Michelle's profile
Michelle Swafford is an Artist-in-Residence at Baltimore Clayworks in Maryland. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Michelle threw her first pots as a teenager in a recreational community center clay program, where she would later become a studio assistant and instructor. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Multimedia from the University of Colorado-Denver, but continued to study ceramics on the side by attending workshops and classes at local art centers and community colleges. Her current work consists of high-fired functional porcelain pots embellished with colorful patterns and architecturally inspired details.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am intrigued with the idea of injecting artistry into the experience of daily life. I create ceramic objects that will be companions to daily rituals, such as drinking a cup of tea, putting on jewelry, or eating a bowl of cereal. I aspire to create objects that are viewed as special and important to their owners, but inviting enough for use in everyday life.
When working, I always begin with the end in mind. What will this piece do? Where will it live? Who will use it, how will they use it, and why will they choose it over others? I then begin a process of design, selecting glaze colors and design motifs, because they will influence the entire making process. At this point, I begin to create the basic form, usually by throwing on the wheel or by slip-casting. At later stages, each object is decorated using a variety of surface techniques, such as sprigging, carving, mishima (colored slip inlay), and use of multiple glazes.
In my current work, I am exploring the use of bold and stylized graphic patterns as applied to daily life objects such as cups, bowls, and jewelry boxes. I strive to create simple and elegant forms that will be embellished with colorful patterns, imagery, and architectural-style details. I come from a graphic design background, where images are constrained by the margins of the page, so I create boundaries for my decorative motifs, leaving the user to wonder how the patterns would continue on. I am also interested in using patterns and motifs in various sizes, creating a dense and layered surface that captures the eye and invites visual and tactile exploration.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am intrigued with the idea of injecting artistry into the experience of daily life. I create ceramic objects that will be companions to daily rituals, such as drinking a cup of tea, putting on jewelry, or eating a bowl of cereal. I aspire to create objects that are viewed as special and important to their owners, but inviting enough for use in everyday life.
When working, I always begin with the end in mind. What will this piece do? Where will it live? Who will use it, how will they use it, and why will they choose it over others? I then begin a process of design, selecting glaze colors and design motifs, because they will influence the entire making process. At this point, I begin to create the basic form, usually by throwing on the wheel or by slip-casting. At later stages, each object is decorated using a variety of surface techniques, such as sprigging, carving, mishima (colored slip inlay), and use of multiple glazes.
In my current work, I am exploring the use of bold and stylized graphic patterns as applied to daily life objects such as cups, bowls, and jewelry boxes. I strive to create simple and elegant forms that will be embellished with colorful patterns, imagery, and architectural-style details. I come from a graphic design background, where images are constrained by the margins of the page, so I create boundaries for my decorative motifs, leaving the user to wonder how the patterns would continue on. I am also interested in using patterns and motifs in various sizes, creating a dense and layered surface that captures the eye and invites visual and tactile exploration.
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