Cathie Sheffield-Thompson
Savannah, Georgia
Email: sheffthomp@gmail.com
Studio: Cathie’s Stylish Treasures
Instagram: @cstceramics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cstceramics?
Artist Statement
Bringing a smile to everyday spaces is my driving force. I make functional pottery that is colorful, stylish, and hopefully treasured for many years to come. Inspired by adult coloring, I play with color combinations and designs led by my imagination. What surprises me the most, when I started my clay journey in 2014, is how much I enjoy “playing in clay”. I am still very surprised by the awakening of an artistically creative side I never thought I had. My journey continues to explore ancient pottery from early African civilizations, African potters, and Aboriginal dot paintings. My aesthetic is ever evolving yet driven by my lessons from some amazing ceramic artists. Their messages stay with me: how to be discerning about what you keep because fired clay is permanent. Form and shape are important, but also think about how the ceramic will be used. That’s why my berry bowls always have a drain plate! I will continue to challenge myself to create a smile, and I still use my early decorating techniques of colorful lines and dots. Why, because it makes ME smile.
Studio Description
At-home studio with a pottery wheel, worktable, commercial underglazes, glazes, homemade colored slip, and my computer. Perfect for watching my neighbor’s three dogs while at my wheel.
What type of clay do you use?
Porcelain
What temperature do you fire to?
Cone 6
What is your primary forming method?
Wheel throwing
What is your favorite surface treatment?
Carving, dotting
Do you make any of your own tools?
Does repurposing old sponge mattress pad and Tyvek construction material count?
What one word would you use to describe your work?
Colorful
What is your favorite thing about your studio?
When my shelves are empty so I can make more!
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
A sharp trimming tool
What are your top three studio wishes?
I wish a magic fairy would sweep and mop and not break anything (oh well, that must be me); I wish I had space for a 2nd wheel so I can use a dark clay body when making planters.; An unlimited supply of glazes.
What’s on your current reading list?
Current issues of Ceramic Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated (really, I’m not brown-nosing here)
How do you save money on materials and supplies?
I recycle clay and make a bottom-of-the-bucket glaze.
How do you recharge creatively?
I rest, browse social media, create when I feel inspired, and take on custom orders that can challenge me creatively.
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
I let my glaze cleanup water dry out to recycle.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
Finding markets to sell my work that fit best with my style.
What did your first piece look like?
The only first piece I kept is a small gas-fired bowl.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
Patience and detachment. I’d rather recycle at the greenware stage and not get attached, which is something I just can’t fix after a glaze fire.
What area of skill do you most look to other artists to learn?
Glaze combinations always intrigue me.
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
Xiasheng Bi has such a discerning eye and is an amazing artist. I spent several years learning directly from him and still get inspired as I see his work.
What is on your studio playlist?
I work in silent meditation unless my husband is playing his base guitar for me.
Why do you create art?
I create because it feeds my kidjoy!
Who is your favorite artist and what do you admire about that artist?
Any artist who is willing to share freely their process and challenges. It’s all about a learning community for me.
What is your best studio tip?
Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. We can always make, remake, fire, refire, and start all over again.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
Very forgiving and no grog. I almost cried when I used Lizella clay. The vinyl gloves came on for that clay.
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