Hello! My name is Nita.
I got started in pottery
when I had enrolled in college with
the intention of becoming an art teacher. Along the way I took a ceramics
course. My professor gave a Raku demonstration and I became an immediate and
irreversible Raku addict. Not only was the result beautiful but the
process was captivating to me. I decided to pursue a career as an artist instead of
teacher. I transferred to Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky in order
to study ceramics further. I also began attending workshops held by artists
such as Ron Meyers and Byron Temple.
There is something
calming and therapeutic about throwing on the wheel. While, on the other hand, the firing
process for Raku is very exhilarating. Handling 1800 degree pottery with a
pair of tongs can be very invigorating. Stoneware has held a long time
attraction for me because of it's ability to be both functional and artwork at the same time - so I
do both.
My husband and I live in Tell City, Indiana
which is a beautiful area about as far south in Indiana as you can go. He is a
building contractor
and had a warehouse on the property adjoining
our home that I was able to talk him out of some years back. We renovated it into a
ceramic studio. Meanwhile, I was also able to get him hooked on Raku
firing - he now helps me with it - He has become the "kiln master". We
opened a showroom adjacent to the studio this year in April. You can find pictures of the
showroom and directions to it on the contact me
page.
In an effort to
introduce
people to the Raku process, we hold Raku firing demonstrations at our
studio for students and the public in general. I also do
throwing demonstrations at churches, schools, festivals and shows. My work can
also be found in galleries, shops, at our showroom and at shows.
I feel very blessed to be able to spend my days doing something that I absolutely love.