Tree of Life Potters
Clay
Honoring the vast botanical realms of the Appalachian bio-region, each platter, plate, vase, mug, bowl, or jewelry piece is handcrafted and as unique as the plants that were impressed into it. 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.
This unique form of ceramics is created from hand-built stoneware clay slabs designed with tedious impressions of local plants set delicately into patterns and mandalas that are highlighted by iron-oxides and various glazes. Using refined hand building techniques, our pottery is created by impressing flowers, ferns, leaves and tree bark delicately into stoneware clay. After the piece is formed and plants are pulled out, it is bisque fired. After a thorough sanding process, an iron-oxide stain is applied and wiped off negative space tediously to leave the stain in the impressions. Occasionally glaze is painted into leaves to mimic natural color. After a final glaze firing, the piece is vivid and functional.