Artistically and athletically inclined since childhood, Dawn did a lot of drawing and painting in her formative years, while lettering in three different sports. In college she began training both in Judo and traditional Karate while studying filmmaking, and subsequently earned her B.A in Motion Picture Technology. After graduation, however, she detoured into a career in the IT industry for ten years during which she realized she was a visual artist at heart. In 2004 she re-enrolled part-time at the University of Central Florida to pursue her B.F.A in Studio Art.

During her studies, she discovered the wonders of clay, and in particular, hand made teapots. Her skills and interests with this medium turned to creating Yixing inspired teapots with an Asian/Martial Arts flair - a homage to her training in the martial arts as an art form and reflective of the "dô", or "the way".

Each teapot is hand made from start to finish with a special clay mixture; nothing is slip cast or thrown on a potter's wheel, so no two are exactly the same. Functional works of art, they are very light and unglazed, typical of most Yixing pots, and go through a two-step firing process. They are also signed both with her English and Chinese chop signatures.

In purchasing a teapot, you are buying a quality pot, lovingly crafted. They make great gifts for teapot collectors, tea connoisseurs, martial art Masters, or for Black belt promotions. In addition, you are also helping her to continue with her Fine Art studies for which she is grateful. Think of it as contributing to her scholarship fund while receiving a functional work of art in return.

Pricing and Ordering

There are three slightly differing styles of Obi Tea pots, along with a Pearl of Wisdom Tea pot. Each is approximately average size, enough for a little over two American sized cups of coffee/tea.

The two Obi Teapots without the belt falling down the side, are $225.

The Pearl of Wisdom Teapot and Obi Teapot with the belt falling down the side are both $250.

Shipping and Handling is not included, and is an additional cost added to the final cost at time of shipping.

Orders/deposits can be taken for the teapots (50% of the teapot price) before summer, however production of the pots will not begin until May '08. It will take approximately two to three weeks to complete each one, and orders will be processed as they come in, i.e. first come, first (deposit) served.

To Order Please contact Dawn at TeaPots@kumadojoassoc.org

***Kuma Dojo Association highly recommends this artist work!!!