Pat Clapsaddle
Clapsaddle Pottery Sharps
Chapel, Tennessee

Websites
www.etsy.com/shop/PatClapsaddle 
www.facebook.com/pages/Pat-Clapsaddle-Pottery/157745387617346

Studio Description
I specialize in Majolica pottery, which creates a glazed on, painted surface to my original handmade and wheel thrown terra cotta pottery. My work also incorporates multiple methods of design and color using surface texture or the painterly effects of majolica on stacked and altered thrown forms. In effect, it is printing, drawing, and painting on clay forms.

In addition, many of my ceramic works are handbuilt with stamped designs. I use terra cotta and white talc clay imprinted with found objects and my own hand-cut printing blocks. Some of the textures on the pottery are a play on words. Others are random patterns that are rhythmically repeated throughout the surface of the work. These surfaces are enhanced with underglazes. The surface is wiped, layered and repeated until the finished look is achieved. Then a final coat of mat or gloss glaze is applied so the pieces are fully functional. Sometimes I combine the textured prints with a majolica piece as decorative elements, a border, foot, handle, or lip. The imprinted clay areas are finished with a non-fired oil- rubbed compound.

Figure work creating caricatures of literary or noteworthy people began my exploration in clay wall art. Here, I use the same technique described above for the textural pieces, adding low-fire metallic accents. In addition, I am creating a series of cups on bases that are attached to the wall.