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Veera Tamminen,
Helsinki, Finland
Website: https://veeratamminen.blogspot.com/
Email: veera.s.tamminen@gmail.com
Artist Statement: Tamminen has been working on small scale series with illustrations that draw out of fragility, figuratif and doom. In her art she aims to illustrate the subjective moods and states of mind, emotions to be observed as objectively comfortable.
Studio Description: Tamminen does small scale production with unique hand drawn mishima illustrations on porcelain. The porcelain ware are cast, thrown and mold pressed. She has a online shop called Piece of dap, and a company Lobotomy ceramics.
What type of clay do you use? Porcelain.
What temperature do you fire to? Cone 10.
What is your primary forming method? Cast, thrown and mold press.
What is your favorite surface treatment? Mishima.
Do you make any of your own tools? I make my own molds, but I like to collect my tools from around the world. My favorite are petite sculpting tools from Paris.
What one word would you use to describe your work? Figurative.
What is your favorite thing about your studio? That I can make my illustrative vision into functionals.
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without? Tool box.
What are your top three studio wishes? My own kiln, more space, Paris.
What’s on your current reading list? Petrie, Kevin: The Ceramics Reader.
How do you save money on materials and supplies? I work as a bartender.
How do you recharge creatively? I take breaks from studio practice where I do writing work. I see my artworks, I fairly ever sketch. I admire my test tile collection.
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency? Clay recycle and it's organization.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome? I used to create my works from Southern Ice porcelain, but that is now made unavailable. Now I need to adjust to other porcelain bodies, challenging.
What did you first piece look like? It was a teapot which was inspired by pine root which I used as a handle. I borrowed a glaze recipe from my study friend to match the handle.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why? The unbelievable talent to control porcelain and the self made electric fire glazes.
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why? My teachers Rebecca Harvey, Stave Thurston Tapio Yli-Viikari from Aalto.
Why do you create art? I think I have things to say that render nicely to ceramic artworks and exhibitions.
What is your best studio tip? All ways go, every day.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be? Dry cracking.
