"I make functional pottery that is food safe, dishwasher safe, and can be put in the microwave. All pieces are made in my
studio here on Nantucket. I also do special orders and sets of dishes. Enjoy looking at my work." |
-Barbara Toole |
I came to clay first and foremost out of a passion
for the medium. I have worked in many crafts;
cake decorating, painting, papermaking, fashion
design, floral arranging, and many varieties of
sculpture; but no one medium can compare to
clay. I am a functional potter, and much of my
work is in the form of bowls, plates, vases, cups,
and canisters. I constantly try new glazes,
applications, and ways to make my work unique.
Working from my own studio has caused my |
The transformation of my pieces from organic to
embracing the use of color has become my trademark.
I brush all of my glazes, take risks with combining
many colors, and add a variety of textures to many of
my pieces. Although I am inspired by artists such as
Modigliani, Morandi, deStaël and Hundertwasser, I am
often influenced by what I encounter in nature; on my
walks with my dog, while running, or even just around
town. The things I come across somehow come back
through my hands and into my work. I like to think
these influences lend my work a whimsical character,
while still remaining quite user-friendly. |
style to evolve, with the limits of an electric kiln pushing me beyond the ‘one dunk’
school of glazing and atmosphere kilns. |
the wheel, rolling out clay for a slab construction, or applying glaze to bisque ware, I
am completely spellbound by the evolving piece in my hands. When I am in my
studio, my focus is on my work, and the world disappears. I embrace the clay, and I
am amazed at the shapes that appear. Each vessel, as a finished product, reflects
the process it went through to arrive at its end. To me, this process is more than just
my work; it is a miracle. |
