(Photos and text by Marie-Hélène Morell)

*This interview was made possible by a grant from artsnb. Thanks so much artsnb!*

Isabelle Lafargue is a wizardess with a paintbrush. She creates lines and colours which are immortalized on the polished white porcelain surfaces of her pieces. Hers is a discipline which is neither pottery nor paint, but a sort of combination of both. Each layer of paint requires specific times and temperatures in the kiln to achieve the correct tone and intensity, making these pieces incredibly labour intensive. Much like bridal china sets which are passed down from generation to generation, each piece is meant to be a treasured heirloom. Isabelle and her family moved to Dieppe from St-Pierre-et-Miquelon in 2011. After registering her son for a porcelain painting workshop, he came back saying “You have to try it mom!”. She decided to try it and was hooked from the beginning. Now Isabelle fills her time with creating new pieces, teaching courses, craft fairs and all that goes with being an artisan entrepreneur.

Before going to visit Isabelle in her studio in Dieppe, I showed my little girls some of her work. They loved her whimsical designs, Fiona especially liked the dragonflies. When we arrived we were warmly welcomed and shown into her home. It houses not only to her family but also to her husband’s business (he is a piano tuner/repairman), and her studio. She has a room for herself with a work desk and a desk for administration. Behind her are shelves full of porcelain pieces in various stages of completion, and in front are the mirrored display cases where she keeps her finished pieces. This is her little corner dedicated to creativity, her world away from the distractions of home where she can delve into her work.

Isabelle shared her journey and her passion with us in such a way to make us want to try porcelain painting. Just before leaving she came out with a small bag containing a small delicate heart-shaped piece, "for the little one who loves dragonflies." Thanks Isabelle for the visit and for the dish, it makes us think of you!

What was your creative journey? How did you become a porcelain painter?

I have drawn and painted since my childhood. I’ve always wanted to be a painter, but I didn’t choose it first. I did my studies in France in various fields and I worked in the entertainment, arts and culture sector for over 15 years. I had spent time with professional artists and extraordinary amateurs in different disciplines. And then one day, because of my eldest son, I discovered porcelain painting and I enrolled in a seminar with a famous French porcelain painter. I fell in love right away. It was the link between painting and my love for tableware and decor. I then took a crash course in porcelain painting in Limoges, France, and I have not stopped painting, creating, experimenting in my studio since.

What was your training?

I am primarily self-taught. However, I have done painting classes (oil and acrylic) with experienced painters. Regarding porcelaine painting, I attended intensive seminars with a porcelain painter in France and one in Switzerland. I also completed an intensive professional training in Limoges, France. And a lot of reading and experimenting in my studio, mostly.

What attracts you to porcelain? Why is it special for you?

There are several things that attract me to painting on porcelain: - Porcelain is a noble and delicate base material. I like its whiteness and translucency - I am attracted by the variety of forms that offer many possibilities and challenges - I like working with a pen, as well as making the brush slide across the piece - I like the successive steps needed to create the final piece - I like the fact that firing reveals the colors and brightens up the piece - I like being able to create decorative or functional pieces of art Painting on porcelain is above all a pleasure to share.

Can you describe the steps needed to create one of your pieces?

The steps vary from one piece to another depending on the complexity of the designs and techniques. In general you first have to draw the design you want to paint on the piece and create a balance between what is in your head and the shape of the piece. Then there are successive stages that depend on colour (metal oxides), the shine, precious metals, textures... and their cooking temperatures as well as the colour intensity that is to be obtained. Between each step, the piece is fired at temperatures ranging from 780-950 degrees Celsius and spends 16 to 20 hours in the kiln. Some of my pieces have required a dozen firings!

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day is a day dedicated to creating, teaching and professional development. The days vary depending on whether I give workshops that day. There are also certain times of year more focused on creating and others when I travel either for crafts fairs or to give porcelain painting seminars. Right now I have several ongoing projects: preparing for shows, a book project, course preparation, bursts of creativity according to the energy I have in the moment, etc ... I try to set goals for each day. Generally I go into my studio about 9:00 am and I work until 5:30 pm and sometimes at night.

What are your biggest challenges as an artist?

My biggest challenges as an artist are for me to publicize and disseminate my work in strategic locations worldwide. It's also a balance between the time spent on the creation and promotion, research, education etc ... The key is to appreciate the present and move forward with confidence and serenity. That is how I reach my dream :)

What is your greatest joy as an artist?

My greatest joy comes when I make all these little steps forward that show me that I’m going in the direction I want to go.

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Studio visit with porcelain painter Isabelle Lafargue