Residencies (past and present): Visiting Artist in Residence at The Archie Bray Foundation (archiebray.org)
Describe the first piece you made in clay that felt like your own style: Combining storytelling, throwing, and handbuilding culminated in a body of work that felt unique to me. The cup that began this body of work has an odd handle and a scene of a mama sloth resting, drinking tea, listening to music, while her cub plays on the floor next to her.
What are you inspired by? I research the instincts and emotions of animals in comparison to my role as a mother. I find inspiration in color schemes, complex patterns, unique shapes, humorous stories, and evolving relationships.
What is your process for finding/designing new forms? I spend time sketching ideas, playing with the form and expression of an animal. I consider negative space as well as the positive in my forms. Most importantly, I play and experiment as I’m creating in the studio, making sure to not let rules or logic limit the outcome.
Who are your mentors? Artist mothers who paved the way ahead of me and who are navigating the simultaneous roles of mother and artist as my colleagues and friends.
Favorite piece in your ceramic collection: Currently, a Beth Lo cup I purchased at NCECA. It’s a simple cup with a sweet drawing of a kid brushing their teeth.
Best piece of advice you ever received? Keep making work.
Best advice you can give to other potters? Listen to your intuition. Also, take risks.
Describe your studio: My studio is in the same building I teach in, a floor above the main ceramics studio. It’s a 250-square-foot space with tables and shelves built to my height. My wheel sits next to a large window that overlooks our atmospheric kiln pad and a small, forested area.
Best thing about your studio? My window. I enjoy the natural light while watching animals scurry through the forest and students laughing at the wood kiln.
Wish list for your studio? Do they make a machine that will wedge and weigh your clay for you? Or a machine that will sand or pack your finished pots?
Describe a typical day or session in the studio: I work in batches, making about ten pieces at a time, seeing them through to their finished stage. Accomplishing one task for all the pieces each day; throwing, trimming, handbuilding, sanding, drawing, slip trailing. This is balanced with teaching, meetings, and conversations with students who pop in to say hello.
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Clay body: Cone-6 porcelain
Firing temperature: Cone 6
Atmosphere: Oxidation/electric
Surface treatment: Slip trailing
Forming method: Throwing and handbuilding
Favorite tools in your toolbox: I couldn’t live without my serrated metal rib and my small red silicone rib.
Website: heidimckaydesigns.com
Social media: Instagram @heidimckaydesigns
Gallery representation:
Residencies (past and present): Visiting Artist in Residence at The Archie Bray Foundation (archiebray.org)
Describe the first piece you made in clay that felt like your own style: Combining storytelling, throwing, and handbuilding culminated in a body of work that felt unique to me. The cup that began this body of work has an odd handle and a scene of a mama sloth resting, drinking tea, listening to music, while her cub plays on the floor next to her.
What are you inspired by? I research the instincts and emotions of animals in comparison to my role as a mother. I find inspiration in color schemes, complex patterns, unique shapes, humorous stories, and evolving relationships.
What is your process for finding/designing new forms? I spend time sketching ideas, playing with the form and expression of an animal. I consider negative space as well as the positive in my forms. Most importantly, I play and experiment as I’m creating in the studio, making sure to not let rules or logic limit the outcome.
Who are your mentors? Artist mothers who paved the way ahead of me and who are navigating the simultaneous roles of mother and artist as my colleagues and friends.
Favorite piece in your ceramic collection: Currently, a Beth Lo cup I purchased at NCECA. It’s a simple cup with a sweet drawing of a kid brushing their teeth.
Best piece of advice you ever received? Keep making work.
Best advice you can give to other potters? Listen to your intuition. Also, take risks.
Describe your studio: My studio is in the same building I teach in, a floor above the main ceramics studio. It’s a 250-square-foot space with tables and shelves built to my height. My wheel sits next to a large window that overlooks our atmospheric kiln pad and a small, forested area.
Best thing about your studio? My window. I enjoy the natural light while watching animals scurry through the forest and students laughing at the wood kiln.
Wish list for your studio? Do they make a machine that will wedge and weigh your clay for you? Or a machine that will sand or pack your finished pots?
Describe a typical day or session in the studio: I work in batches, making about ten pieces at a time, seeing them through to their finished stage. Accomplishing one task for all the pieces each day; throwing, trimming, handbuilding, sanding, drawing, slip trailing. This is balanced with teaching, meetings, and conversations with students who pop in to say hello.
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