Handmade ceramics are fired in a kiln in Northeast Los Angeles.
Centering and pulling clay…
My first memory of clay began when I was a child, creating sculptures with blue-clay (blå lera) that was formed in a lake called Fryken situated in the province Värmland, Sweden. As a teenager I got a summer job at a local ceramic artist studio in Lysvik, Värmland, Solsieg. There I spent weeks brushing on glaze on the intricate wall art she famously made. But it wasn’t until later in life I began with ceramics. I was in my late thirties when I took my first wheel-throwing class at a small residential pottery studio in Tribeca, NYC. I was immediately hooked! My first teacher, Rachel, was very encouraging, and a humble artist herself. She taught me not to be too afraid of making mistakes. Unfortunately, after a year of classes I had to stop due to physical ailments and time constraints as a working mom. After relocating to Los Angeles I decided to start again. Now, all my spare time I spend throwing or “playing with clay,” just like I did as a child.
My upbringing in Sweden exposed me to the clean and modern Scandinavian architecture and simple table-ware designs from ceramic companies in Sweden such as Arabia, Höganäs, and Rörstrand. I’m also inspired by the clean lines of Japanese ceramics and the vases used in Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arrangement.
I find the process of wheel-thrown ceramics to be very meditative. My approach as a potter is to me a “journey without a goal” – It’s not the outcome that is important, it’s the process itself that is. Everything from wedging and centering the clay, to trimming and glazing the ceramics. I also try to recycle all my used clay and see that as a part of the journey as well. If I happen to produce something that to me is beautiful, it’s very fulfilling and gives me such joy to share this with others!
/Sara
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