Ceramic Artists – Late Blooms

The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web. ~Pablo Picasso — The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web. ~Pablo Picasso

It’s almost thirty years since I’ve been living across the street from a talented and gifted artist who is not only a neighbor but a friend. Ingrid Whitaker’s paintings, pottery, ceramic sculptures, and mosaics, have been an inspiration to me. Many artists specialize in one medium but Ingrid is truly an all-rounder. The images in the above collage were taken at the Bloor West Village Art Tour at which Ingrid was an exhibitor.

Ingrid has taught Art and exhibited in both Canada and Europe. She and her husband lived three years in Switzerland recently and travelled extensively in Europe during that time. In the above collage, the two images on the right depict European scenes. Many of Ingrid’s paintings since living in Europe depict the architecture and street life she saw there.

A mosaic artist works to create art from small pieces of tile, glass, or stone. This sort of artist may create mosaics from original ideas or from a client’s specifications. Some mosaic artists might also work to preserve and restore ancient mosaic artwork found in ancient churches and other buildings. Before any tiles or chips can be laid, a mosaic artist must first get an idea of how he wants the finished piece to look. In order to do this, he will usually draw or sketch his design beforehand on a piece of paper. That design can then be drawn on the object that will be covered with tiles. If the object that is to be covered with tiles is flat, a mosaic artist will also usually lay the tiles on the surface to ensure that they fit properly and look right. When preparing the tiles, some may need to be cut or snipped. This is usually done to make smaller or specifically shaped pieces. Mosaic artists usually use special tools for this task, including glass cutters and tile nippers. (The Art Career Project) — A mosaic artist works to create art from small pieces of tile, glass, or stone. This sort of artist may create mosaics from original ideas or from a client’s specifications. Some mosaic artists might also work to preserve and restore ancient mosaic artwork found in ancient churches and other buildings. Before any tiles or chips can be laid, a mosaic artist must first get an idea of how he wants the finished piece to look. In order to do this, he will usually draw or sketch his design beforehand on a piece of paper. That design can then be drawn on the object that will be covered with tiles. If the object that is to be covered with tiles is flat, a mosaic artist will also usually lay the tiles on the surface to ensure that they fit properly and look right. When preparing the tiles, some may need to be cut or snipped. This is usually done to make smaller or specifically shaped pieces. Mosaic artists usually use special tools for this task, including glass cutters and tile nippers.
(The Art Career Project)

Aren’t the above mosaics beautiful? I took these images at the Bloor West Village Art Tour. Ingrid has been kind enough to lend me her tile nippers on occasion. Seeing her mosaics inspired me to try doing mosaics. Anything artistic that I have tried my hand at has come from knowing her and seeing her art work.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” (Michelangelo)

My pictures don’t do justice to these ceramic sculptures but, hopefully, they give you the idea of the size and artistry that’s involved here. “Sculptures are three-dimensional pieces of art that is finished on all sides because they are seen from all angles. This makes this art form different from paintings and other finished art products. Clay sculptures are made on a potter’s wheel and must be finished in an oven. The figure or form is hollowed out because a solid, thick piece of clay will not harden in the oven. Typically, clay is about one-half of an inch thick on all parts of the sculpture. This makes the item somewhat strong and durable.” (Ceramic Sculpture) These sculptures look very strong and durable but I wouldn’t want to knock them over. They are so beautiful!

I own the above pieces of Ingrid’s art work. The vase and milk jug are precious to me for personal reasons. When my father died in 2000, Ingrid made the lovely vase and brought it over a few days after the funeral which she attended. It is in memory of my father and she printed that on the bottom and put his name on there too. Whenever I put flowers in there, I remember my father and I remember her kindness and her thoughtfulness in making this loving gesture to me at this time of loss.

As for the milk jug, there is a story behind that too. In 1992, a few months after my mother died, there was a big show at a Gallery where some of Ingrid’s work was on display. This show took place inside and outside the Gallery space and displayed the work of many artists. Ingrid invited me to go along with her because she thought it would be nice for me to have an evening out. She told me it would be very pretty when it got dark and the garden was lit up – and it was. This was a wonderful display of care and kindness to me since I hadn’t been going many places since my Mum died.

There were many beautiful pieces of Ingrid’s work there and I was thrilled to see the work of the other artists as well. The milk jug was one of the smaller items on display that Ingrid made and I decided to buy it. I liked the fish on it. At home, we immediately started to put our bags of milk in there and threw out the plastic container we used previously. We have enjoyed using it since 1992. It’s nice to have fine things to use in one’s own home every day.

As for the bowl, this item was bought at last year’s Bloor West Village Art Tour. It is for my son and his wife but they are presently residing in England and haven’t been able to take it with them yet. They were here last Christmas and we used it as our salad bowl on Christmas day. Bowl isn’t printed on it. The color and the designs on it were what caught my eye.

Ingrid also had cards for her last show. The above two were my favorites. These cards are sitting on the ledge above the fireplace in my home. The one to the right with the wintry scene is of a painting she did last winter on a snowy day. She is looking across the street to the house she can see from her window and this is the view she has. My own house shows slightly to the right. The original painting was sold and Ingrid had to paint another one for the neighbors who wanted to buy it.

I’m very fortunate to have such a talented and gifted artist close to me who is a wonderful role model, neighbor, and friend. I think that Emile Zola’s quote sums up what I want to say in this post about Ingrid: “The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.”

Hope you enjoyed this post and the collages! I was snooping around today in Ingrid’s garden and on her porch and took the images in the collage below. From my front window, I can see some of the pottery that she has out and it’s easy to tell that this home belongs to an artist. Looking forward to all Ingrid’s future shows, tours, and exhibitions.

Tag: Ceramic Artists

An Artist Friend and Neighbor