How does Personified in Pottery work?

A quick summary of the project and its purpose:

Personified in Pottery brings connection to the forefront of my artistic practice. It’s a collaboration in which I get to know someone, then create an artistic interpretation of them in a piece of pottery. I get to meet someone new, they get to see themselves in a whole new light (and keep the final piece, of course). I can’t think of a better way to spend my time.

I believe that art is an objective good in this world. That it brings us together across language, culture, and time, and improves us on an individual level. With Personified in Pottery, people have the rare opportunity to see themselves represented in art. I want to give that experience to people as directly as possible.

This project has four main stages that take us from “complete strangers” to a completed piece you get to keep forever.

Stage 1: Enrolling

Select the size category for your personified piece. From petite forms to statement pieces, your final piece can vary in size from .5 pounds of clay up to 8 pounds of clay. Go through the checkout process and voila, you’re enrolled in the series!

You can see pricing and learn more about each category here.

Stage 2: Welcome Email

After enrolling, you’ll receive a welcome email within 24 hours. In that email you’ll learn a bit about me, receive an overview of the project stages, and we’ll officially begin!

Stage 3: Questionnaire

In your welcome email, you’ll receive a link to fill out a questionnaire. This questionnaire is the fun part: it’s the key to the connection we’ll make and the backbone of your finished piece. It has guided as well as open-ended questions that range from lighthearted to deeply reflective, all of which help me get to know your character. I’ll learn about your best traits, how you see yourself and how others see you, what you view as important in life and living, and those special quirks that make you, you.

Keep in mind, this project is about personifying you in a work of art (it’s not a commission). Being as open and honest as you are comfortable with in the questionnaire, and our follow up conversations, will help me get to know you and influence the design of your finished piece.

Stage 4: Making

You’ve filled out your questionnaire, and now my work begins. I’m going to read through your answers and sketch ideas for your piece. If there’s something you mentioned in the form that I want to learn more about, I’ll shoot you an email or request a short phone call (whatever you’re comfortable with) so we can go over it together.

You’ll get progress updates from me, but you won’t get photos (a bit daunting, I know). After getting to know you, sketching, testing, making, drying, firing, glazing, and firing agin, you will be personified in pottery. Full details below.

The Making Timeline:

Week 1: Kickoff. You receive the welcome email and take your time filling out the questionnaire.

Week 2: Sketching. I’m going to read, reread, and ponder over your answers while sketching ideas of what you should look like as a piece of ceramic art.

Weeks 3 and 4: Testing. This time is spent finalizing your piece’s form and plan. Think of it like 3D drafting: sketches will be brought to life as I test different wheel thrown and handmade forms, carefully considering sizing, proportions, surface decoration, and glazing plans.

Weeks 5, 6, and 7: Making. Your piece starts to come to life in what will be its final physical form. I’ll be transforming a lump of clay into an artistic, one-of-a-kind representation of… you.

Weeks 7, 8, and 9: Drying. Once formed, your piece needs to slowly dry for up to three weeks. This drying time is essential to ensure the stability of the clay and enable it to survive its first round in the kiln. 

Weeks 10 and 11: Bisque Firing. This is very exciting; your piece goes into the kiln for the first time! This is the moment when clay transforms into ceramic by being heated to about 1900°F over the course of multiple days. Kind of magical.

Weeks 12, 13, and 14: Glazing and Final Firing. I now carefully select a mix of chemicals, silica, ball clay, ash, and other ingredients to decorate your piece. In the kiln (at 2300°F), these ingredients melt and react with one another to create beautiful surface colors and effects.

*This is an example timeline. Some pieces may take more or less time depending on their size, intricacy, and the firing schedule.

Project Complete! You are now Personified in Pottery!

We’ve made a unique connection and you’ve transformed from a lump of clay into a one-of-a-kind piece of art. You’ll receive professional product photography and a written summary of the piece and how you are reflected in it. Your piece will be carefully wrapped and shipped to your door.