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Marie-Luce Van Asten,
Clay in Wood
Georgia
Email: mlucevanasten@me.com
Website: http://www.clayinwood.com/
Artist Statement: My husband and I are fusing clay and wood together to create artistic functional or sculptural pieces. I hand-build the clay pieces; for each of them we discuss which wood slab and components to use trying to tell a story through their integration.
Studio Description: When we decided to retire in 2016 from our respective jobs, we turned our focus to our passion. Dominicus installed a wood shop studio in the garage and I designed my clay studio in the house with windows overseeing nature.
What type of clay do you use? Mid range firing
What temperature do you fire to? Cone 05 or cone 5
What is your primary forming method? Hand building
What is your favorite surface treatment? Texturing, slip trailing, screen printing
Do you make any of your own tools? I used objects from nature or objects that I recycled.
What one word would you use to describe your work? Fusion of two materials
What is your favorite thing about your studio? The view to the nature
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without? Heat
What are your top three studio wishes? Do more sculptural work. Be more efficient with glazing. Go further with the wood fusion.
How do you recharge creatively? Talking with my husband, walking, teaching
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency? Clean up every day.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome? Keep learning and grow into my art. Continue to work as a team with my husband.
What did you first piece look like? I started with the wheel for some years but I was never happy with the result.My first hand building piece is a big pitcher pot made of coils.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why? I try to use clay as a pencil and create animals that are talking to me.
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why? Michael Klapthor, he is the first teacher who introduced me to sculptural work and passion for it.
What is your studio playlist? The Beatles
Why do you create art? Because, I love having my hands in the clay and create it is my therapy.
What is your best studio tip? Keep trying
