Speaking of the wonders of Medicine Hat, today is another example of an artist who has worked at the Medalta AIR (I promise I’m not getting a commission for speaking so highly of Medalta) and who has since been returning to fire more gorgeous work in their soda kiln. I love the range, yet cohesion of the design elements in Rob’s work. And I can assure you that they are even more lovely to behold in person. Today’s artist is yet again more proof of the high quality of work found on the Canadian prairies.

Artist Statement:
Working with texturing and layering techniques, I make ceramic tableware (cups, bowls, slab plates) that is both sculptural and utilitarian.

Living in Japan for 11 years in close contact with Japanese culture and culinary customs has had a great influence on my life and work. Mainly, this experience has made me more aware of the importance of clay colour and texture in pottery in relation to the tactile experience of using a dish. Experimenting with local clays in Japan, Mexico and in my native Saskatchewan, as well as using prepared clays, I have centered my interest on the way the qualities of a particular clay and slip inspire surface form and function.

photos: Gabriela Garcia-Luna

Well if you haven’t already spent your last earnings on boxing day blowout sales you should consider stopping by Elizabeth’s etsy shop for some gorgeous ceramic jewelery. I’m so tempted….and I’m starting to wonder what is in the water in Medicine Hat as there is so much incredible work being produced there. I’d love to see these pieces in person as I’m sure the imagery is even more stunning in person.

Elizabeth Burritt is an artist and designer who has had the good fortune in the last 3 years to live by the ocean, in the mountains and on the prairie. Her practice includes such media as ceramics, textiles and graphic design and has come to involve creating human life in a recent collaborative project. She currently lives with her husband, daughter and dog in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

“My ceramic practice includes vessel making, sculpture and most recently jewelry. It’s heavily weighted toward surface considerations. Most pieces are made of unglazed porcelain with hand-drawn, monochromatic decoration. The imagery on my work comes from my immediate environment and has transitioned from urban to rural accordingly.”
etsy link: elizabethburritt.etsy.com
(Congrats on that “collaborative project”, Elizabeth. I’m sure it’s keeping you busy!)

BIO:

Today you get an extra artist of the day thrown in just for fun as I’ve been dying to share the work of Chandra Stubbs with you. I’m loving the combination of felt and clay.

These pieces are hand made needle felted Merino wool encased in extruded and hand thrown porcelain. Clear celadon glaze, gas fired to cone 9.

The following are slab constructed stoneware clay with paper clay and felt accents. Shino glazed with raw ash application, gas fired to cone 10 in a reduction atmosphere. Hand needle felted Merino wool accents.

Here’s her bio:

“Over the past twenty years I have evolved from a third generation production potter to mixed media fine art sculpture. My current work combines stoneware and porcelain clay with my love of needle felted wool. I like the control and detail needle felting allows me. I am able to create wonderful texture and pops of color. The wool compliments the hard surface of the clay and I find the combination both familiar and comforting. I show my work at fine craft shows and art venues across the United States. I am a current member of the American Craft Council.”
View her web site www.chandrastubbs.com for current show schedule and more samples of her work.

Jaimianne’s work seems fitting to show today as around the holidays it always seems that we take a few extra minutes to consider and do what we can for those less fortunate in the world and in our communities. I find this work to be quite striking and poignant. They stand as reminders of the bigger picture, about priorities. And are quite visually appealing as well. Enjoy and best to you all this holiday season.

Artist Statement
I find an object in nature, or a depressing image of a child and am inspired. As an artist I believe everything holds it’s own beauty and that beauty is my ambition to capture. Whether I work in my favorite mediums of clay and detailed wirework, or less appealing substances, like charcoal and oil paints, that bit of beauty is my goal. I favor creating more practical, useful pieces of work. I also like to focus closely on texture, my favorite element of design. My art is a display of intimacy with a researched object and my medium.

Artist Bio
I am currently a senior getting my BFA this spring from Finlandia University with a concentration in ceramics. My first solo exhibit was in 2008 titled “The Eternal Search for Truth”. I plan on perusing residencies in the near future and look forward to the adventure of traveling.

Best of luck with the completion of your BFA Jaimianne. Do keep us posted as you complete the work for the exhibition.

Make sure as well to check out Jaimianne’s blog ceramicthought.blogspot.com for more info about the work, and also because it’s a great resource for info about residency opportunities.