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Stephanie O'Shaughnessy • Galena, IL • Ceramics
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I grew up on the east coast in Marblehead Massachusetts, a block and a half from the ocean. I knew nothing of pots or potters until I moved to Galena, Illinois in the late 60's.
I began to learn to make pots on my own, with the encouragement of my husband who had seen it done in college. We dug local clay, made a wheel and built a kiln. From that point, it was the generosity of other potters I happened to meet; and a ceramics teacher at Clarke College in Dubuque, who gave me my first text book that set me out on this lifelong adventure in earnest!
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With clay, there are endless possibilities and endless mysteries to unravel. It is joy and surprise -- risk, disappointment, and struggle. It beckons us to grow, to explore, to play, and offers meditative moments as we spin soft clay between our hands. Beyond any personal experience in the studio, there is great satisfaction in making an object to be used and enjoyed in the world -- a favorite mug, a generous bowl (symbol of giving and receiving), or some exuberant or quiet abstract vessel or sculpture for home or garden. |
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Because I am endlessly captivated by the diversity of clay bodies, glazes, forms and types of firing, I am constantly exploring. While porcelain inspires a certain form, stoneware might suggest something completely different. I trust my intuition and follow my inspiration, and my work is an expression of my sense of joy in discovery. I work with stoneware, porcelain, paperclay, and earthenware, and fire to both high and low temperatures in gas, electric, dung- and wood- burning kilns. My pottery in this exhibit is gas, electric and wood-fired. |
For over 10 years O'Shaughnessy was a gallery manager and her pottery is in many corporate and private collections.
She has also taught private and group classes and finds great joy in that nourishing atmosphere.
She currently works out of Studiowork in Elizabeth, Illinois and resides in Galena, Illinois. |
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