I am fortunate to be working with clay, which is so wonderfully tactile and responsive; an alluring medium with enduring results. As a potter, I want my pots to inhabit daily life - nourishment, celebration, comfort, and decoration. Lofty goals for a humble pot! In our hurried world, using hand-made objects can give us a moment to pause, observe and connect with the maker.
I create pottery that combines clean modern form with bold graphic patterns inspired from the richness and diversity around me – landscape, textiles, botany, the microscopic world. I draw upon my background in microbiology and apply it to my art practice. I approach clay in a methodical manner, combining wheel-thrown and altered pieces with slab elements. I embrace coaxing form and surface decoration to interplay in a symbiotic way. I also love color, and the challenge of using it in complementary ways. Creating work that successfully balances form, color, line and pattern is a goal and a thrill I never tire of as I am driven by my passion to create.
My life with clay has been enriched over the years by my experience as an instructor. I find making the world of clay accessible to others very rewarding, whether through individual projects, workshops, or school-wide collaborative installations. In both the studio and the classroom, working with clay is a very satisfying and challenging endeavor as I strive to make pottery that communicates my passion as a maker while making connections with others.
Nicki Rae Photography
TEACHING and COMMUNITY PROJECTS & EXPERIENCES
Boulder Potters’ Guild member. Board President 2020-2022.
Under the Mesa- Eight mosaic tile panels for Pedestrian underpass in Louisville, 2021.
Art Student League of Denver Faculty.
Arapahoe Community College, Invited Workshop. Littleton, CO. 2020.
Studio Arts Boulder, Instructor,2020.
Workshop: Garden Sculpture, and Totems - by request.
Decoration Demystified workshop - ASLD.
Romero Park Geometry Point Mosaic, Lafayette, CO, 2016.
Coal Creek Elementary School, Louisville, CO, mosaic benches, 2012.
Douglass Elementary School - mosaic and sculpture with school, 2004, 2008.
Surface Decoration Workshop – City of Westminster, 2010.
Visiting Artist– Coal Creek Elementary School, 2009.
Visiting Artist – Explore Elementary School, Thornton; tile mural installation 2007.
President Board of Directors - East Boulder County Artists, 2008-2010
GALLERIES
Rabid Rabits, Boulder, CO.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, CO.
Artisan Center, Cherry Creek, Denver, CO.
Creative Framing Art Gallery, Louisville, CO.
Denver Botanic Gardens Gift Shop, Denver, CO.
Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts, Museum Gift Shop, Denver, CO.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO.
Freehand Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
Seasons on St. Croix, Hudson, WI.
The Grand Hand Gallery, St. Paul, MN.
Margo’s Pottery & Fine Craft, Buffalo, WY.
ART AWARDS/HONORS/EXHIBITS
“delectable-The Fine Art of Dining”– Art Student’s League of Denver2023, 2019, 2017, 2014, 2013
”delectable-The Fine Art of Dining”– Art Student’s League of Denver 2023 - 2nd Place Winner
“Contained-Teapots” Honorable Mention, Longmont CO, 2013
30 x 6 x 6 Ceramic Tile Invitational, San Angelo Texas, 2013
“Circular Paths” – 3 Woman Exhibit, 2011, Firehouse Art Center, Longmont, CO
Best of 3D – Boulder Open Arts Fine Arts Fair 2010
First Place in Ceramics – Golden Fine Arts Festival 2010
Second Place in Ceramics – Golden Fine Arts Festival, 2009
Best of Show and First Place in Ceramics – Golden Fine Arts Fair 2008
Boulder Arts and Craft Cooperative – “Beyond Boulder”; Featured Artist Sept 7-21, 2004
Colorado Teapots –Dushanbe Teahouse, Boulder Colorado, 2002
Art for the Table – NCECA Exhibit 1999
PUBLICATIONS
Ceramics Monthly, January 2021-Clay Culture
Crested Butte Magazine - Hopeful Birds, 2021.
Colorado Home and Lifestyles - summer 2015
Niche Magazine, Spring 2014
500 Teapots (2013)
500 Cups (2005)