VIVA’s Featured Member Artist for August is potter, Charna Schwartz
Meet the Artist
Charna Schwartz graduated form University of Colorado with a BFA in Art (1977) with a focus in clay. I continued to develop skills working as a seasonal production potter, taking classes with Don Reitz at University of Wisconsin, and became a member of the pottery co-operative in Madison.
In 1984. I moved to Southwest Michigan. My focus changed from clay to wholistic health. which included “Ann Wigmore’s” philosophy.
In 1988, I became a Massage Therapist. For 15 years pottery had fallen to the wayside, but my heart was yearning to get my hands back in clay. I began classes at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and my love for clay became unquestionable. I progressed and became a pottery teacher for 10 years. I taught different styles (majolica, raku, hand building, wheel throwing, sgraffito, using slips and encobes), which would be fired in gas, electric, and wood fired kilns). This gave me the opportunity to explore with my personal clay expressions.
What is influencing my work at the moment?
My current work is influenced by experimenting with a relaxed approach to clay. By choosing to alter rim design, it liberates my creative perceptions.
If I can have one work of art in my home from a museum or private collection, what would it be?
The one piece of art would be “Pillow Pitchers” by Betty Woodman. Her work exhibits skill with grace, freedom, and expression with an explosion of color.
Who has strongly influenced my work?
At the University of Colorado, my pottery teacher Tom Potter, made an impact on me from the beginning. I remember him saying the “cylinder” is the most important form to master since it is the foundation of most other forms.
For 1 full year I made mugs, 100’s and 1000’s of mugs. (Hence the nickname “Mug Momma” became my identity with fellow potters.) From the cylinder, I started to branch off and make vases, teapots, pitchers, plus abstract forms. To this day I remember my fellow students harassing and questioning whether I can make anything different than a 1-pound mug. My teacher would just sit back in his chair and smile, letting me know in his silence I was heading in the right direction. To this day, my favorite form to make is a mug. I focus on this 1-pound creation to be aesthetically pleasing, and striving to achieve comfort in your hand and smooth to your lips when drinking.