I am thrilled to have two of my teapots accepted into the APA Teapot Show 2023, hosted by the Alberta Potters' Association. The show will take place on May 11th, 2023 at The Naked Leaf in Calgary, Alberta.
As a ceramic artist and avid tea drinker, nothing inspires me more than the perfect teapot. When I saw the call for entries for the APA Teapot Show 2023, I knew I had to apply. My "mountains meet water" teapot series represents the beauty and power of nature. I believe that by embracing an inclusive, holistic, and joyful understanding of the world around us, we can work towards a more sustainable future. The technical challenge of creating a teapot is part of what draws me to the art form. It's a delicate balance of form and function that requires skill and patience to execute. And as someone who loves to drink tea, there's something truly special about creating a vessel that can make the experience even more enjoyable.
Title: Springtime Splendor Teapot: 2023
Chinook winds, they blow so sweet, Bringing warmth to winter's feet. With longer days and sun-kissed air, We shed our coats and shed our cares.
Last year, I participated in the Kitsch: Craft So Bad That It’s Good exhibition, which was a fun departure from my usual style. But for the APA Teapot Show 2023, I wanted to return to my roots as a ceramic artist and showcase the unique blend of technical skill and artistic vision that I've been developing for years. It's an honor to be included among the talented artists in this exhibition and I can't wait to see how my teapots will be received by the community.
Title: Springtime Splendor Teapot: 2023
The snow may melt to slushy slop, But life awakens, without a stop. New blooms emerge, new smiles too, Spring's arrival, oh so true.
The teapots I submitted to the exhibition are part of my "mountains meet water" series, where the trim lines around the body represent water and infinity, and the mountains represent grounding. This concept is inspired by the beauty and power of the natural world, and how it can inspire and inform our understanding of the world around us. My goal is to challenge dominant anthropocentric perspectives - the exploitation of nature and her resources for the sole purpose of human consumption - and promote an understanding of the world that is inclusive, holistic, and joyful. My work is an exploration of anthropocosmic co-humanity, and I believe that by re-membering our place in the community of the earth, we can begin to value the land and the natural world for their own sake, and work to protect and preserve them for future generations.
Title: Enchanted Winter Teapot: 2023
With winter's chill and frozen air, My inspiration blooms and I dare, To capture nature's beauty rare.
Teapots are one of the most challenging forms to tackle in pottery making, and they continue to be a challenge even after you've developed a basic mastery of pottery techniques. With so many pieces and parts to teapot forms, such as spout, handle, lid, knob, and body, getting the timing right when making them can be difficult. Even more challenging is getting all the parts to work together, not just physically, but aesthetically too. Despite the technical difficulties, I find creating teapots to be rewarding and satisfying. It requires both technical expertise and artistic vision to bring a piece to life. That's why I always make sure to create extra pieces when I'm working on a project. I made four teapots in total to achieve the two that I'm happy with.
I prefer my work in its pre-glazed and fired state. If feel like my composition is strongest in this space.
“Creating ceramics is a truly humbling experience.”
Ceramics is a humbling sport. I always make extras when creating pieces. I made a total of four teapots to get these two.
It's a challenging process, but it's also incredibly rewarding to see a piece come to fruition after so much hard work and dedication. There's nothing quite like the feeling of holding a finished piece in your hands and knowing that you've poured your heart and soul into it. It's a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the creative process, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I feel incredibly honored to have been selected to participate in the APA Teapot Show 2023, which not only showcases the best of teapot-making from across the region but also reflects the mission of the Alberta Potters' Association. As a member of this vibrant community of clay artists, I appreciate their dedication to stimulating members through informative workshops, lectures, exhibition opportunities, and community building, while connecting members to the larger arts community through events and affiliate art organizations. It's inspiring to be a part of a group that encourages each other to develop our art and craft to the highest level of creativity and making. I am excited to showcase my teapot-making skills and artistic vision at this event, and I look forward to connecting with other members of the association. I'm grateful to the APA for organizing such a fantastic event, and I hope viewers will appreciate the technical and artistic challenges that go into creating functional ceramics like teapots.