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Raku Pottery by Ceramic Artist, Ellen Statz

Pottery in general and Raku in particular have been a passion of Ellen’s for over 20 years. For a time she was known as the "Alligator Lady". At one point, the urge struck to create a life sized crocodile. Kitchen chairs and table were cleared out to make room for a bench and large bucket of clay. The result was a very convincing seven foot long "croco-gator" that sadly did not survive the firing process. With several changes in technique, two large scale creatures now keep her company in the garden........and occasionally startle visitors!

Ellen’s most recent work has focussed on botanical textures and impressions. Real leaves are incorporated into designs that appear on three dimensional vessels and murals. In the firing, Raku really brings the work to life in an amazing interplay of texture, pattern and iridescent colour set against a rich background of blackened clay.

"When I get my hands into the clay, all is right in my world. The possibilities are endless. Clay is truly a magical material and while I have learned a lot since my first pottery class, I am very aware that I have much more to learn, and so many more things to try. See Ellens latest 2009 creations on the gallery page.