emerging artist: Rachel Donner

by | Apr 12, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday


“Within
me there is a vital want to constantly use my hands. The most
appropriate way I have found to do this is through the creation of
functional ceramic objects. I strive to make work that is lighthearted
in appearance while relatively simple in form and function. Through use
of multiple surface decoration techniques, I depict simple patterns and
shapes inorder to create intrigue through variation in depth and
texture. I aim to create clean surfaces and forms by practicing a mildly
meditative style of working in order to maintain handmade sensibility. I
find with each object I make and decorate that I am struck by new ideas
for design and form, never quite feeling satisfied and always expanding
upon my ideas. Creating functional items is something that I find
compelling and humbling. With my pots I intend to create a space that
someone can momentarily find solace in while using. “ – Rachel Donner

www.racheladonner.com

monday morning eye candy: Courtney Murphy

by | Mar 31, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday


Courtney Murphy
www.courtneymurphy.net
www.courtneymurphy.etsy.com
Artist Statement
My designs are influenced by simplified
abstractions of nature, children’s artwork, folk art, mid-century modern
objects and textiles, books, thoughts and conversations.  More recently I have been looking at
pattern and interactions of color. I tend to work slowly, and I’m attracted to
clean simple forms.  I pay careful
attention to line, both in my drawing, and in the profiles or outlines of the
forms themselves.
I
am intrigued by the details and imperfections found in hand-made objects, and
the ways in which these marks reflect the maker of the piece.  A slight change in the profile or image
on a cup determines whether a person will be drawn to one over another.  Bringing a new piece of pottery into my
home brings a small clue into the life of the maker, what they were interested
in, and perhaps what they were thinking at the time.  Subtle details that you might not notice right away become
evident through the passage of time and continued daily interaction.
I
love creating functional work because of the personal connection created when
the work leaves my studio to become a part of somebody else’s  routine.  So many important moments in life are centered around the
table.  Cooking and preparing food
can bring people together in celebration. 
The presentation of food can be enhanced and complemented by a beautiful
serving piece.  Handmade pots can
also play a large role in quieter times, when you share a cup of coffee or
glass of wine with a friend.  When
I look in my kitchen cabinets, I am reconnected to experiences of the past few
years.  Each handmade dish holds
it’s own history and connection to a particular time and place.  It’s nice to have these personal
objects help preserve the memories of the places I have been and the people I
have met.