Sue wilkinsonA September day in 2003 changed my life forever. I became hooked on
clay! Never having played with clay before, I took my first hand building course and loved it. A few weeks later I became acquainted with the wheel, and that was it. Fifteen years, and hundreds of pots later, I am still enjoying "playing." I grew up in Yorkshire, England, and emigrated to British Columbia in 1992. Of course I cherish my British heritage, and there are a few things that I miss - like the really good Pubs there - but I have never regretted coming to Canada and count myself very lucky to be here. Ladner was my first home in BC. The Delta Potters Association in Tsawwassen is where my pottery story starts, and I enjoyed many happy years as a member of the group there. In 2013 my hubby and I retired and we decided to spread our wings and move to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, and we immediately joined the Arrowsmith Potters Guild that is housed in the old train station in Parksville. After a year or so we became members of the Nanaimo Pottery Coop and a while later we were invited to become members of the Mid-Island Potters group. At present I sell my pieces at the Train Station Pottery Shop in Parksville and take part in their yearly Christmas Sale. As well, I sell at the Mid-Island Sale in Qualicum each November, and the sales that the Nanaimo Pottery Coop put on at the Country Club Mall in Nanaimo. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to become a potter. It opened the door to a life of challenge and reward, and a never-ending "what shall I try next!"
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barb strachanJanuary 2025's featured Potter of the Month is Barb Strachan...a member of Arrowsmith Potters Guild since 1997 and a founding member and pottery teacher at the Train Station Pottery Shop. Barb finds inspiration in nature, particularly the ocean, and this is often reflected in her pottery.
Sisu Pottery I have loved pottery for as long as I can remember, but it has only been in the past few years that I ventured into making my own. I was looking for something to assist in improving my work/life balance, and I found that pottery quiets my brain and shifts my thinking towards the process of creating something new. Through this journey, Sisu pottery was born. Sisu is a Finnish word without a direct English translation, so there is a range of definitions. One of my favourites is from Emilia Lahti, “Sisu begins where perseverance and grit end. It is the ‘second wind’ of mental toughness after the individual has reached their limits of their observed mental or physical capacities”. I enjoy making functional pottery, creating pieces that are inspired by nature and that celebrate the uniqueness of each piece. I strive to make pottery that can stand up to daily life, including being able to put your favourite cup in your pack to drink your coffee in your favourite outdoor locations. I recently started making earrings and am enjoying experimenting with different techniques to make pieces that are reflective of the natural beauty around us. lee steadThere's something very exciting about a freshly rolled out slab of clay.
The possibilities are endless. I want to push the boundaries of whatever ideas spring to mind. I want to be surprised and learn new things. The creative process of hand-built pottery brings me joy, whether it's functional tableware or decorative wall art. I invite you to savour the results of my 25 years of playful whimsical indulgence. the optimistic potter![]() I was introduced to pottery in my 20’s when I took a class and fell in love with having my hands in the mud creating. I have enjoyed creating through other art mediums through the years, but pottery was always on my mind. In retirement I am able to enjoy committing time to pottery, and to continually improve my skills and learn new things. I love to play with different shapes and glaze colours. I make mostly functional pottery using the wheel, which is my passion, or using handbuilding techniques. I enjoy the ability to turn a lump of clay into something unique and beautiful. It's fun to explore making different shapes and using a variety of glaze combinations to get unique and beautiful colours. There is always so much to learn and explore, that I can’t imagine ever getting tired of this art form. I hope my pieces bring joy to the owner, through the feel of it in their hand, the colours, or the memories made while using the piece. donna rathkeUsually, I only make functional pottery. However, I have started to make some different pots for our Guild’s November 9th Christmas Sale. These include ceramic Christmas trees, Fairy houses and Gonks. The Fairy houses have a secret compartment when the house is lifted off the plate which can be used to hide messages, store jewelry or even be a garlic holder. Some of them can be used as luminaries with a candle or battery operated light. So I guess these could also be called functional pottery.
June Parker![]() I joined Arrowsmith Pottery Guild just over 2 1⁄2. years ago after attending a class instructed by Barb Strachan, a talented instructor from the guild, and have enjoyed the sense of community and sharing here since. I started my hobby of pottery in Calgary 35 years ago with Bob Reimer, a potter who shared his skill and humour. He is missed. After a 30 year break I am rediscovering the fun and challenge that pottery brings. I enjoy that my functional pieces are always evolving and continually challenging. The reintroduction to pottery has given me an creative outlet A favourite component of throwing is playing with different techniques of surface texturing and experimenting with glazes. Juanita Kehler![]() Juanita Kehler is a multimedia artist whose practice has ranged from creative director, graphic artist, animation, painting, drawing, wood and soap stone craving and paper mache. Since retiring to the island when it is taken up wet felting, wire sculpture, free motion embroidery, Zentangle and now pottery has been her passion for pass four years. Nature plays a large role in my inspiration for both the design and decoration of the pottery. I am primarily inspired by my natural environment which includes a birds, plants and of course my imagination. I enjoy using multi-layered colours and patterns to decorate the surface of my pieces. It is my intention for each pottery piece to be unique and one of a kind. This uniqueness, I hope, reminds the user that it is handmade and not part of our mass produced world. Each piece is hand built. Once my pottery piece is dry I move to painting, decorating with slip or carving than it will go for the first (bisque) firing. I paint with food safe ceramic color stains and glazes using brushes and applicators. They are then dipped in glaze and in for the final firing at 2100 degrees. To me art has been the air that I breathe, without it life is not complete. hazel dean![]() I began my pottery journey six years ago, taking classes and workshops at the Nanaimo Ceramics Gallery. Although I’ve dabbled in many forms of artistic expression including painting, knitting,and clothing design, once I began pottery lessons, I was smitten and had found my path! I love the functional aspect of ceramics as well as the many forms of expression available to a potter. My inspiration comes from a love of nature, the changing seasons, and my childhood memories, living and working on our prairie farm in the summer and winters in our small town community… I have a love of cycling and have toured most of Canada on a bicycle. This too, is reflected in my work. I am a big fan of vintage, shabby chic design and find inspiration in fabrics, old-world carpets and quilt patterns. I aim for a light, whimsical touch, with a hint of humour and a lot of joy ….. my journey is continual process of learning and inquisitiveness. As a member of the APG, I’ve enjoyed meeting many inspired potters and am constantly learning from so many talented individuals. It’s’ an honour to be a part of this creative, sharing community and I hope to continue this journey for many years to come. Sincerely, Hazel Dean jenelle cassidy
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