most about sharing a studio space with each other?

Lucie:

Michael is hilarious and inspiring, there is never a dull moment as we are both constantly trying to shape our practice and deal with clients, commissions, exhibition etc so it’s invaluable to have him as my friend to bounce around with ( especially after litres of coffee, then we are literally bouncing and listening to the Matilda soundtrack together!)

Michael:

Constant positivity, constant critical feedback, constant support, constant laughter! My work and world is so much better because of our proximity.

Chandler House is located at 53 Church Street, Cape Town. Follow @chandlerhousect and @mrchandlerhouse on Instagram.

Lucie is preparing for her second show of ceramic shells, opening April 1^st. Follow @lucie.in.wonderlands for her adventures in Cape Town and soon Cannes, where she will be sketching the everyday activities of the annual film festival.

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An Afternoon with Jackie Burger At Her Karoo Retreat

Photography by Ané Strydom

What does the Karoo represent to you?
Solace. Space. Sparsity. Solitude.

How long have you had your home there?
About 10 years. My first encounter with Prince Albert was one of “homecoming”; seeing my home the first time I felt an indescribable sense of belonging.

You founded Salon 58 nearly 4 years ago now – what keeps you inspired to reinvent the concept?
The legacy of the original Parisian salons and their contribution to cultural growth and society at large. Practicing the true art of conversation, hosting inspirational gatherings and collaborating with creatives.

Describe your business philosophy.
Practicing a value system of honesty, integrity and authenticity. Following my intuition and having the courage of conviction to be true to yourself. Celebrating the duality of success and perceived failure. Kindness all around.

Share a quote that embodies your philosophy about creating a home.
“Home is our emotional heartland – a place to restore our balance” ~ Ilse Crawford.

What is the last thing you bought or made for your home?
Prayer Flags.

What is the last book you read?
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.

What is your favorite colour of the Karoo?
Cracked riverbed in slate reminds me of our impermanence and the Karoo’s ancient existence.

What places do you like to stop along the road to Prince Albert?
I love Farm stalls and have a few favourites on route to sample fresh seasonal produce as well as pantry staples such as jams, pickles and preserves.

What is your favorite Spring dish to cook at home in the Karoo.
I rely on fresh produce from the local market and Spring/Summer will most often be alfresco dining on the stoep over generous platters of salads, flat breads and cheese from Gay’s Guernsey Dairy. The abundance of beautiful olives, fresh figs and pomegranates calls for the simplest of dishes with very little effort.

Who is a favorite artist or designer currently working in SA at the moment?
I love FRANCES V.H Mohair Rugs* - celebrating her heritage and practicing sustainability in her craft.
*See Frances' collaboration with Karu here.

Please share an image of what you consider to be an iconic style moment.
It's hard to settle on one. However, this Georgia O' Keeffe image will always remain a favourite.

Where do you plan to travel in the next few months?
No surprises…the Karoo, and also Namibia to visit my brother.

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