MudFire Clayworks Studio and Gallery, residency 2012-2013
Between undergrad and graduate studies, I moved to Atlanta, GA for a year long residency at the AMAZING, MudFire Clayworks Studio and Gallery. After having just putting together my BFA show, which featured decorative, sculptural design, I was itching to get back to the wheel-- approaching utility as a designer. I knew that there needed to be a correlation between the two bodies of work. Like fashion design--and most other branches of design, I set out to create a marketable, affordable line, that would appeal to a wider demographic.
At first, my pots were directly referencing the surfaces of my BFA show. I found that the actual object was acting only as a canvas for surface design. I struggled with the idea of bringing in a "3rd dimension" to the work I viewed as very two dimensional. I also felt that my work was too "tight", in a way that I was losing the evidence of my hand in my work. Through a few experiments and some trial and error (quite a few errors) I have started developing a functional line that I am excited about.
This new line features a clean porcelain form, while the additional slip application on the bottom of each pot gives a loose, tactile element. One of the many reasons I decided to make the slip a dominating element through the entire line, making sure to incorporate in every piece, was the visual contrast between the two surfaces. The forms have an eastern influence, and the surface is a combination of the use of the hounds-tooth pattern and some hand piped underglaze line work.
There is a specific satisfaction I get from making functional pottery. Each piece is intended for use at home, whether it be everyday, or while entertaining guests at a dinner party. I know the enjoyment I get from using quality handmade in my own home, and to imagine my pots in use in yours is very rewarding.
-spring 2013
At first, my pots were directly referencing the surfaces of my BFA show. I found that the actual object was acting only as a canvas for surface design. I struggled with the idea of bringing in a "3rd dimension" to the work I viewed as very two dimensional. I also felt that my work was too "tight", in a way that I was losing the evidence of my hand in my work. Through a few experiments and some trial and error (quite a few errors) I have started developing a functional line that I am excited about.
This new line features a clean porcelain form, while the additional slip application on the bottom of each pot gives a loose, tactile element. One of the many reasons I decided to make the slip a dominating element through the entire line, making sure to incorporate in every piece, was the visual contrast between the two surfaces. The forms have an eastern influence, and the surface is a combination of the use of the hounds-tooth pattern and some hand piped underglaze line work.
There is a specific satisfaction I get from making functional pottery. Each piece is intended for use at home, whether it be everyday, or while entertaining guests at a dinner party. I know the enjoyment I get from using quality handmade in my own home, and to imagine my pots in use in yours is very rewarding.
-spring 2013