Eleanore Despina

I find the process of turning a ball of clay (which is basically mud!) into a beautiful object, quite wonderful. I like that this art has a hands-on, get-dirty side, and another side – glazing – that requires me to understand chemistry, mix minerals, and test glazes again and again.
There is a rhythm to making pots – throwing, bisque firing, glazing and firing again – that creates a cycle almost like the seasons. Throwing the pot carries the newness and excitement of spring. The final firing, when the pot emerges in its wrapper of glaze, is the moment of surprise on Christmas morning. I feel I’ll never learn all there is to know in the pursuit of this fascinating art form.