About the
Artist...
I
discovered clay as a sophomore in college fifteen years ago.
It captured my heart, my intellect and my creative
expression in a powerful way. I knew immediately that my
life would revolve around this beautiful material. I
finished my degree in elementary education, all the while
sneaking into the ceramic studio on campus during the wee
hours of the night, spending every available moment
developing my skill. I taught elementary school for two
years and proceeded to Virginia Commonwealth University to
study Ceramics. I have devoted my life first to my family
and second to my own expression through clay.
Each
one-of-a-kind piece is wheel thrown on the potter's wheel or
hand constructed out of clay slabs. I paint my designs with
black underglaze on the unfired clay body. I then use a
technique called sgraffito to scratch into the surface to
achieve greater detail. The work is bisque fired, clear
glazed, and fired a second time to 2300 degrees. Asian art
has long been an influence in my work - my childhood home
was filled with Asian furniture, tapestries, scroll
paintings, and sculpture. I am further influenced by both
traditional and contemporary textile patterns as well as
traditional botanical motifs. I choose to limit my surface
work to black and white with occasional splashes of color as
I enjoy the graphic and stimulating effect. The use of a
clear glaze highlights the subtle texture of the porcelain
body.
My
experience as an educator has served me tremendously well as
I now teach handbuilding and wheel throwing to adults and
children in the community out of my home studio. I find the
process of interacting with students - encouraging their
growth, creativity, and perceptiveness - has improved my own
work and enriched my life as an artist.
Open SUNDAY from 10 AM - 5
PM |
Kristen Swanson
Ceramics
