My Room.

Orange stripe, blue stripe, and a white stripe with blue and orange polka dots. These are the colours of my childhood bedroom. At the end of the day, I’d sit down on my bed and count the polka dots on my wall. I think I still find comfort in these colours, along with the toys and stuffed animals I grew up with. When I set out designing my mugs, blues and oranges were all I could see myself using, and it took me a while to realize why.

I remember sitting on the portable steps outside of my elementary school, overlooking all the other kids playing at recess. I would sit and stare at the mountains and enjoy the time I had, without having to be “on” for the people around me. These moments never left as I grew up. I still need to find little moments where I get to turn off and connect with the world again. Listening to the leaves rustle in the wind, or watching a little ant walk on the pavement.

Within this collection, I aimed to capture these moments of tranquillity while incorporating the colours of my childhood room. I didn’t want to create designs that were too busy and demanded too much of the user. It’s important to me to have imagery in my work that reflects the natural beauty of nature while retaining a sense of quiet connection and peace.

I work hard to ensure that the shapes I throw fit nicely in the hand in multiple ways, and I aim for the handles I pull to be as comfortable as possible. I make sure my pieces are a reasonable weight, and after firing I sand down the bottoms so they’re smooth to the touch. When it comes to surface decoration, I prefer something that expresses movement and life, without being overwhelmingly loud or busy.

My mentality and how I approach my work are inspired by Dawn Candy, a local Red Deer potter. I appreciate her way of tying emotion and nature into her work while keeping her designs light and serene. Her pieces contain such life and character.

I envision my mugs on the kitchen counter by the coffee maker during family Christmas. Everyone will grab one eventually and carry it around with them drinking their coffee or tea, while family chats and laughter and stories are shared in the warm glow of the Christmas tree. Or sitting alone on the couch in the evening light of summer, with the TV off and the window letting a breeze into the house, waving the curtains slightly, while the birds chirp in the trees outside.

Madde Sullivan