C'est en 1987 que j'ai commencé à
explorer la céramique. Pendent deux ans j'ai
étudié les techniques de fabrication manuelle
dans un atelier communautaire de la ville de Winnipeg.
Après cette courte introduction à la poterie, ma
carrière musicale prend l'essentiel de mon temps et je mets
la céramique de coté. La musique avait
toujours été ma priorité, mais
à travailler comme artiste indépendante pendant 30 ans je me suis retrouvée plus souvent
à porter le chapeau de gérant, d'agent ou de
secrétaire que celui de l'artiste. Ça
m'a épuisée. J'avais besoin de
retrouver ma créativité.
En 1998 j'ai eu l'occasion de refaire connaissance avec l'argile et sa
boue lisse et fraîche m’a fait du bien.
J'ai donc poursuivi ce plaisir et en 1999 j'ai rencontré
celui qui deviendra mon mentor, Kevin Kushnier. J'ai suivi
ses cours puis loué de l'espace dans son studio et je suis
finalement devenue son apprenti. Il m'a enseigné
la roue de potier, l'usage des fours à gaz et
électriques. Depuis l'an 2002 je suis
potière à plein temps et l'essentiel de ma
production se veut utilitaire.
Présentement je fais des pièces tant
montées à la main que montées sur la
roue de potier et tant pour un usage quotidien que pour
l'embellissement de son espace. Je travaille le
grès et la porcelaine et cuit la céramique dans
un four électrique. Je suis très
influencée par la nature, utilisant herbes et coquilles pour
créer des textures.
Mon objectif est de créer beauté et
caractère dans chaque pièce que je
sculpte. Joindre la beauté et l'utilitaire me
permet de découvrir de nouvelles avenues
d'expression. J'aime expérimenter avec les formes,
les idées et les glaçures. Ces
expérimentations sont la source de mon apprentissage continu
et de mon évolution.
Chaque personne ressent à sa façon le bol, la
tasse ou la théière de céramique au
creux de ses mains. Mais ce que vous ressentez de
façon différente c'est la terre vivante, l'argile
humide façonnée par mes mains sur la roue du
potier.
Lisa-Marie
Vous voulez en savoir plus sur Lisa-Marie? Lisez ses méditations sur BlogSpot à http://lablanchepoterie.blogspot.com/
I began my journey as
a potter in 1987 and studied hand-building techniques for 2 years at a
City of Winnipeg recreation facility. After that brief introduction to pottery I drifted away from it as my career in music took
over. Music was always my first priority, but after working as an
independent artist for almost 30 years I became more focused on generating
business rather than directing my energies towards the creative process. Often wearing the
hats of agent, manager and secretary, rather than those of songwriter
and performer, I became worn out and longed to return to being
creative.
In 1998 my path led me back to clay. I accidentally stubbed my toe on a bag
of clay at a friend's house and then asked if I could use some clay and make something.
Since that day I've noticed how nicely all things clay-related have fallen into
my lap.
In 1999 I met my clay mentor Kevin Kushnier. I took his classes then rented space in his studio and after a short time became his apprentice. I received some intensive instruction on the potter’s wheel and watched intently as Kevin taught his classes. I learned additional hand building techniques and was given instruction in many types of surface decoration. I learned how to fire both electric and gas kilns.
Since 2002, when I became a full time studio potter, I’ve focused on utilitarian objects. Currently I'm making pieces that are both hand built and made on the potter's wheel that can be used for every day living and to create beautiful surroundings. I work mainly in stoneware and sometimes porcelain and fire in an electric kiln. I’m surrounded by nature and therefore I'm greatly influenced by it. I often incorporate nature's objects into my hand built work (seashells, leaves, seed pods and grasses) to achieve a variety of surface effects.
My path in ceramics has been comparatively easy to that of music. I've been given supplies in the way of dried up old blocks of clay (which can be easily reconstituted), raw glaze materials, tools and bags and pots of vintage glazes. Lately it is those things that have influenced my work the most. Since these things find their way to me I honour their presence in my studio by working with them and letting them lead me in the creation of my functional ware. My goal is to create beauty and character in each individual piece.
Something different touches each of us when we hold a bowl, cup or teapot. What you feel in each piece of pottery is the living earth that was formed as the potter’s wheel spun and the clay was drawn up between my hands.
Lisa-Marie
"Over the years I've been fortunate enough to collect a number of Lisa-Marie's pieces. Her work combines raw functionality with an amazing level of artistic flair and inspiration. What I like the most about her pottery is the way it feels when I use it. There is a warmth and comfort built into every piece, whether it is a teapot, soup bowl or coffee mug. Simply beautiful"