Phyliss Ward
Clay Artist
A life-long attraction to beautiful things led Phyliss
Ward to begin her college education with a major in art. But, she soon changed her focus to “something
more practical,” transferred to the science department and eventually
graduated with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture.
“I then began a career that started out in various
research laboratories and ended up in corporate management. I left my personal art totally behind for over
20 years, although I did continue to enjoy and collect other people’s
work.”
“Throughout those years, in the back of my head was
the thought that someday I’ll work with clay again…someday.”
That “someday” came in 1997 when a series of events
led Phyliss to re-examine her life and, with the help of a personal coach,
set new priorities for herself. She
signed up for a course in ceramics at Bakersfield College and took up
her art where she left off so many years before.
Immersing herself in her work, Phyliss developed a home studio
and also continued her education. She
has attended workshops led by well known Clay Artists Nick Joerling, Robin
Hopper, Tom Coleman, Lana Wilson, and David Wright.
“Through this process my work has been constantly
improving and evolving. Perhaps
because I am a Gemini, my taste runs back and forth between very simple,
smooth, wheel-thrown forms that are “tweaked” out of round in one way
or another, to basic forms heavily decorated with interesting designs
and textures.”
The later represents the bulk of her current work. These textures are created by pressing various
household objects, as well as stamps she has made out of bisqued clay
into the various forms she makes either on the potters wheel, or more
often, using “hand building” techniques.
Because of the decorating techniques, each piece is truly a one
of a kind. This particular work
has been influenced by many things; including her trips to Asia and the
work of Del Mar, California Clay Artist, Lana Wilson.
Similarly, her current work is divided somewhat evenly
into two basic firing techniques; the durable glass-like-glazes of stoneware,
produced in an electric or gas kiln, and the more fragile raku-fired pieces
with metallic and opalescent surfaces which are enhanced by the magic
of fire and smoke.
“Philosophically I am a firm believer that all things
happen for a reason. Perhaps the
reason I majored in science and left art behind for all those years was
because I was going to pick the most technically difficult of the arts
to work in later!”
“And why am I an Artist anyway? Well, another result of my coaching experience
in 1997 was the creation of my personal Life’s Purpose Statement.
Included in my statement are the elements of “connecting with others”
and “sharing beauty”. I believe that through my continuing work as
a Clay Artist, I will be able to fulfill that purpose.”
Bob Ward,
Business Owner
Current media of choise is clay.
After many years of work in
the professional medical laboratory field followed by 15+ years of owning
and developing a growing business, I have realized that a huge part of
the life that we can all experience while on this planet had been set
aside.
In 1998 I committed to setting
a personal goal to explore this creative aspect of our humanness by expressing
as much as possible, in tangible and visible form, those creative thoughts
and forms that I could awaken or conjure up from within (although it may
not be within at all and just seem that way). I am of the opinion that
we all have this creative aspect, that it is innate (god given if you
will), and that it is important enough that we should (albeit must) listen
to its call and bring it to a reasonable level of fruition.
My wife’s interest and work
in ceramics gained my attention in 1999 and I began to play with clay.
With a bit of guidance and removal of some cobwebs, preconceived notions,
and a serious shakedown of the structured side of my head, I was able
to achieve a reasonable level of peace, freedom, and pleasure from practicing
the art of art.
I feel that I am developing
into 2 styles – both parts of me that are true and developing ….
I sometimes prefer working with clay that is often too moist, too dry, too thin, too thick, or too bad. The stressed and repaired look says a lot about my ways of recent past. The challenge of making something better from “trash” (trash is a very personal concept and I “ ” it to designate it as “ trash” in my eyes only), repairing the torn or broken (I have a pragmatic side that has been well nurtured), and using the scraps left at the end of the day provides me with a reward that is seldom achieved when I start with what many would consider a “proper” preparation and design.
I do have the love and desire, however, to approximate perfection. This I express in my less abstract forms. Pieces that may resemble actual things are attempted. Perhaps one day I will develop this into a “next” level.
All of my work in non-functional and I hope it can and will be considered art. Many “teapot” effigies I have created in the past lack a bottom, as it would serve no purpose. Many vessel type forms have cracks and holes as they are only intended to mimic a vessel.
Well, enough about me. If I am nearby please tell me about yourself so I may continue to learn, grow and make progress.
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