CLARE STEPHENS
Clare creates beautiful ceramics and pottery and here is a little bit written by Clare about herself:
"As a teenager I attended a pottery club at school and that is where my love of clay began, making many objects some of which I still have and treasure. On leaving school at 18, my 37-year career as a nurse and then a midwife began. My attraction to working with clay, making and art continued with many pottery evening classes during my twenties and early thirties. When bringing up my two children we had a lot of fun with arts and crafts (I certainly did) and I returned to pottery classes 7 to 8 years ago.
In 2018 I took early retirement to take up my place to study ceramics at University. I loved my midwifery career, however, it was time to commence the next chapter to develop my lifelong passion in ceramics.’
Clare uses a variety of different techniques including Porcelain, Earthenware and Stoneware. She is exhibiting examples in The Art Barn, on Grovesend Road where she has examples of all her styles of work on display available to view/buy."
MOON JAR
Named because of its shape and Korean origins being made of porcelain and milky appearance not dissimilar to the moon. Moon jars are made by many ceramic artists using countless techniques, texture clay and glazes ranging from small to very large vessels.
This example is made from a white crank and textured clay, thrown on a potters wheel and decorated with a texturesd surface and white stoneware glaze.
STONEWARE
Clare says of her stoneware pieces:
"In this instance the ceramics or pottery with the blue and white glazes are functional and suitable for use. I love shape and form and the diversity of shapes demonstrate this Chemistry within glazes as they combine and run together gives variety in the appearance of each piece."
BRISTOL INSPIRED PORCELAIN AND EARTHENWARE
Clare says:
"I am interested in the qualities that can be expressed by clay which in this instance (porcelain) are fragility and strength.
My family are Bristol people and my parents lived through the Blitz and recovery of the city. The porcelain pieces with their fragile and deconstructed appearance (with a Bristol view near Park Street), illustrate this with the natural qualities of translucency and although delicate they are relatively strong and durable.
Contrasting with the hand-built porcelain are the terracotta earthenware thrown pieces, made with clay that has a similar colouring to that of Bristol soil (also having a high iron content).
The skylines from either trees or buildings house a wonderful diversity of people and heritage. Porcelain is sometimes referred to as ‘white gold’ which contrasts with the more accessible terracotta."
