Sara Baker Handmade Stoneware

I have been making hand-thrown and altered functional stoneware pottery for over ten years. I love sitting down to throw at the wheel and getting lost in the process. Seeing my kiln full of strong useful pots is still satisfying after all these years. I like to think about where these pots end up—on peoples' tables and in peoples' hands, being used and appreciated.

Each of my pieces illustrates the processes behind its creation as well as the hand of its creator. The vessel expresses its history for the user to think about and experience, introducing an element of ritual into basic human experience. These functional pots are appropriate for everyday eating, drinking, and preparing and serving food. All of my pots are lead-free and microwave and dishwasher safe. They can be safely used in the oven if they are placed there before it is turned on and allowed to warm up along with the oven.

More recently I have developed a style of decorated pottery that explores and celebrates the forms of pots and places less emphasis on function. These vessels begin on the wheel. I throw, alter, and trim each one until it reaches its basic shape. While the clay is still wet, I carefully remove areas of clay leaving raised ridges that define the design. Layers of contrasting glazes sprayed onto the pieces highlight the shapes and carvings.

These hand-carved low-relief vessels offer me a way to interpret patterns I see in nature all around me. The designs end up abstract, but they are born when I see ripples in water or sand, lines in wood grain, swirls on shells, or even patterns in clouds. I create big pots for this work (an exciting challenge in itself), because they provide more room for developing the patterns of decoration. Many of the pots produced in this newer style are very useable, but form and decoration take precedence. I keep the shapes fairly basic so they provide the best backdrop for the intricate decoration.