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Marla Smith – Artist Statement
I use porcelain in a way that most potters would not. I make everyday ware that is as useful as wheel-thrown pots but not traditional in any way. What is traditional is the strength of porcelain and its clarity and how like canvas it is for true colors. While making my pots, I touch the clay constantly yet there are no fingerprints visible when fired and finished. I also use a dark brown stoneware for serving and baking bowls and candle lanterns. My husband, Jeff, is now making my imprint rollers of NW sea pals and air pals and geometric designs, which is new and exciting for me.
My intent is that my hand-built pots of rolled-out porcelain and stoneware feel good when folks use them and live with them. And maybe that folks wonder how they were put together and can get a sense of clay’s qualities of plasticity and rock crystal strength.
Marla was a part of the 3 Potter’s Studio, stop #21 on the 2023 VIVA Holiday Art Studio Tour, Dec 2-3 & 9-10, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am – 4 pm. For more information on the free, self-guided tour and an interactive map, click here.