Virginia Dawnswir
Clay work has been the central focus of my life for over 50 years. I do not have an elaborate verbal explanation for this. All I know is that I love this wonderfully plastic, responsive, and muddy medium. The desire to make things is not just satisfying but essential to me. The mud and the mess are just plain fun to work in.
My work has been focused on making primarily functional vessels with imagery in black, white, and celedon green. I use various etching, carving, and sgrafitto techniques to produce my images. My background in drawing and printmaking has influenced me to use the impressionable surface of clay for drawing. The human figure, whales, dolphins, and contrasting abstract designs are the things to which I am drawn.
My current body of work includes the use of paper clay in addition to my normal white stoneware body. Paper clay has an increased wet strength and allows for even drying of work. It allows an artist the freedom to push the boundaries of how clay can be worked. Until recently, I have worked primarily on the potter’s wheel. The hand-building process has been quite liberating, and I am enjoying the experience tremendously!
I have been a professional potter, instructor to both adults and children, and exhibitor at various galleries and shows along the East Coast to include the Artisan’s Center of Virginia, American Crafts Council Shows, Art Rider Shows – NYC, Crozet Arts & Crafts Fair, and many other craft fairs. I am retired now, and still dabble in clay, volunteer at the Rockfish Valley Gallery, raise grass-fed beef, garden extensively, and recently became a CASA advocate (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the Court System).