Super Bowls

Posted by Page

I studied ceramics in college and then had to put it on hold for 10 years while I was busy working crazy hours, living in different cities, etc. But the desire to return to it never left.

When I moved to L.A. and met the master ceramicist Otto Heino, I realized it was a passion I could no longer put off. Otto was gracious enough to let me work beside him. He learned from the world-famous Bernard Leach and has an incredible story of his own. (Read about Otto and his famous yellow glaze here.) I learned so much from him.

When I wasn't working with Otto, I would race to a local studio and work as many hours as I could each day. I tend to primarily make bowls; I have always been obsessed with their shape. I think that every culture has a beautiful bowl in its history.

I love making the foot of the bowl as much as the body itself (see below).

The large bowl above is by Joan Platt and the smaller one is Japanese.

My husband is quite amused by my collection of antique bowls, bowls by other ceramicists, and bowls I have picked up in my travels. Though the collection has come in handy as a prop stylist. You can always use a great bowl to complete an inspiring picture, whether it's a still-life, an interiors shot, or a picture of food.

I have been influenced by so many different things when it comes to my own ceramics. It may be the colors and shapes I see in nature, wonderful ceramicists that have been at it a long time, old ironstone wash bowls, Japanese ceramics, Scandinavian forms -- the list goes on.

In addition to the artists above, check out more personal heroes:

Taizo Kuroda

Edmund De Waal

Rupert Spira

Gwyn Pigott Hansen

Joan Platt

Matin Gallery sells some of the best ceramics from around the world

Comments

[julie wilsker]

Do you know where can I find joan platt ceramics?

Thanks you.

[lyn]

carving out the foot has always been the icing on the cake for me too :)

[joslyn]

these are gorgeous. i love simple white pottery. love.it.

[m. heart]

wonderful, inspiring post. there's something so soothing about holding a beautiful, hand-made bowl in one's hands.