Clay

Miller, Shelley

Focal Point

Clay

I have a creative background earning a BFA in graphic design, working as a graphic artist and photographer before beginning my work with polymer clay. I love the creativity that this medium allows and the surprise each new piece brings. I love color and whimsical designs and strive to bring that out in my work.

I create my designs using various techniques to combine the different colors of clay into the patterns and designs that you see on my work. Nothing is painted on. Sometimes only the clay is used to design my piece and sometimes it is created over an existing object made of glass or ceramic.

I hope you enjoy my work and that it can add an element of whimsical delight to your life and your home.

focalpoint.shop

Kirk, Roger

Kirk Ceramics

Clay

The founder of Kirk Ceramics, Roger Kirk, makes functional and decorative ceramics in his studio in Washington, D.C. He also teaches high school and adult ceramics classes in Montgomery County, MD.

Roger has been making ceramics since 2009, when he took his first ceramics class at UCLA. Many failed and successful pots later, he sells his work at markets and through his website.

Roger’s style is inspired by traditional English and Japanese pottery, but with a contemporary twist. He hopes the handmade feel, functionality, and professional finish of his ceramics will help to make people’s homes happier places to live.

kirkceramics.com

Linthicum, Lori

Heart’s Desire Pottery

Clay

As a gardener comfortable in the dirt, Linthicum finds satisfaction using that same type of medium, clay, to try and replicate Nature’s art.

Porcelain allows her to create a three dimensional, tactile effect and try to bring native habitat to life for others to enjoy year round in their homes and gardens.

Through handbuilding, slabwork and coiling the clay is manipulated into buds breaking from the surface just as real blossoms spring from the soil. Mason stains and underglazes give a wide palette to paint the details, then a clear glaze is added and fire to cone 6. Some pieces are further enhanced with lusters.

Some regular visitors may recognize Lori’s work from the Old Mill Shop, where she has sold for many years.

HeartsDesirePottery.net

Kesler, Jonathan

Earthly Arts

Clay

My intention is the integration of art, nature, and the ‘everyday’ life of the patron. This I attempt to accomplish via the creation of forms that may, if desired, have a broad practical functionality which so-by leads to inclusiveness with the life flow of the patron. In turn the subjective art travels with the action creating a bridge for the suggestive surface imagery to promote its theme which is, specifically, nature. Each aspect has a rebounding circular path that in its totality proffers resonance. The art feeds on itself which ‘feeds’ the patron on multiple levels. Such is my intention.

EarthlyArtsPottery.com

Kennedy, Selinda

Kennedy Redware Pottery

Clay

I am a historic redware potter since 1986. I employ historic folk art on slab technique redware pottery. I use mason stain and slip and underglazes.

facebook.com/kennedyredware

Savely, Clay

Tree of Life Potters

Clay

This unique form of ceramics is created from hand-built stoneware clay slabs designed with tedious impressions of Appalachian plants set delicately into patterns and mandalas that are highlighted by iron-oxides and various glazes. Honoring the vast botanical realms of the Appalachian bio-region, each platter, plate, vase, mug, bowl, and jewelry piece is handcrafted and as unique as the plants that were impressed into them. This technique has been passed down from a university level trained father to son, and is inspired by visionary art, indigenous mysticism and the powerful magic found in the lush forests of the Blue Ridge mountains.

The true vision of my art is to reconnect humanity to love and the eloquent healing powers of nature through connection, inspiration, and deeper understanding, thus creating a mutual respect and intention to heal the wounds of our heavily impacted planet.

TreeofLifePotters.com

Piazza, Anne

Anne StClair Collection

Clay

Each porcelain ornament or egg features colorful raised detail, providing both visual and textural elements. Piazza strive to convey an emotion with every piece, the response being unique to each individual. Memories of holidays, family, history, or whimsy may all come to mind, the ultimate goal being the creation of future heirlooms to be passed down through generations.

Piazza has chosen porcelain as her medium, as it is smooth and refined in texture but also extremely strong. This clay body is most appropriate for the intricate raised artwork, the signature of her work. The pieces are cast from original molds.

Technique: This is a modification of the historical slip trailing technique used by potters throughout the centuries. The contemporary adaptation to the use of syringes provides the method for capturing the tiniest of detail.

All pieces are signed and dated by Anne Piazza, and include a certificate of authenticity.

Steinhagen, Erich & Janice

Steinhagen Pottery

Clay

2021 Artisans of the Year
Steinhagen’s work draws heavily on the redware pottery produced in the 18^th century by potters in England and by the Pennsylvania German tradition. They create forms that mirror the everyday plain mugs, bowls, and plates used in homes across the American colonies, and take special delight in reproducing unusual and decorative forms – puzzle mugs, harvest jugs, pierced double-walled pieces, sculptural posset pots. They conduct ongoing research (both here and in England) to gain a deeper understanding of the breadth of work produced by early potters. Steinhagen often uses their findings as a springboard to create original works that speak to the traditions of the past and connect them to the present day.

Erich’s been a potter since he was in high school. We met in college in western Pennsylvania when we were both art majors, 45 years ago. He kept up with the pottery as a side gig through three kids and 30 years in a 9 to 5 job, but it wasn’t until about 20 years ago that Janice finally gave in to his encouragement to try sgraffito on his pottery. That’s when our work really took off. All the wheel and sculptural work is done by Erich; Janice does the sgraffito, and also makes slump-molded plates, brooches and ornaments.

We enjoy collaborating to create an interplay of the clay forms and the inscribed motifs, which freely borrow from both Pennsylvania German and British folk pottery traditions. And the use of text (again, a traditional design element for both German and British styles) speaks to Janice’s 40-year career as a journalist and wordsmith. One of our favorite current projects is creating mugs with quotes from our founding fathers and mothers, ranging from George Washington and Alexander Hamilton to Abigail Adams and poet Phillis Wheatley. Their words resonate even more deeply today, and we love engaging people in history through stirring words that speak to the present moment.

SteinhagenPottery.com