Friday 15 June 2012

From a time past




Before silversmithing and art teaching, I decorated pots for a living. 
I married into a family of ceramic artists. My dutch mother-in-law, Kitty Breeden, left school to work in a pottery when she was 15 (without telling her parents) - her pottery career spanned over 50 years. She was an acclaimed master potter and I worked with her for well over 10 years, decorating the pots she and my husband made. We ran our pottery together while my three children were little, living an idyllic life in a beautiful hinterland town. They are years full of very precious memories.

A family member visited last weekend with a box full of our ceramic work. As I pulled out each piece it took me right back to the time and place of their creation - sensory memory is a powerful thing indeed. Included in this box were the very first pots I decorated for my sister-in-law when I was probably 18, along with functional wares with designs I painted over and over for many years. But this vase, made in 1999 and teapot, made in 2000 are extra special so I thought I would share them with you all.


This is a platter someone returned to me following our fire.

4 comments:

  1. Ohh these are so so beautiful Maria...!! I specially love the painting of the plants on the vase - so gentle and filling the space beautifully - like a plant in real life would do, finding its way to the sun. I am in love with the tea pot too!How precious!
    It must be so special to see your works from the past. Great for me to see your works in another medium too :)

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    1. Thanks Erin. I was so excited to see them again. They are lovely shapes made by Kitty (the platter was made by Sean). I will be writing a post on Kitty in the future - and Clairy. I may even post some of my paintings and collages.
      I'm glad you like them!

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  2. Such wonderful memories! Love you, love your work!

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