The Ox

A film about master woodworker Eric Hollenbeck..... and so much more.

What's this film about? What's this film really about?


The Ox from Ben Proudfoot on Vimeo.

Japanese Kokeshi Doll

The tradition of Kokeshi dolls is dated to the early 1800's in northern Japan. Since then they have gone on to become collectibles and tourist souvenirs.

Flower pounding

Here's a new-to-me craft - flower pounding. You use a hammer to pound the color from plant materials into a special 'prepared for dyeing' fabric which can then be used as a wall hanging or other decorative purpose.

The wood turner

This is a nice little video showing a wooden bowl being made on a pole lathe.

Tibetan Blackware Pottery

This video about Tibetan Blackware Pottery makes an interesting companion to yesterday's video on African pottery. There are many similarities, especially the low temperature firing in little more than a bonfire, but a noticeable gender switch and a change in scale and refinement.

African pottery

A fascinating and long video showing pottery being formed and fired in various locations in Africa. The techniques they use include concave mold, convex mold, coiling, direct pull, and hammer and anvil.


Rob Gonsalves - magic realism

Rob Gonsalves is a Canadian painter who describes his style as magic realism, and which perhaps incorporates the surreal style of René Magritte with the perspective of M. C. Escher. His work uses a lot of repetitive patterns that morph from one form to another to create an illusion. In this short documentary he talks some more about his work.