Leaves Square Plate

STATEMENT
My career with clay has been a relatively short one- thirteen years- but the act of creating and capturing volume has been a long one- thirty years- as an architectural designer.  Through this profession I am able to answer my need to manipulate environments; working with clay addresses this need as well.
I hand build from slabs of porcelain clay.  I create series of functional pieces: trays, ewers and vessels. The majority of these pieces are comprised of two slabs of clay joined at the edges leaving a “pocket” of volume inside. I visualize the shapes in terms of elevations and edges.  The “pocket” of volume contrasts with the sharp edges of the profile.  I also create a series of wall pieces. Based on the image of a house, they are experiments in texture or are embellished with found items and pieces of metal. While some communicate a message others are merely a combination of items that appeal to me.
Most all of these pieces employ the use of slip (liquid clay) in either black or white. Designs are created through different methods: sgrafitto, paper stencil, and texture. My pieces are twice fired using a clear matte glaze or left unglazed.  All of the functional pieces are food, microwave and dishwasher safe.
My work is not driven by a lofty spiritual or intellectual philosophy.  I have lines and shapes constantly tumbling around in my head.  Expressing them, whether it is in building or garden design, or in pottery is something I need to do.  It is just me living my life.

BIOGRAPHY
Lynda Ladwig is a 1978 graduate of the College of Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. Since 1980, she has been Architectural Designer and owner of OPA Studio, Lafayette, CO.