© Mindy Sick
Growing up in rural Montana, I was drawn to the beauty of nature from a young age. For much of my life, I endeavored to capture nature’s beauty in pencil and paint.When I discovered ceramics after moving to Minnesota, I realized I had found the perfect canvas for my nature-inspired designs. After years of training as a student of ceramics at community art centers, I began sharing my work at local art fairs. I am now instructing a ceramics class at Ceramic Sow, a vibrant pottery studio in Hopkins.
I carve the natural life around me into my wheel-thrown orhand-built pots when they are leather hard, a technique called sgraffito. Some of my sgraffito work involves a process I call slip-carving, where I cover a piece entirely in black slip before carving out my designs. The result resembles a block print, which emphasizes the small details that give my birds and foxes personality and my sunflowers movement. I also use “reverse sgraffito” where I carve a slab that is fired to make a stamp. Iimprint fresh clay with my carved patterns to create unique textures and add dimension. I use all of these techniques and more to express my love of nature and design and give my pieces personality and heart.
I make both functional and decorative ceramic pieces that are handcrafted with much decorative detail. I throw many of my pieces on a potter's wheel, but I also enjoy hand-building, so I have a variety of wares. I also include some sculpted elements such as bird knobs or sculpted animals as totem pieces. I enjoy using many different decorating techniques in the pursuit of my artistic vision, which allows me to appeal to different buyers. However, almost all of my pots are hand-etched or carved, or incorporate hand-carved stamps which makes my work both cohesive and unique. I also have a wide range of prices so that anyone who enjoys my work can find something to buy and enjoy.