Seeking human contact

At a time when many of us feel overwhelmed by the 24/7 demands of the digital world, simplifying and seeking human contact are being looked to as something of an antidote to the stresses and pressures of modern living.

Drinking a beverage from a handmade tea bowl just tastes better. The weight, texture, comfort and overall aesthetic contributes to the taste — and there’s no other container that fits as perfectly in your hand as a ceramic mug.

With what is increasingly referred to today as “mindfulness” being a much-desired quality for many people, it's not surprising original, one-of-a-kind art is being sought out for their mental and even physical benefits. We want to see, feel and touch something made by an artist, to feel the human connection and be reassured it is still there. People are moving away from the mass produced item and seeking out the unique and personal one instead.

When you buy ceramics from an artist, you're buying more than an object. You are buying years of learning and practicing. You are buying originality and authenticity — the skill of the maker with the magic of their imagination.

When we use an “artist-made” piece, it becomes a celebration of our contemporary lives and gives us a connection to ancient artisans and to those of the future.

I work by hand and with a potter’s wheel. My work ranges from clean lines to heavy texture; from gesturally organic marks colored with oxides, to layers of highly refined color with rich finishes. Some is artfully functional and some is sculpture. Some pieces are sassy and others refined.

Find ceramic art that resonates for you. Give them as gifts or take them home. Do NOT just put them away in a cupboard. Use them. Love them.