Abrunzo, Lorraine

Lorraine Abrunzo
Kempton, Pennsylvania

Website
www.lorraineabrunzostudio.com

Artist Statement
I gather much of my inspiration from personal experiences, the environment, and my travels. I am passionate about global warming and wildlife. I have been inspired by the strong women in my family. These themes make regular appearances in my work.

Studio Description
I work in a cooperative clay studio, sharing space, inspiration, and camaraderie with several other ceramic artists.

What type of clay do you use?
Stoneware

What temperature do you fire to?
Cone 5

What is your primary forming method?
Slab/handbuilding

What is your favorite surface treatment?
Underglaze painting

Do you make any of your own tools?
I repurpose many household items to make forms and slump molds for my work.

What one word would you use to describe your work?
Illustrative

What is your favorite thing about your studio?
The camaraderie with other artists

What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
Newspaper

What are your top three studio wishes?
A bigger kiln, a wider sheeter, a recipe for a truly clear matte glaze

What’s on your current reading list?
Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

How do you save money on materials and supplies?
Reclaiming scrap clay

How do you recharge creatively?
I love to walk in the woods and spend time observing wildlife. This is true no matter what the season. Even winter brings lichens and fungi!

Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
I pick one activity for the day: preparing slabs, forming, painting, or glazing. I save a lot of cleanup time that way.

What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
Building larger, straight vessels with confidence

What did you first piece look like?
It was a tiny, thrown bowl with inconsistent height, but a beautiful surface decorated with clay appliques.

What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
I would speed up the drying process without risk of cracking! Since my pieces are usually large, drying can take more than a week.

Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
Dolores Kirschner because she convinced me that I was an artist and gave me confidence to explore!

What is your studio playlist?
Folk music or classic rock

Why do you create art?
I have things that I want to say about the environment and about the strong women who inspire me. I can express that better with art than with words.

What is your best studio tip?
Don’t waste time trying to rescue a piece that you don’t like. Just smash it and start the next one!

If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
I wish it didn’t shrink!