Ceramic whimsical mugs by Laurie Graham
Ceramic yarn bowl by Laurie Graham
Ceramic wind chime by Laurie Graham
Laurie Graham presents her newest pottery pieces for the month of June at In-Town Gallery. The native Tennessean is known to the community through her weekly presence at the Chattanooga Market. “Let Me Entertain You” is the title of this show and her pieces are both whimsical and functional.
Review for Laurie Graham:
Ms. Graham, who graduated from Tennessee Technological University Appalachian Center for Crafts, took to clay immediately. “I am drawn to the clay and the way it feels in my hands. Though most of my work is wheel thrown, there are infinite ways one can manipulate clay to become whatever shape the mind holds.”
After 28 years of making pottery, she enjoys changing over to hand built pieces from time to time. Most of her inspiration comes from nature, the shape of a leaf, intertwining vines or flowers, some of which can be pressed into the clay to form patterns. Lots of the new, spring collection is to be used in the garden. Others are totally functional for home use.
Ms. Graham’s whimsical side comes out in the yarn bowls, mugs, platters and soup tureens. “I like for my pots to have purpose and be useful. If they also make someone laugh or smile then that is just an added bonus, my way of adding entertainment value. I love experimenting with all the different facial expressions that I can get from just the slightest change in placement of a feature like an eyebrow.” A silly mood helps develop these three-dimensional cartoon objects as they are not pre-planned but made up as she goes along.
The lengthy process begins with raw clay and the basic shapes are normally thrown on the wheel one day then, partially dry, the foot is trimmed the next day. It is while in this leather hard stage that the faces are manipulated by adding or taking away clay. Once the objects have completely dried they are bisque fired at about 1900 degrees farenheit. This will harden the piece so it will not be fragile and porous. The next stage is the glaze which is brushed on and then fired to 2300 degrees. Each firing takes from 8 to 14 hours and then another day to cool completely.
Along with ceramics the gallery will show paintings, sculpture, fiber arts, wood objects, glass and jewelry. Come meet the artists at the opening reception June 2 at 26A Frazier Ave. on the North Shore.
In-Town Gallery is open every day, year round except for major holidays. Hours are 11 aa.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. on Sunday and until 8 p.m. on First Fridays. Call 267-9214 or visit www.facebook.com/intowngallery.