Artist of the Day: Smiling Cow Studio

by Carole Epp | Dec 22, 2009 | Uncategorized

In case you don’t remember I first introduced you to Adrienne and Zack of Smiling Cow Studio back during April’s Artist of the Day posts (see that post here). And by the looks of these images, they’ve been busy! I’m loving the new imagery on this work, quite different from the pieces I showed last time. Interesting choice of subject matter and interesting how both have gravitated towards imagery. I love the playful nature of this work and the elegant simplicity of the marriage of design and image.

Here’s the bio:
Zach’s formal training was at the Alberta College of Art and design. He lives in Maple Creek, SK, where he and his wife run Smiling Cow Studio, a small pottery run out of the covered in veranda of their 1914 house.
statement:
Zach works in porcelain, and enjoys letting the material dictate the form. He is interested in the dichotomy of rural and city; nature and industry. He uses iconic imagery to explore these themes.

Read more about Adrienne and Zack on their blog and make sure to stop by their online store.

Artist of the Day: William Baker

by Carole Epp | Dec 21, 2009 | Uncategorized

I always like reading in bios how an artist found clay and turned a complete 180 from what they were previously doing, in William’s case a BA in International Political Economy. That magical draw of the clay is just so powerful! Well I’m sure I speak for more that myself when I say that William made the right choice as he is an incredible potter and I’m sure that this spectacular functional work is as enjoyable to use as it is to look at.

Artist Statement
As a ceramic artist I explore the potter’s wheel and the use of atmospheric firing methods as my primary tools. The dynamic interaction between the malleable, versatile clay and the steady motion of the wheel first enthralled me, and continues to challenge and humble me everyday. It is this interaction that inspires the forms I create, and which influences the movements of my hands as they meet the clay. Each piece is a record of the union of these forces.

My current work reflects my continuing attempt to find a balance between the requirements of function, and the subtle details which give a form the strength to stand alone and yet still remain receptive to the marks of the fire. I choose to create mostly functional work because I enjoy the intimacy with which these pieces can be experienced. For me, knowing that a piece of my pottery will be filled with nourishment and held closely on a daily basis only adds to the beauty of that piece and to the attention to detail it deserves. As each piece takes form between my hands one thousand thoughts fill my head; of strong form, proper function, and firing surface. I am creating not just a bowl or cup or jar, but a pot with all the possible expressions of the human personality. I form the structure, the bones, of the pot thinking ahead towards the firing chamber. Building on this structure I refine the surface until the taut skin reveals the intentional elements of the seemingly simple form. And then I send the pot into the fire, standing naked and unadorned, with only its strength to protect it and its softness to accept the flames which wrap around it.

All work is wheel thrown, altered, wood and soda fired to cone 10.

William Baker Bio
1999-2000 Finished undergraduate studies with a BA in International Political Economy
Discovered wheel-throwing and the existence of potters, began trying to make up
for “lost” time.
2002—2004 Resident Artist at the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Asheville, North Carolina Discovered salt and soda firing
2005-Present Studio potter working in the mountains of Western North Carolina
2005-2006 worked with a cross draft gas/soda kiln
2007 built my wood burning cross draft soda kiln, which has allowed me to produce my mostly functional pottery and focus on the wood/soda firing process

Website:
www.williambakerpottery.com
also:
www.williambakerpottery.com/blog
www.williambaker.etsy.com