Artist Statement:
Learning to work with clay continues to loosen up my typically defined lines of life. Having spent much of my time in structured, rules-based environments, pottery offers me the freedom to stretch, bend, and reimagine those boundaries through form and surface. I am enjoying stretching out, bending those defined lines in new directions. My goal is to create pieces that invite touch — vessels meant to be held, cradled, and experienced through the hand as much as the eye. Whether crafting a tumbler or a cauldron, I focus on shaping forms that highlight curves, ridges, and the natural flow of movement within each piece. Through layered glazes, slips, and textured impressions, I experiment with color and surface in ways that echo the natural world. I draw inspiration from the shifting palette and textures of the natural world throughout the seasons, with particular influence from the rich rusts and golden tones of autumn.
Artist Bio:
Melanie came to pottery later in life, embracing the gift of time and the perspective that this stage of life so generously provides. After careers of professional leadership in both the United States Army and educational settings, she brings discipline, intentionality, and quiet reflection to her studio practice. Clay offers her a meaningful counterbalance — a space where structure softens, and exploration takes root.
Through both work and leisure, Melanie has travelled widely, absorbing a rich tapestry of artistic influences. She is particularly drawn to the softness of the Asian color palettes and the sharp lines and natural hues from ancestral pottery traditions.
Melanie creates vessels that invite touch — pieces meant to be held, cradled, and experienced through the hand as much as the eye. Gentle curves, balanced proportions, and tactile surfaces encourage a quiet interaction between object and owner.
Family remains a profound source of contentment and pride, continually encouraging her to explore new creative paths. Her work reflects a life lived with purpose, service, and curiosity, now expressed through clay.