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About Michelle

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… more
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Bowls for Serving & Eating

The base forms for my bowls are thrown or slip-cast, and then each is individually decorated with press-molded and carved floral patterns.

Each piece is fired to 2350 degrees (cone 10) in a gas kiln, with the flames being controlled through skillful hands-on manipulation of fuel and air flow. No automatic or electronic controllers are used. Gas kilns are used to produce colors and surfaces not available through electric kiln firings, including the beautiful cherry-red glaze known as a "copper red."
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    bowls_03-3.jpg
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    bowls_10-2.jpg
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    • Plates & Platters

    All of my plates and platters are thrown by hand on the potter's wheel, and then decorated with press-molded floral designs and carved patterns.

    Each piece is fired to 2350 degrees (cone 10) in a gas kiln, with the flames being controlled through skillful hands-on manipulation of fuel and air flow. No automatic or electronic controllers are used. Gas kilns are used to produce colors and surfaces not available through electric kiln firings, including the beautiful cherry-red glaze known as a "copper red."
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      plate_6.jpg
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      plate_3.jpg
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      plate_4.jpg
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      plate_2.jpg
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      plate_1.jpg
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      plate_5.jpg
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    • Drinking Vessels

    The base forms for my drinking vessels are thrown or slip-cast, and then each is individually decorated with press-molded and carved floral patterns.

    Each piece is fired to 2350 degrees (cone 10) in a gas kiln, with the flames being controlled through skillful hands-on manipulation of fuel and air flow. No automatic or electronic controllers are used. Gas kilns are used to produce colors and surfaces not available through electric kiln firings, including the beautiful cherry-red glaze known as a "copper red."
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      drinking_02.jpg
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      drinking_09.jpg
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      drinking_08.jpg
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      drinking_07.jpg
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      drinking_06.jpg
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      drinking_05.jpg
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      drinking_12.jpg
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      drinking_04.jpg
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      drinking_01.jpg
    • drinking_10.jpg
      drinking_10.jpg
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