COLETTE OLIVER
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Years As An Artist
about 40 Main Clay Body mid-range porcelain Primary Clay Building Methods Wheel thrown Favorite Studio Tool wiggle wire Clay Wishes or Dreams Handmade mugs in every kitchen. Children learning from an early age to use and appreciate handmade wares. |
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Artist Bio
I settled in South Carolina by way of Ohio, Kentucky, Nevada and Alaska. I spent my childhood near Cleveland, Ohio and received my BFA from Thomas More College in northern Kentucky, where I lived 27 years. After graduating, a classmate and I opened and operated Steinkrug Pottery in a German village in Covington, Kentucky called Main Strasse. My business partner changed careers and I went on to sell my work to Kentucky State Parks and various shops and galleries in the Midwest. In 2000 my work was included in the book A Pottery Tour of Kentucky by Joe Molinaro.
In 2003 I moved to the desert of Nevada and my pottery influences became the Native American rock writings, or petroglyphs. There I met my husband Wayne, and together we moved to Juneau in 2005 for our Alaskan adventure. That adventure lasted almost 7 years and we made some lasting memories and life-long friends. My pottery was influenced by the ocean, the rain, the bears, ravens, halibut, king crab, humpback whales and more.
Not being a fan of rain and snow, when Wayne retired in 2012, I convinced him to settle near the coast in South Carolina. The pace is slow, the people are friendly, the seafood is delicious, the weather is perfect and there's plenty to inspire my new work!
In 2003 I moved to the desert of Nevada and my pottery influences became the Native American rock writings, or petroglyphs. There I met my husband Wayne, and together we moved to Juneau in 2005 for our Alaskan adventure. That adventure lasted almost 7 years and we made some lasting memories and life-long friends. My pottery was influenced by the ocean, the rain, the bears, ravens, halibut, king crab, humpback whales and more.
Not being a fan of rain and snow, when Wayne retired in 2012, I convinced him to settle near the coast in South Carolina. The pace is slow, the people are friendly, the seafood is delicious, the weather is perfect and there's plenty to inspire my new work!
Artist Statement
Most of my work is thrown on my potters wheel, while some pieces are built from slabs. After drying for about a week, I fire them twice to around 2000 degrees Farenheit.
I can hardly remember a time when I did not make pottery. My hands have been in clay since I was 15 and I can't imagine a time when they will not be. I am a functional potter and strive to make art available and affordable for everyone. It may not seem like much, but cooking in and eating off handmade pottery is so much more of an enjoyable experience for me than eating off plastic or mass-produced ware. There is a connection between the user and the maker, human hand to human hand that is exciting to me and fuels my passion to create in clay.
My pottery has always reflected my environment to some degree, as I feel it should. The ocean, trees, plants, wildlife, sea life, sunshine and more will continue to find their way into my South Carolina work. My pieces each have their own unique personalities, yet are related to all the pots that came before them, just as we are connected to the ancient peoples who came before us.
I hope you will use and enjoy my pots. They are lead-free, microwave, oven and dishwasher safe.
I can hardly remember a time when I did not make pottery. My hands have been in clay since I was 15 and I can't imagine a time when they will not be. I am a functional potter and strive to make art available and affordable for everyone. It may not seem like much, but cooking in and eating off handmade pottery is so much more of an enjoyable experience for me than eating off plastic or mass-produced ware. There is a connection between the user and the maker, human hand to human hand that is exciting to me and fuels my passion to create in clay.
My pottery has always reflected my environment to some degree, as I feel it should. The ocean, trees, plants, wildlife, sea life, sunshine and more will continue to find their way into my South Carolina work. My pieces each have their own unique personalities, yet are related to all the pots that came before them, just as we are connected to the ancient peoples who came before us.
I hope you will use and enjoy my pots. They are lead-free, microwave, oven and dishwasher safe.
Contact info:
You can find Colette’s work at the Pluff Mudd Gallery in Bluffton, SC or her home studio by appointment.
www.mainstreetpotterusa.com
[email protected]
843-295-9419
www.etsy.com/shop/MainStreetPotteryUSA
facebook: Colette Oliver Main Street Pottery
instagram: @mainstreetpotteryusa
www.mainstreetpotterusa.com
[email protected]
843-295-9419
www.etsy.com/shop/MainStreetPotteryUSA
facebook: Colette Oliver Main Street Pottery
instagram: @mainstreetpotteryusa