LizDiane Artist Statement

My Ceramic Artwork is cone 10 stoneware fired in a variety of ways while concentrating on function, form, color, and atmosphere when approaching my work aesthetically.  The permanence and lasting quality of stoneware provide a great medium to work with. Function, or the vessel’s purpose, if often my first consideration.  This drives my exploration of unusual functions for pottery while developing functional serving ware and everyday vessels.

My forms present themselves as elegant and fluid, often reflecting Ancient Greek Pottery. My fascination with the beauty and elegance of Greek Pottery and the rich cultural dialogue has greatly impacted the direction of my artwork. Nature’s elegance is another influence on my vessels shapes and form through an exploration of agateware and the use of fluid curves.  My intent is for both surface and form to be fluid and cohesive while addressing the rich contrast of elegance and chaos.  

The inspiration for my colors start by reflecting on nature’s vibrant transitional colors and evolves to the Chaos of nature.  I am driven to search out and test glazes for their ability to transition and blend with each other, while being challenged to contemplate color throughout the entire creation process.  I address this challenge through the clay’s ability to add color at various stages in the vessel’s creation.  From using colored clays and slips, to spraying multiple layers of glaze on bisque ware, to spraying soda ash into a kiln during the firing.  I often apply color at several stages in the process providing depth of color in layers.

My firing process is greatly influenced by my desire for a wide range of colors.  I practice a variety of firing methods to achieve this; from atmospheric soda firing, to reduction for reds, to an oxidizing atmosphere.  My overall desire is to make beautiful, high quality objects that bring joy and inspiration to others.