Nod to brutalism in progress, few pieces coming to the shop soon

Another Tangent

I think that a nod to brutalism is warranted in my newest pieces, in that so far at least, they are about the construction and form. Clues are left of their making- you may see the rhythm of their surface left from a cheese grater like tool used to refine the lines and form.

Brutalism arose after the second world war in Europe and typified an aesthetic away from overly decorated representation; it was angular, minimalist, and emphasized function. In rebuilding, it did away with the frills.

In that the aesthetic of these first pieces of 2026 may reference brutalism, It was not my intention.. just a later observation. These works coming into existence.. occurred as late night musings. I've not attempted a form this complicated before, using rolled out slabs of clay. In approaching these pieces, I found that modeling them from poster paper and masking tape has given me a good 'first run' and the ability to alter the form more easily then had I just started with clay. 

These pieces, whose foundation is geometric, using basic angles and shapes, could have been created by AI. But they are staunchly analog, using a ruler and a good eye to create a paper version, which thus provided stencils to use for the clay results. The pieces are imperfect. Can I make an argument that that is the way it should be? 

The first piece I made used a pentagram base. Because this is not a symmetrical shape, building a vase form results in a piece that appears balanced or asymmetric depending on the angle it is viewed. This is best shown here in this short video. I enjoy the 'double take/ or second look this affords the viewer.

My second piece in this vein is a pitcher form. Here a flattened circle is elevated on a slender geometric base and elegantly stretched spout which is off set by a chunky squared off handle. Again... I think that the reason this piece, as with the last one is successful is in the ways it maybe shouldn't 'work'. It holds conflicting elements. It invites contemplation. I could see some folks really disliking these, and some people loving them. I have felt both towards these pitchers (i had a hard time figuring out the handle element), but in the end I enjoy them. While a pitcher is traditionally functional, these pieces have veered into sculptural territory, and function is not their primary goal. 

There is one more piece I am working on which is in the paper phase of construction. It is notable in that I have thrown a vase, in order to cut it apart to reveal a stencil. From this I will build the altered paper version of this vase, finally bringing it back to clay. Where as the viewer will see a bizarre finished piece (well I hope I can bring it to reality), the method of construction from one material to another, and back again, one original technique to another is kind of like a caterpillar cocooning to reinvent itself. 

These pieces without the construction of the paper model are taking about 10 hours each to arrive at this point- constructed but unfired. It has been a while since I have allowed myself that time to work on single pieces. But they intrigue me, so here I am following a tangent that really looks nothing like the work I have made in the last decade.. or ever(?).

SO brutalist they appear now, and the bones will remain... they are only half done. I may leave some unglazed, with finely soft sanded surfaces , or I may try to paint them in running fluid liquid glass... I am not sure yet. What do you think?

PLANTS ON POTS, PLANTS IN POTS

I'll be adding new pots to the shop on Thursday March 19 at 11 am CT. 

It's become a little harder to update the shop online, as I have started to place more emphasis on in person events. I do want to continue to have some offerings for folks that cannot make it to the craft fairs I participate in - so you can expect a few drops a year, but maybe a bit smaller then usual. 

The pots I'll be adding this Friday are from my botanical line of work which was developed over the course of last year. These pieces are made from porcelain which allows for the glazes to be very bright and saturated against the white surface. They are each carved individually, with a dark inlay glaze to bring out the image, followed by painted accents and a final dip. I have been exploring this technique first on platters, where the glaze sits on the surface exactly where it is laid, almost like a jeweled water color; and later on vertical surfaces where the fluid glazes create sheaths of color down the body of the vase.

Inspiration: The botanical series is inspired by bounty, fruitfulness (literally) and a love of vintage botanical watercolor studies. I enjoy how these depictions of plants historically served an educational purpose, thus depicted a plant often with fruit and flowers in a naturalistic way, even though the species not actually show the flower and fruit stage in the same season. 

Platters are 13.5" x 7.5" - they are food safe, and are a lovely decor element. 3 will be listed, two in the ocher yellow, one in blush pink.

Pedestal Vases (about 10" tall)

After discovering that I rather liked pushing the glaze to run on the vertical surface, I started to twice fire many of these pieces to remelt the glaze, often adding more glaze before the second firing. The illustration remains but becomes more abstracted and obscured. These depict orange and lemon botanicals. 

Oil Cruet (20 oz capacity)- I will have a few in olive motif, and orange blossom carvings. Note that the ocher yellow cruet is slightly smaller (16 oz) and will be priced accordingly. Cruets are dimpled on one side to make grasping more functional.

Small Cups (10-11 oz)  with orange or lemon carving.

Marbled Works (7-8" h)

A few more fully marbled and carved forms will be added to the shop. These are thrown thick to hold the deep carved lines, and they do retain a bit of weight. They are stable, and volumious with a surface that moves and pulls the eye with interwoven flowing lines. The surface is sanded extra smooth, they invite touch. 

My Favorite Gardener's Vase (about 6.75" h)

Chrysanthemums became a new addition to the garden last year- the blooms were spectacular- I am amazed how many petals can erupt from a bloom. You can't fault me for ordering 10 new varieties to try this year.

A few choice blooms display beautifully in the flared marbled vase - a swirling form that opens generously with a turquoise or dark metallic bronze interior. The narrow neck splays a few flowers, but can also hold quite a lot. This understated vase makes a wonderful gift to gardeners as fresh flower season is right around the corner.

I'll have 8 to choose from- while they all sport the narrow neck and flared opening, the forms are unique, so they are listed individually.

Finally- I added gold lustered rims to a few lemon themed pieces- so they are re-released to the shop with new pictures-

This shop update is the pre-amble to closing the shop for a bit. I'll be receiving a hip replacement at the end of the month, which I am very much looking forward to. This surgery will address me breaking my hip a few years ago. Since the replacement recommendation things are just getting worse. I'm looking forward to even being able to walk at a regular pace, and longer then a couple blocks. Needless to say, things will slow down a bit in pottery-land. I have been applying to craft shows late spring/and into the summer, and I'll be creating again just as soon as I can. 

Lastly- I am teaching a Wednesday afternoon beginners/intermediate wheel throwing and hand building class in St Charles this summer at Fine Line Creative Arts Center. I'm excited to meet fellow clay folks in my community, and if you have wanted to take a more in depth class with me & your in the area, this is your chance! Class is not available for sign up yet, but I will update when it is!

I hope you are well- sending love, and as always thank you for looking,

Emilie