One thing I love about living in Toronto is that I have a wonderful community of friends here who are like a surrogate family to me. At least twice a week I am at a friend's house for a meal, either cooking together or being spoiled as a guest, or doing the cooking for a friend who needs to get off her feet.
Not only do I love cooking, but I also enjoy the ritual of setting a nice table with flowers and candles, even if just for a simple lunch or tea. Part of that ritual includes eating on nice dishes, and when that tableware is handmade by an artisan it is a nice everyday way to enjoy art and it reminds me to be thankful for the food I have and the friends I have to share it with. Here are a few of my favourite ceramic artists:
Mary Anne Davis
I met Mary Anne earlier this summer at a conference about podcasting, video, etc... and she is full of energy and passion about art and sustainable living. She makes lovely tableware in a studio in upstate New York, and was the one who inspired me to create my gift registry for art, modeled after her ceramic gift registry. I especially love Mary Anne's polka dot collection and have a taupe and pink polka dot plate that matches my gallery bathroom decor, courtesy of Mary Anne.
Diana Fayt
I can't recall how I first came across Diana but it was somewhere online and once I got to her website, I was mesmerized. She uses illustrations on her ceramic pieces, some of which are so detailed, they could be displayed on your wall instead of used in the kitchen. I have some lovely cups and a plate of hers, that I use with gallery visitors who are stopping in for a cup of tea and nibbles.
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer is an Ontario ceramic artist whose star is rising, with lots of press attention in the last year. I first saw her work in the Ontario Craft Council shop two years ago, and have enjoyed window shopping on her website.
I wish you all many meals to share with lovely friends and beautiful ceramics. To my American readers, Happy Thanksgiving!
*Images all taken from the artists' websites.
(Update: I, like much of the world, am saddened and horrified at the events unfolding in Mumbai. Thankfully my relatives are not affected directly but I send my thoughts and prayers to everyone in the city)
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