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Personal Statement Birthplace: San Francisco Education: San Francisco Art Institute San Francisco State University BA - Teaching
Credential A few years ago while
on a trip to Italy my husband and I joyfully observed in Sirmione, Larke Garda, that each home's entryway was adorned
with a colorful ceramic tile. Each tile, personal, narrative in nature, all different in subject matter and artistic
style, was held together by a depiction of the 13th century castle and moat one must cross when entering
Sirmione. Embraced in this functional, numerical placard revealing identity and pride for one's community
was, for me, the wonderful realization that form and function were combined, expected and cherished. This discovery
was validated during the remainder of our trip through Italy. For me there was a growing awareness that in this
country art was not limited to the four walls of a museum but seemed to be an intrinsic part of every Italian's life.
This country, so rich in artistic achievements seems to provide its residents with the ability to absorb, appreciate,
create and combine the most contemporary art with the rich achievements of the past. Since that trip I have been haunted
by this discovery and have attempted to unite my training as a painter with the functional form of the bowl and the plate
in the hopes that its harvest will bring the visual arts to the art of living.
About our Ceramics Each serving piece is entirely hand painted.
Each design is original. Owing to the way each piece is crafted no two pieces are exactly the same. Most
of our bisque pieces as well as our lead free glazes are imported from Montelupo, (Florence) Italy. Some of our bisque
is hand casted in our studio. We use two methods of decorating our serving
pieces and olive oil dipping bowls. All of our olive oil dipping bowls are decorated
with a technique called maiolica. This technique involves dipping the bisque piece in white glaze. After the white
glaze is air dry a decoration is applied on top of the white glaze with liquid pigments. The white glaze provides a
crisp white ground for the application of color creating a jewel like appearance after the piece is fired. The second method of decoration is the application of a clay based liquid which is combined
with pigment . This product is commonly referred to as an engobe or sometimes underglaze. Because of the clay
base the colors are generally more opaque in appearance. Each serving piece is decorated with two to three coats
of engobes. After the piece is dry two to three coats of either matt or clear glaze is applied over the decorated piece.
The decorated, glazed pieces are then fired in a kiln at temperatures
between 1780 and 1830 degrees. Each firing takes approximately twenty-four hours. (five to six hours of actual firing
time and an additional 18 hours for the kiln to slowly cool down to 130 degrees before the pieces can be removed safely).
Care
of our Serving Pieces Hand washing is recommended and precautions for temperature shock should be observed.
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