La Mano Pottery

Richard Stauffacher, Posey Bacopoulos, Jessie Lazar and DV Hirsch

In the gallery February 28–March 29
Opening Reception: Friday, February 28th

We sat down with Jessie, Richard, DV, and Posey. Read below to find out more about each potter...

Oval Box with Gold Decal
by Posey Bacopoulosf

What is Majolica?

POSEY: Majolica is a glaze tradition that began in the Middle East in the 9th century with a tin-opacified glaze. The majolica glaze is very smooth and white, which makes a good surface for decorating. The various colors are applied usually with a brush to the glazed surface to create the lively decorative patterns. The pots are then fired to cone 04 in an electric kiln.

Why did you choose majolica?

I choose majolica because I love to decorate. And that is what I enjoy most about the process.

What is your favorite tool?

My favorite pottery tool is my dagger brush that I use to make all the thin black lines in my decorations

Dino Bird Daisy
by DV Hirsch

What do you hope to communicate with your art?

DV: I think that the only thing that I want to communicate and share with my work is a smile. That is their purpose. If someone looks at my creature and it tickles them, then I am thrilled and that is my biggest reward.

From a young child, I was taught and encouraged to work with my hands. I loved sewing, beading and clay and I was very lucky because my mom always made sure that if I had an interest in something then she would make sure that I had the supplies and books. Often, I would take a class to learn a new skill. Play dough was my earliest introduction to clay. Actually, I believe that my mom made a play dough like substance out of corn starch. I think that every child needs the active interest, encouragement and time from an adult to help them develop a passion for crafts because in this day and age it is just too easy for a child to zone on the computer or TV.

Ceramic Bottles
by Jessie Lazar

Tell us about the pictures on your pots:

JESSIE: My drawings are fun and playful. If people look at my pots and smile, I feel I have succeeded.

What is your favorite pottery tool?

My silicon rib. It does the most things. It can be strong and soft and allows me to smooth the clay in order to become the canvas for my drawings and geometric patterns.

Close-up of Narwal Box
by Richard Stauffacher

What other artists inspire you?

RICHARD: As far as hand building is concerned, I really love the work of Shary Boyle and Beth Cavener Stichner, but I draw inspiration from all mediums. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time looking at Max Ernst's collages, Walton Ford's wildlife watercolors, and Luigi Serafini's surreal Codex Seraphinianus, all of which have all crept into my own pieces.

What is your favorite pottery tool?

Rubber-tipped clay shapers . I have a bunch in different shapes and pliability...they're indispensable.