BABES OF MUD AND FIRE
A collective of 3 fabulous artisans :
Margery Shore / Janet Cross / Mary Curtis
Margery Shore
After introduction to clay at LSU under Joe Bova, Linda Arbuckle and Bobby Silverman, I began illustrating pottery in the belief that everyday items should be special and add to one’s life. Tin-glazed terra cotta, cone 6 porcelain, and cone 10 salt glazing are the processes of choice. Majolica, underglaze painting and drawing, as-well-as sgraffito are the decoration techniques. Clay is such a wonderful medium in that it takes a plebeian materiel and, through manipulation, chemistry and physics, becomes a beautiful, touchable, luscious piece of usable art. The imagery I choose is anchored in the world we live. Hand-made angels in memory of my mother are called Jo’s Angels.
I am a third of Babes of Mud and Fire
Mary Curtis
I have been a potter for over 20 years. I received my BA and MA from Highlands University in Las Vegas New Mexico majoring in painting and weaving along with a minor in biology. I made the switch to pottery when the arthritis in my hands forced me to quit spinning and weaving. I also had become allergic to oil paint fumes. Because I have always had an interest in wildlife, I decided to combine that interest with my pottery creating my endangered species series to raise people's awareness to the plight of species around the world. The processes of wheel throwing and slab work are electric, gas and salt fired.
I am a third of the Babes of Mud and Fire.
Janet Cross
At the ripe old age of six, she was tossed the 500+ page Sears "Wish Book" Christmas catalog and told to find something she liked, a potter’s wheel was chosen. Instead a drum set was delivered! Blame Sears, the cosmos or Mom having too many martinis while ordering. At the time, it just wasn’t meant to be. Fast forward to the early 90's, where the pressures of life have her seeking an alternative to therapy and Valium. U of A Continuing Ed – potter’s wheel, like minded folk and clay all equaled bliss. Life happens, more idle decades pass and finally it’s meant to be. Now, mostly a self taught potter, Janet works in clay daily, experiments with glaze finishes and is obsessed with all things fire as shown in her Horsehair, Raku & Obvara pieces. However, there still isn’t enough time in the universe to create with clay and play madly with fire.
I am a third of Babes of Mud and Fire.
