Paula West and Joe Cooper

Studio #15

Paula West Pottery
Ceramics
paulawestpottery.com

Joe Cooper Design
Sculpture, Painting, Mixed Media
joecooperdesign.com

160 MacGinitie Rd

Paula West - I work in porcelain clay to create handmade vessels that merge function, craft and art. Thrown on the potters wheel, sometimes altered, or slab built, I am inspired to create useful objects for daily living and special gatherings, their beauty revealed through use. My current work explores soda firing, an interactive process of spraying a soda ash solution into the kiln at 2300 degrees to glaze the pots. This creates unpredictable, dynamic surfaces, a collaboration between kiln, flame, atmosphere and maker.

Joe Cooper - Intuition and contemplation form the basis for my practice. Though my work often seems quite simple in appearance, the goal is to invite contemplation, and to engage the viewer in a deeper conversation with the essence of each piece.

My work is about trust and play. I have worked to train my eye and my hands for almost forty years as a carpenter and cabinetmaker. My artwork is an extension of this long engagement with the refinement of my craft. I try to maintain a sense of play throughout the process, often working on multiple pieces simultaneously. My pieces become fully resolved when I can let go of expectations, fully trust my instincts and act on clear impulse.

Guest Artists

Return to STUDIOS