C L AY WA R E S S PA R K F I R E
Potters throw themselves into unique art
BY KAY PLAVIDAL
A surprisingly large community of talented potters call Alpine home . Their work is as unique and varied as the artists themselves . Whether it ’ s an encore career , profession , or hobby – they are all pursuing their passion and the joy that comes from working with clay .
Top : Stewart smooths the soft clay slab that will become a decorative plate . Bottom : " High Desert Agave " hand-carved terracotta tiles by Stewart
Above : Teapot by Freeman Right : Freeman carves in her studio Far right : Hand-carved vase by Freeman
JANET STEWART Near the end of her professional career as a public educator , Janet Stewart received an unexpected gift : a box of clay . She recalls , “ I couldn ’ t stop playing with it ; had to make myself put it away .” So it ’ s no surprise that shortly after retiring to Alpine in 2006 , Janet enrolled in a Ceramics class at Sul Ross State University . Thus began her “ encore career ” as a potter .
For six years Janet studied under Ceramics Professor Jim Bob Salazar , who many credit with building the Sul Ross ceramics program . Jim Bob was “ a major influence and promoter of ceramic arts and artists in this area ,” says Janet . “ He is without question the greatest influence on my ceramics career , and I think the same could be said for others .”
JUDY FREEMAN
When she was 28 , Judy Freeman studied for six weeks with famed pottery artist Charles Counts at his internationally renowned Rising Fawn Studio in Tennessee . But family obligations intervened , and it was almost three decades before she touched clay again .
After retiring in 2005 , Judy studied for six years at San
Antonio ’ s Southwest School of Arts and earned a Fine Arts Certificate in Ceramics . She moved to Alpine in 2011 and now spends most days in her pottery studio transforming porcelain clay into functional works of art . She admits , “ It ’ s what gets me up in the morning … brings me so much joy .”
Judy ’ s work is heavily influenced by her first teacher , Counts . She loves
Pottery making is a highly technical process with an almost unlimited number of variables , beginning with the type of clay and firing method and ending with the type of glaze . In between , the smooth clay surfaces can be carved , stamped or otherwise enhanced . Although she ’ s been making pottery for almost a decade , Janet continues to delight in learning and experimenting with different clays , glazes and forms . Her body of work reflects that . A crystalline-glazed vase is just as likely to emerge from her studio as a brightly colored tile tabletop , sculptural figures , or a hand-carved terracotta tile .
Janet is grateful that she had the good fortune to retire to Alpine . “ It gives me great pride to call myself a potter … I am part of a crafts tradition that is ancient , worldwide , and enduring .”
Janet ’ s work is on display at Gallery on the Square in Alpine .
Crystalline-Glazed Plate by Stewart the idea of combining beauty and function . Her passion lies in creating handmade vessels that are useful in everyday life yet pleasing to look at , touch and hold . Her works include tea bowls , teapots , bowls , vases and donabes for clay-pot cooking .
Judy believes that pottery making lies somewhere between craft and art . Perfecting the fundamental elements of shape and form are essential before she begins her signature surface treatment of carving . Her exquisite motifs are primarily inspired by nature and the border culture of the Big Bend .
View Judy ’ s work at CatchLight Gallery and Brown Dog Gardens in Alpine .
12 BIG BEND GALLERIES AND ARTISTS / 2016