7 to 13 – Ceramicists

A selection of ceramicists, displaying between 7 and 13 images per artist. Beginning with two potters that have distinctive decorative styles, Jim Robison with his landscapes and monumental pieces and Beth J Tarkington, with her narrative figurative drawings. They are both similar with their use of muted palettes.

Jim Robison UK :

Born and Raised in Missouri, USA, Jim Robison set up a studio and home in Yorkshire, England in 1973. He established the Booth House Gallery in 1975 as an exhibition/sales outlet for contemporary ceramics.

Jim’s technique - Individual slab pieces are created through a process which includes using an antique mangle to roll and re-roll prepared sheets of clay . This creates broken edges and areas which are stretched and stressed, generating their own feeling of history. Slips, which are painted, combed, sponge printed and stencilled provide contrasting colours and these are emphasised by applications of up to six glazes and the firing in the reduction atmosphere of a large gas kiln.

Jim Robison website here

Ceramics Summer Course - 14th – 19th July 2013

Dish – Jim Robison

Garden vase

Decorative landscape vase

Jim Robison vase

Jim Robison ceramic sculpture

Stoneware Garden Seating – Jim Robison

Memorial head stone created by Jim Robison for David Constantine White, potter and friend.

Tatton Park Public Sculpture – Jim Robison

Three vases – Jim Robison

1m Vase sculpture

Jim Robison (UK) and Vicki Grima ( AUS )

Wavy vase – Jim Robison

Planter – Jim Robison

Beth J Tarkington – Atalanta USA :

” There is a Greek word, Kairos, which loosely means: to be in the place you were meant to be, or where time and destiny meet. Within this search for place, I found a natural progression from painting and surface design into clay. My artwork has evolved as narrative, one-of-a-kind pieces; conceived, designed and crafted entirely by me.

The narrative in my work centers around landscapes, the figure and related symbolism. I have borrowed loosely from the teachings of Native Americans, who instruct that the rhythms and forces of nature are not separate from our lives. Their concept of “totems” as any object, being or animal whose energy we feel closely associated with, is one I have generously embraced. Sometimes words will find their way onto pieces . . . a snip of conversation, a quote, a lyric, my thoughts.

Above all else, my work reflects a passion for the people, the places and the experiences that have inspired and created me. My goal is to create objects that connect with the viewer through recognition of shared experiences. I think of my clay pieces as metaphors for each of us in the search for our place – somewhat functional, pleasant to be around and hoping to engage “. .. Beth J Tarkington

Beth’s website here

We have taken this season into us - Beth J Tarkington

…

” All of my work is handbuilt, using slab, coil, mold and sculptural techniques. My surface work is very painterly, involving layering of slips, stains, underglazes, oxides and glaze through the processes of wax-resist, texturing and carving, painting, slip trail and brushwork. This requires multiple firings. “