DONNA KING, potter

PUZZLE CREEK POTTERY

I began my interest in the arts as a fledgling oil & watercolor student. One of my favorite artist was Sally Middleton. I was fascinated with the way she captured her subjects surrounded by the intricate world of nature. Fifteen years ago when my husband John began as an instructor in pottery at Isothermal Community College, I felt drawn to clay. Under the name Puzzle Creek Pottery, our studio & gallery are located in Bostic, in Washburn community. John & I travel to particiapte in several shows each year. I continue today, handsculpting mostly mammals & birds.

I try to capture them portraying everything in their enviroment. The lichen growing on the tree next to the raccoon,or the shelf mushroom the flying squirrel is perched upon. Ferns,acorns and occasionally a insect is depicted. Handshaping clay into different assorted size shapes, must be dried very slowly to avoid fractures. Carving detail can take six or more hours. Then each area is painted or stained, before the final firing.