Ceramics By Judy

My deep-rooted love for nature and my background as a biologist influence my art practice daily. I draw inspiration from the intricate beauty and resilience of the natural world. You can see this connection with nature in the surface design of my functional pottery. I am fascinated by texture and the variations that can be achieved by using different glazes over the texture. Each piece is formed by hand from start to finish. I utilize hand-built techniques as well as altered wheel-thrown processes to create my work. These techniques lead to beautiful variation in each piece, making them all one-of-a-kind, although the consistency of process also allows these pieces to be collected in sets if desired.

In my sculptural work, I enjoy using recognizable imagery from nature, sometimes combining clay and textiles to engage the senses, inviting viewers to explore hidden narratives through compositions. The mixing of media mirrors the complex relationships within the natural world and illustrates the interdependence and balance needed to sustain life. Material combinations underscore the extensive impacts human actions have on the earth. These connections parallel ties to the world and each other.

I am a lifelong learner. In my early years, I focused on attaining my PhD in Biology to teach at the university level, a goal that I achieved in December 2013. I’m very much an introvert and can be a little bit of a perfectionist. I have an adorable Schnoodle/Dachshund mix named Spencer James. In 2019, I decided to start exploring my creativity and signed up for courses at my university's art department. Since starting that program, my definition of success has changed significantly. At the beginning of my career, I defined success in much the same way as other academics—through the acknowledgment and respect of my peers and by the level of responsibility that I was entrusted with in the department. As I started exploring my creativity and stepping out of my comfort zone, the creative process helped me to embrace the imperfect and to develop a better work-life balance.