Daria Claiborne
Growing up in Baxter Springs, Kansas, I spent most of my free time either outside enjoying nature or inside creating things. This was more of a necessity since I was the only girl in my family and neighborhood. As a potter and an avid gardener, I have always been drawn to creating, nurturing and growing. Development in my pottery is inspired by nature. I strive to create work that concentrates on forms taken from the world around me….forms with a natural flow and rhythm inviting touch by the viewer. The soft curve of a flower petal with its natural imperfections, rugged rock formations, the smooth curvatures of a sea shell…there is beauty in all nature that I try to emulate. Ceramics should look and feel natural …like an extension of the maker’s own hand. I make pottery because of its challenges and possibilities are limitless.
As I’m going through the artistic process, I want to learn something new about the clay and it’s capabilities…will this handle work on this form…does it need a lid to complete the form…will a dart alter a form enough to give it more movement.. how far can the clay stretch before it reaches the breaking point or can the form be fired successfully? I enjoy “spiffing” things up…adding distortions, slip, textures and glazing methods. These techniques add interest and propel me toward more exploration in future work. I’ve found that one technique leads to another.
Everything about pottery is a learning experience. And I can’t forget about “happy accidents”…those things that just happen, but work beautifully! Each piece is an extension of myself and so much care is given to its many stages. Unfortunately, the fragility of pottery can often lead to heartache. There can be clay weakness that I hadn’t anticipated and it doesn’t make it through a firing. And sometimes a particular creation can make it through all the forming, firings and glazing only to be accidentally broken later.
Above all, I love the satisfaction of starting with a lump of clay and ending with a recognizable, altered shape….a shape that has a functional, intriguing form. Being unique is something that I strive for. In my work I always remember that perfection is nice, but striving for artistic integrity always preferred.
Please, enjoy and above all use my creations!
Daria Claiborne
3402 Finley Ave.
Joplin, MO 64801
417-437-1253
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