ARTIST MEMBER Sharon Kehmna

I am primarily a ceramic artist who has been playing with earth, in one form or another, since I was a small child. My explorations began in beach sand and dirt piles and continued on to small clay pots that I pinched or threw on a kick wheel that my father built.

I enjoy the tactile and intuitive nature of working in clay. I love the challenge of its properties. Clay connects me to earth and life and centers me.

In addition to creating functional, wheel-thrown pottery, I enjoy hand building with clay slabs and altering wheel thrown forms. Sometimes I add rich textural decoration that I print into the clay. I find my textures in nature, recyclables and hardware stores. It never ceases to amaze me how a small piece of plastic fencing, a mesh bag, or a sea shell can become an interesting, earthy design when pressed into clay.

I also enjoy exploring other art mediums, such as pastel painting and photography.