I have been throwing clay for over 10 years now but I only just opened my first pottery, English Lily Designs in 2002. Over the last 10 years I have indulged my love of pottery and learned my craft, first in the Far East and then the United Kingdom and finally here at home in Canada. My pottery has evolved with my inherent need to combine practicality with beauty. Surrounding yourself with beautiful items that have practical uses makes each day just that bit better.
Most of my pieces are influenced by the Asian traditions that I learned in Taipei and the English ceramic methods and traditions I learned in the United Kingdom.
The functional pieces reflect my love affair with shape and colour. I love taking a squishy piece of clay and moulding it into something both beautiful and useful. Each piece is designed to be soothing and comforting to the touch while visually enchanting one with it’s colour.
Clay, as a medium, has a mind of it's own. It will only be pushed so far, after which it must be gently coaxed. It is with this gentle coaxing that the forms take shape.
I use mainly stoneware in my work. I started working with stoneware in the UK and was soon drawn on it’s versatility and durability. I use mainly red stoneware - Probably an influence from my experiences in the Far East with red earthenware. But the red, white and black stoneware clay is selected based on how it holds and displays the beautiful glazes that create the visual experience of using my pottery.
I love vibrant colours. From the Sea Mist turquoise, to the Sand Dust cream with flecks of golden sand, all these brilliant colours come together to build the visual sensation.
Katy Shi Perry – Ontario, Canada