The vibrancy of red earth has always attracted me. The terra cotta clay I use is smooth and sensual, easy to manipulate on the wheel. It is a suggestive surface for design and the juxtaposition of light and shadow.
Terra cotta has been used for centuries for decorative and utilitarian purposes to adorn the corridors and tables of everyday life.
White majolica glaze invites color and pattern. To it, I apply Mason stains that I mix from powdered pigments in my studio. After applying the stain, I carve into the pigment, again revealing the white majolica underneath.
A peach pit is the design tool I use to create my potter’s mark. It makes a leaf-life pattern that can be found on each piece of L. Koehler Pottery.