by Sherrye WyattJoan Govedare
2160 E. Woodbine Road, Langley, WA 98260
Type of artwork - what medium, how is it classified?
Pottery, raku fired and glazed, two entirely different linesEach feature accurate constellations of the night skyHow long have you been an artist?Thirty eight years.
Artist's Statement:
"I specialize in raku fired, intricately carved ceramics which feature an accurate depiction of the constellations of the night sky. Recently I've added a new line of colorfully glazed functional pieces which still often feature the stars. My designs and wheel thrown forms reflect more than thirty eight years of development as a potter."
"I specialize in raku fired, intricately carved ceramics which feature an accurate depiction of the constellations of the night sky. Recently I've added a new line of colorfully glazed functional pieces which still often feature the stars. My designs and wheel thrown forms reflect more than thirty eight years of development as a potter."
What is interesting and distinctive about you and your artwork?My father was an astronomer and he taught me to identify and love the constellations of the night sky. I've been featuring stars on my pots for over 20 years, and I don't think anybody else takes the time to make them accurate. Both the raku fired hand painted pieces and the glazed pieces require longhours of detail work.
Why do you create? What are you passionate about?I guess you could say I was born to work with clay; I love what I do. Most of all I love the colors and textures. I am passionate about art that has a message. For decades I have made a point of incorporating meaning into
my work. The act of throwing clay up on the wheel never ceases to thrill me.
What projects are you currently working on? Any upcoming shows?I'm shifting over to glazed functional pieces for the first time in thirty years. I am enjoying learning which colors work best with which clay body. I've begun eating out of my own dishes, and this is very enjoyable.
Why do you create? What are you passionate about?I guess you could say I was born to work with clay; I love what I do. Most of all I love the colors and textures. I am passionate about art that has a message. For decades I have made a point of incorporating meaning into
my work. The act of throwing clay up on the wheel never ceases to thrill me.
What projects are you currently working on? Any upcoming shows?I'm shifting over to glazed functional pieces for the first time in thirty years. I am enjoying learning which colors work best with which clay body. I've begun eating out of my own dishes, and this is very enjoyable.
What will guests see you doing at your studio during the Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour (OST)? Various stages of the process of making both the raku fired and glazed pieces. I usually try to do some raku firings, some throwing and trimming.
Choose a piece that you will have for sale on the OST and describe why you created it, your feelings when you created it, and the process you went through. My lidded raku fired pieces are personal favorites. I love the idea of being able to keep sacred objects in a ceramic vessel. There will be a selection of these in the studio, and each has a very personal story. I am currently working on a series of bowls . These are sturdy, colorful and enjoyable to use. Each one has at least five layers of glaze on it, hand painted. Many of the designs will feature the night sky, with the North Star in the center of the bowl.
