I love handmade pots for their quiet revolutionary nature. They have this ability to form relationships, memories and attachments totally independent of their maker. To somehow weezel their way into peoples lives. Perhaps their nature of presenting and giving, always giving that captures the attention of their users. Who knows… but I myself am taken. I find that the process of making pots captures my attention- wherever I am- at least ¼ of my mind is on pots in the process or pots yet to be made. I have missed pockets of important conversation, exits on highways, among other myriad things because my mind has been focused on the pot at hand. In terms of making I am interested in vessels that give the daily joys of life- food, flowers, coffee, tea, juice, wine, liquor. Things that may have a celebratory nature, but those that also beg to be used everyday to help that ideal to make everyday a holiday.

As I work I find there are several ideas and images that continually make their way onto the surfaces of my pots. First and foremost pattern for the sake of pattern that is often repeated through stamping, incised areas and inlaid glazes. I often use pattern to denote areas for land and skyscapes or to create movement across a piece. The landscapes and skyscapes give me the opportunity to think about space; space within the pot, the allocation of space on the surface of the pot and how the imagination can surpass the surface of the pot with the hints of a great and vast space beyond. Where flowers and birds give me the opportunity to play with how one explores each piece- at what tempo and where does the eye move? What would it be to be suspended in space in the midst of swooping? Swooping? Where to? Or, perhaps I just find that flowers and birds give unexpected pleasure. For that is my intention of making: unexpected pleasure that grows with the life of each piece.


contact[at]missmegoliver[dot]com