Robin Gilpin Ceramic Designs
Material Goods/Craft/Flea/Art
About
I am a functional potter. I work in stoneware and all of my work is handmade. A large portion of my creations are done in the sgraffito style, which means scratch in Italian, and Mishima, a type of pottery known for its slip inlay. I often participate in wood firings. I love wood firing more than any other firing technique. Costly and labor intensive it produces the most wonderful tactile surfaces and beautiful muted colors.
When my carving work gets too tedious, I take a break to focus more whimsical pieces that I throw on my kick wheel but spend several hours sculpting and carving till the mechanically perfect pot transforms and comes alive. I have started to incorporate found object into my whimsical monster series. My daughter and I scour flea markets and salvage yards looking for the perfect rusty wheel, springs, lugs, keys, tiny oil cans, nuts and bolts! My monster mugs, bowls, and jars—each one—somehow, take on a special personality of their own. Some creepy, some cute, they seem appeal to a wide variety of people. It has amazed me who is attracted to these creations and why. People everywhere are so diverse. I am inspired to create one-of-a-kind works that stay with me until the right owner comes up, holds it, falls in love and brings it home or gives it away to someone special in his or her life. Of course I have my favorites and often I am sad to let one go!
My desire is to provide art for everyday living to those who bring my pottery home, like that special mug for your morning coffee that makes you smile. Small joys like these set even the hardest days straight.
Programs and Partners
Production Practices
I am a functional potter. I work in stoneware and all of my work is handmade. A large portion of my creations are done in the sgraffito style, which means scratch in Italian, and Mishima, a type of pottery known for its slip inlay. I often participate in wood firings. I love wood firing more than any other firing technique. Costly and labor intensive it produces the most wonderful tactile surfaces and beautiful muted colors.
When my carving work gets too tedious, I take a break to focus more whimsical pieces that I throw on my kick wheel but spend several hours sculpting and carving till the mechanically perfect pot transforms and comes alive. I have started to incorporate found object into my whimsical monster series. My daughter and I scour flea markets and salvage yards looking for the perfect rusty wheel, springs, lugs, keys, tiny oil cans, nuts and bolts! My monster mugs, bowls, and jars—each one—somehow, take on a special personality of their own. Some creepy, some cute, they seem appeal to a wide variety of people. It has amazed me who is attracted to these creations and why. People everywhere are so diverse. I am inspired to create one-of-a-kind works that stay with me until the right owner comes up, holds it, falls in love and brings it home or gives it away to someone special in his or her life. Of course I have my favorites and often I am sad to let one go!
My desire is to provide art for everyday living to those who bring my pottery home, like that special mug for your morning coffee that makes you smile. Small joys like these set even the hardest days straight.
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