Valeria Gonçalves
Frisco, Texas

Email

Website

Instagram
@lelaceramics

Facebook

Artist Statement
Born into a family of musicians, architects, artists, and educators, my passion for art and design is in my blood. Among many fields, ceramics captivates me for its beauty and paradox: delicate yet enduring for millennia as witnesses to history.

Studio Description
Light is essential, so my studio is filled with it. Functionality matters; tools must be within reach and circulation must be fluid. I enjoy looking outside at my garden for inspiration.

What type of clay do you use?
Mostly Speckled Buff and porcelain

What temperature do you fire to?
Cone 5/6

What is your primary forming method?
Mostly slab building and coiling

What is your favorite surface treatment?
Underglaze and glaze

Do you make any of your own tools?
I make my own texture rollers.

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

What is your favorite thing about your studio?
The skylight and the volume of natural light it receives. The gentle play of shadows and highlights on the surfaces of my creations adds depth and life.

What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
My carving tools

What are your top three studio wishes?
A pugmill, slab roller, and 48 hours in a day.

How do you recharge creatively?
Taking care of my vegetable garden

Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
I made a table using cement board that absorbs moisture in the ideal amount and is easy to clean.

What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
I'm adapting to life in a new country and finding joy in its warm people. My neighbors and friendships enrich my experience in this opportunity-filled city; its vibrant culture expands my horizons, offering daily chances to learn.

What did your first piece look like?
My first piece was a coffee cup and the result was better than I expected.

What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
To be able to fire my pieces the same day they were made

What is on your studio playlist?
Music and silence boost my creativity. Music inspires emotion; silence fosters reflection. Both catalyze my thoughts. When stuck, I turn to jazz or bossa nova to regain my flow

Why do you create art?
Art is a form of expressing feelings and a personal way to look at life. Engaging with art has always been part of my life. It allows me to communicate emotions and ideas, providing a sanctuary where my thoughts and imagination can roam freely.

Who is your favorite artist and what do you admire about that artist?
I love many artists for their unique styles, masters in their work, their perspectives let me appreciate the diversity of human expression. From Monet and Van Gogh to Rodin and Koons, each artist offers a distinct lens to view the world.

If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
I wouldn't change a thing. Ceramics teaches invaluable lessons: patience, acceptance, and perseverance to achieve goals. Overcoming challenges is vital for growth; ceramics ask us to cherish and respect them.

Click the images to enlarge them. Click the Esc key to close.