Feature: potter Juliette Scheffers
Juliette Scheffers
When I first tried pottery I felt more alive and well within myself than I had in a very long time. - JS
Juliette Scheffers is a potter from Fredericton who works with an incredibly finicky but beautiful technique called crystalline. The process entails growing crystals directly on the surface of her pieces while carefully gauging levels of heat while the pieces are in the kiln. It all started when she attended a pottery class and promptly fell in love with clay. She then attended the NB College of Craft and Design and proceeded to build her business while raising three children. Juliette is now recognized for her signature crystalline pottery pieces and has won awards for her work. Her pieces are stunningly unique and one-of-a-kind, truly pieces of functional art.
Juliette was recently awarded a creation grant by ArtsNB which will fund a new series of work that will appear at the Buckland Merrifield Gallery in September. Congratulations Juliette, we can't wait to see your new work!
I asked Juliette to share a bit about herself. Read below!
(Just click on the galleries to enlarge the photos)
What has been your creative journey? How did you start?
My creative journey has been a very interesting one. I actually went to university for six years before I ever knew my path would be lie with art and clay. In my last year of university, my partner died from cancer. I was a single mother and needed to find work instead of finishing my schooling. I had a background in management and arts, and so I was able to land an administration contract at the College of Craft and Design in Fredericton. Due to the fact that I was an employee there, I was able to take an evening non-credit course at the college for half price. I had been through a very difficult year and since my daughter was so little, I did not do much for myself. So I decided to give it a go. The only slot available was the pottery course. I went and was hooked right away. I knew instantly that it was my calling, and so I did not renew my admin position and became a full time student, graduating with honours in 2000.
How did you get your training?
My training began at the College, and has been a continuing journey throughout my career. Many years of trial and error has gotten me to where I am today - many pots lost and loads of kiln shelves to clean. In 2013, I had the opportunity to go to Spain and partake in a wonderful symposium of crystalline potters. I learned so much within those days. I have made many wonderful potter friends, whom are great go-to people when I need advice, and vice-versa. We learn from each other. I also teach pottery which has continued to be a wonderful learning process for me.
What materials do you use?
All my work is made with high-fired porcelain clay. Porcelain is a bit tricky to throw on the wheel because it has hardly any clay material in it. I use it because it shows the crystals best. I grow crystals in the surface of my glazes - made up of zinc, silica and ingredients to make it melty and colourful.
Can you describe your creative process?
In a nutshell, I throw for approximately 5 to 8 days on the wheel, making whatever I feel like making. Sometimes I want to sit and produce twenty mugs, and sometimes, I may not even make it the wheel, but prefer to sculpt and make reliefs by hand. Lately, I do a combination of both - I start out making a piece on the wheel, and then alter it by hand. Once the work is leather hard, I finish the piece and let it dry. Once I have enough work to fill my 10 cubic feet kiln, I load it and fire it to what is called bisque. When the kiln is cool enough, I unload it and glaze the bisque pieces. I make all my own glazes from scratch and brush them on carefully so that the thickness is completely controlled. I then fire again to 1300 degrees celsius, holding the kiln at various temperatures when it cools in order for crystals to grow.
This explains the nitty gritty of my creative process, however, before any of this can happen, I have to be inspired. Much of my creative inspiration comes from nature - not only for how it looks, but more so for how it makes me feel. It could be the roar of the ocean that makes me feel power that wants to be expressed, or it could be the simple curve of a fallen apple tree that inspires me to incorporate it into one of my pieces. I also obtain inspiration from life itself - the beautiful moments of love and friendship and also the painful part of loss and desolation.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical work day looks like getting my children ready for school, going out to do barn chores (we have horses) and then going to my studio for the rest of the day until my kids come home.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as an artist?
I would say that some of the biggest challenges most artists face ( including myself ) is to balance the creative urge with the urge to make money. Most potters know, for example, that mugs sell - people associate pottery with mugs and, they are usually more obtainable so they sell very well. However, I do not always want to make mugs. If pressured to make them for financial reasons or because some shops demand them - I feel like I am more of a production operation than an artist. I then resent making them. I only want to make them when I want to make them. I guess I am spoiled.
What brings you the most joy in what you do?
When my creative urges flow easily, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a well thought out and well-made piece that actually has a story to tell. This feels amazing. I also must say that I get great joy out of playing with glaze formulations and firing schedules - and seeing how one little thing can alter the look of the final result. Lets just say that I often burn my fingers unloading my glaze firing.
How would you like to see your artistic practice grow over the next 5-10 years?
I am ready to only make one-of-a-kind pieces and I would like to head into that direction in the next few years. I also want to veer out and play with reduction firings of crystals and matte surfaces. It is very difficult to obtain information about this and even harder to do, but I like the challenge and the thought of doing something different for every piece that I make.
Find out more about Juliette below: