Although pottery can be a solitary medium, there is an entire village ‘out there’ providing instruction, guidance, ideas and feedback. One clay resource I like is Pottery Making Info. It has virtually connected me to many other clay artists I might never have known, tweaked my creative juices on more than one occasion and posed thoughtful artistic questions to ponder. Despite the fact potters all mimic the basic fundamentals and clay-making actions, each individual artist leaves a unique personal impression on the clay to make it their own.
When I began to use more hand-building techniques and get away from throwing on the potter's wheel, I wanted to add an organic nature to my creations. This 'quilted bowl' made in 2008, was one of my early attempts to loosen up.
The most recent query posed by Pottery Making Info: ’What do you hope people experience when they view/use your work?’ piqued my interest this week. It’s a great question and also has me thinking about the experience I have with the pottery I’ve purchased from other artists. I think there is more than one simple answer to this question.
I often purchase pottery I don’t/can’t make myself. I bought this vase from a craft store many years ago. I love the simplicity of the form and how the glaze emphasized the texture of the clay. I also like the wire handle. The organic nature captured in this vase was my goal.
I have bought lots of pottery at craft shows and enjoy the opportunity to buy directly from an artist. I get to see a variety of pieces made by that individual and choose one that I like. Each time I use that purchase, I think of the artist and appreciate our encounter. I bought this mug at a local art fair when we moved back to Maryland a few years ago. I love the shape, glaze and feel of this piece.
In addition to using pottery I purchase, I also display pieces I've bought throughout my house. The rustic bowl was made by a friend, the brushes were created by a fellow classmate in a community clay studio and the vase with clay flowers was purchased from a fantastic craft gallery where I worked when I lived in Charlotte, N.C. All of these purchases connect with a fond memory.
So my answer to the Pottery Making Info question is guided by the pottery purchases I have made along the way. I'd like the owners of ClayByLaura pieces to share the sense of fun I have when I create; I like my clay art to portray my artistic identity and be recognizable as made by me; I like functionality and like hearing how my pieces are used. Overall, I want to connect the pleasure I receive in making art to those that end up using it.