If you’re anything like me,
your cupboard has a selection of mugs made from different artists, some mornings I use a joyful light mug made by Toni and another day it's a sturdy strong stein by Gary.
Ah how I cherish those little stolen moments
Nana passed down
the joy of treasure hunting in antique shops, yard sales and flea markets. These finds hold a historic energy and a hidden tale that may only be revealed by its texture or in the cracks that we lovingly call ‘character’. I make molds from these objects and use the castings to embellish my work. They can be found on the edging of a vase, a foot on a plate, or an accent on a tumbler.
How I got here
Sunday afternoons life drawing workshops, sculpting the human figure artist retreats, weekly handbuilding classes and online glaze chemistry studies are a few educational programs that formed my education. Private lessons in drawing and plaster mold making rounded out the knowledge needed to bring my ideas to fruition.
The first few years of my studio practice was an investment in hands-on learning, testing clay bodies and glazes, studying form and function, exploring decorating styles, and getting familiar with kiln firing. I’ve landed on combining handbuilding, wheel throwing and casting techniques to create dynamic functional forms. Handbuilding provides the opportunity to collaborate with the clay's natural movements, the pottery wheel creates clean precise forms, and casting reproduces detailed sculptural elements.
Terra Sigillata
Recently I have been experimenting with the soft translucent layers of Terra Sigillata, underglazes and patina’s to accentuate the subtle patterns and makers' marks. Terra Sigillata is an ancient form of colouring clay slip with stains and oxides to seal and decorate functional ware.
Check out my blog to learn more about the history of Terra Sigillata.
Aha Moment
During a craft market, when a mother purchased a vase for her daughter, I shared with her the piece's origin story.
Nana and I shared the love of flea markets. As a gift for her, I painted an ocean scene in a flea market frame and she proudly hung it in the front room. It stayed there for over 40 years. The frame has the most beautiful arabesque scrollwork. In memory of Nana, I made castings of the scroll work and placed them around the edge of the vase. The piece was then coated with black terra sigillata, with matt gold and aged with patina.
It occurred to me that others related to the innate desire to fill their space with memories of our loved ones. Nana’s frame now hangs above my pottery wheel.
You didn’t
have to
but I’m so glad you did
organizations
Nova Scotia talented potters & ceramic artists, Nova Scotia Potters Guild,
Crafters of all types, Craft Nova Scotia is your starting point.
Local Pictou County Artists, engage with Creative Pictou County.