Jen Selwyn Pottery: Wisconsin Inspirations

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wisconsin Inspirations

In the woods - Individually or as a grouping this will add drama to any room.

The different seasons add an extra bit of interest.

Spring

This was my first try with this new glaze. I love how it turned out. Some say it looks like a Japanese painting. I think it looks like a Weeping Willow.

Pine Tree

I think this was sold before I even got it out of the kiln. My dear friend Jane saw it in process and knew she wanted it. After the final firing Jane fell in love with it.

Fall ( This is my favorite one)

This was my 3rd attempt with this brand of glaze. The first 2 came out beautiful. This time I tried using both a light blue ( the darker one ) and Robin's Egg blue. I like how the colors work together to look like a cloudy ski. The added color of the fall leaves instead of all green made the trees jump off the surface. This one sold with in minutes of me taking it to the gallery and my cousin has already order one just like it.

1 comment:

Jen SelwynApril 23, 2011 at 12:17 PM
This piece ( Fall ) sold within 10 minutes of bringing it into the Gallery. The lovely lady that bought it was very nice and let us keep it for the show. Since I have had 2 ordered just like it. Love that!
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About My Work

My love for all things messy started when I was young but has carried into my adult life for sure. I remember as a kid making mud pies and trying to sell them. Now I am using clay to create beautiful pieces and selling them. This time people are buying them. Although my first encounter with pottery was in college where I majored in Art Education. I really got into pottery about 9 years ago in Cincinnati at a place called

“Annie’s Mud Pie Shop” .... something about the name I guess.

I am most known for three series I have been working on for the last few years. My speckled turquoise pieces draw the eye of many art lovers. The color and mat texture of the glaze stands out in the sea of earth-tone work at many craft shows. My spiral series came about when I was experimenting with multiple layers of glazes and underglazes. The combination created a unique look that is ancient and modern at the same time. This glazing technique often requires hours of work, but the final product is such a delight I can’t stop making them. My leaf series is inspired by the Green Circle Trail in Stevens Point and my love of Fall. I use both throwing hand-building techniques to create the bowls, platters and baking dishes and use real leaves I collected with my children, to create texture and design elements. The glazing technique is what makes the leaves stand out on these pieces. I use the layering technique I discovered in my spiral work to add texture and depth to the leaves. I balance the strong colors of the leaves with a translucent gloss green to make the leaves pop. As a split to this series I have also added leaves to some of my turquoise pieces. The contrast if color is outstanding! This discovery came about when my cat stepped on the edge of a bowl and to salvage it, I simply added a leaf, the final product was such a delight I decided to make several more. And they were a hit!

When there are no more leaves to use, butterflies adorn my work. Much like the leaves the butterflies adorn the edge of bowls, platters and baking dishes. No, I do not use real butterflies! I do use images of real butterflies and I try to keep the decoration as accurate as possible. The butterflies are even more delicate than the leaves and have been a learning process for me. As a split from this series I have been using embossing and stamp techniques to create some original baking and serving dishes. They are still every bit as beautiful, just a little more user friendly.

I prefer to work in stoneware clay which makes my work durable, as well as oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. Glazes that are food safe and beautiful are what make my pottery great sitting on a coffee table or the kitchen table. What I enjoy most about working in clay, and with the leaves, is no two pieces are ever exactly the same. Most of my work is Asymmetrical, much like the leaves I find in nature. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoyed making it.

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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wisconsin Inspirations

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