Visions in Clay 2025

Karen Sanford
Website - https://www.makingstuffceramics.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karensanford227/
I was born in Berkeley, California in April of 1954 and currently work out of my home studio in Orinda, California. I received a BA in Studio Art from California State University, Hayward and a Teaching Credential in Art from St. Mary’s College. I was a plumber for 15 years and an art teacher for 20. Since my retirement from teaching, I spend a great deal of time in my studio with my favorite medium, clay. My most recent artistic accomplishment was an Honorable Mention in a show called Off Center at the Blue Line Gallery in Roseville, California, in April of this year.
My work as a ceramic artist is notable for its crisp clean forms that juxtapose organic shapes with hard edges. I work in a realm where the line between function and sculpture are blurred, creating beautiful servings sets and dishes that could present your food magnificently or could be seen as decorative art or sculpture.
I am interested in exploring myself, spiritually and creatively through my slab-built clay forms. I am interested in the contrasts in life; soft vs. hard, textured vs. smooth, organic vs. geometric, light vs. dark, love vs. fear. I see my work as a reflection of my self-exploration.
I work with thin slabs of clay, hand building the forms and glazing and firing, predominantly at the mid-range in an electric kiln. I am inspired by nature and architecture; thus, my work may have an architectural feel to it and the colors may reflect my contact with nature.

Tea for Two
Extruded and hand-built, Cone 10 Bmix/wgrog clay, fired with Cone 10 Black and Oribe glazes to Cone 10 in oxidation
7” x 17” x 8”
2025
$750






