by Ellen Clancy

9"hx5.75"dx10"w; Multiple glazes, underglaze crayons

"Awake and asleep I dream in clay. I am a hand-builder. The expressiveness of clay leaves me breathless. The stoneware gives play to my emotions and mindful wanderings. It speaks eloquently whether burnished smooth or roughly incised. How magical it is that this pliable and responsive medium can permanently bear witness to the essence of that single experience of creating.

My vessel forms sometimes take shape in my sketchbook, but more often come from an ongoing conversation with the clay. Building is very much an intuitive process for me, guided by the spirit of that moment in time and space.

Bowl-shaped vessels hold a special fondness for me. They are comforting, organic and useful and so connected with our history of sustenance and sharing.

My vessel forms and surface work often make use of juxtapositions-light/dark, black/white, textured/smooth, raw/glazed. I find this contrast intensifies each elements properties and results in a piece of stronger expressiveness and richness of form and surface." -Ellen Clancy