Brenda Lichman

I love the design and detail that ceramicist Brenda Lichman puts into her work. She is fascinated by the process of ceramics and loves leaving her individual touch and personality on each piece she creates. I was drawn to them because I am currently creating pieces that have some wavy edges, and I love how she handles this detail in her work. She says in her statement on artaxis.org that she adds thick slips to the outer surface of her pieces, which give them soft fluid contours. After seeing the effect that this has on the finished piece, I think I would like to try this technique in my own work and see if I like it. I also love the coloring on her vessels, which is something I am still thinking about for the set I am making right now in class. I have the overall design of the pieces in my mind, but I am unsettled on a color scheme or specific glaze... but I love the one directly above this paragraph... such lovely reds and browns. 

Brenda is currently working as a studio potter and teaching in Wichita, Kansas Check out more of her work on http://www.artaxis.org/ceramics/lichman_brenda/brenda_lichman.html. (All images from artaxis.org).

Simon Levin

These pieces by Simon Levin are from a series he did in 2007-2008, found on accessceramics.org. My attraction to them, other than their fantastic glazing and use of color, was their surface textures. I especially love the vase just above on the left that has the angular grid type of pattern with the soft tan and salmon colored glazing, interrupted by what almost looks like a soaring asteroid (or falling orange slice... either one). I am also a huge fan of the tumbler at the very top of these images, which almost has the appearance of lightning crackling to the ground on a rainy afternoon. 

I would love to know how Levin achieved these visual relationships and contrasts, but it seems like they would be impossible to imitate since he has created not only his own pieces, but also his own clay, his own kiln, has determined the length and qualities of each firing, and then responded to the individual results. Thus, these pieces are completely unique to Levin, and I love that. He states in his "Philosophy" on his website that he works in this way, is in control of all these steps in the process, in order to really connect himself with the pottery. And he loves the intimate relationship that one can have with the piece after it is finished: the time they spend holding the cup, cradling it in their hands, touching it to their lips...interacting with that object. 

I love this as well. These personal touches on objects we use daily make them so much more precious and enjoyable. When I reach into my cabinet to pull out a bowl in the morning, I always gravitate toward the two I have from ceramicists in Nevada, and each time I use them I admire their individual qualities, knowing they were made and designed by people I knew. Levin quoted his friend on the home page of his website, who said this, "I find that when we are setting the table or doing dishes that we linger over our pottery a little longer. I think it is to take a moment to touch the hands of the person who made it and remember the good times and good friends and good travel that brought that piece to us." This is how I feel when I use those individual pieces of pottery I have. It is more than just a bowl, it is an artwork. I love bringing art into our everyday lives through pottery.

Images from:

 http://accessceramics.org/results/artist/130/

Information from: 

http://simonlevin.com/home and http://simonlevin.com/philosophy

Yoko-Sekino-Bové

"Same old" teapot, 2011

Unsolved mystery sauceboat, 2009

Hanafuda Sake drinking game set (detail), 2011

Hanafuda Sake drinking game set, 2011

"Wedding gift (chamber pot"), 2010

 

 

 

Josh Deweese, American Ceramicist

© Josh DeWeese, Wood Soda Fired Porcelain Liquor Set
10 x 16 x 12 inches, 1999

Basket, Woodfired salt/soda glaze, 2010

Josh Deweese, Woodfired Stoneware Jar, 2007

Oil & Vinegar Set, Stoneware, Salt Glaze, 2007

Pair of mugs, Stoneware, Salt Glaze, 2007

Serving Dish, Wood Fired Stoneware, 1999

 Josh Deweese's interest is in bringing art into the everyday life through the ceramic pieces he makes, "enhancing our experience with food, adorning our homes, and providing a necessary ritual to nourish our soul and mind as well as our bodies," (deweeseart.com/Josh/index.html). This is one of the things that I love so much about ceramics - the mixing of ordinary objects that we use on a daily basis with artworks. I think his pieces do represent this blending very nicely, making his work something that I both respect and admire. I am glad to have found his work so close to the start of our next assignment in class, which is to make our own thrown ceramic set of at least 6 pieces. His "liquor sets" gave me inspiration to make a set of a teapot or jug with two cups and an accompanying tray. I don't know if I can get my glazing to look quite as magnificent as his, but I can do my best. I encourage you to check out Josh's website and other works at deweeseart.com. I also found some of his work posted on accessceramics.org. These two sites are the source of the photos shown here.

Liquor Set, Wood Soda Fired Porcelain, 1999