Ceramic Trays and Platters by Anita Lawrence

Anita Lawrence Biography My passion for pottery began in high school when I first touched clay. I decided to go to pursue this passion in post secondary through art school. Fast forward a few years and finding myself out of work and in a new city, I decided to join a public studio and got my hands muddy again. Working with clay meant countless hours of practice in the studio and eventually led me to teach others how to make pottery. Now, after almost 30 years of pottery making, I still find so much satisfaction in the rhythmic motion of clay on the potters wheel and the incredible capacity for what can be created from a solid block of clay material. I appreciate that pottery has been created for centuries from artisans all over the world and I feel privileged that I am a part of that. The historic nature of the material keeps me grounded in making pots that will last and be kept as a memento for a very long time. My pottery can be used daily as it is functional ware that is suitable for use in the oven, dishwasher and microwave. I like the idea that people can build on a set and that my work is in private collections all over the world. This collection that is available at Side Street Studio, is a simple yet timeless finish of deep blue with a white glaze overlap. This tricolour suits most decors from modern to antique, cottage charm to minimalist. In this collection I produce mugs, bowls, trays, small heart bowls, teapots, blates (perfect for buddha bowls), soap dishes and more. My own studio and Island Clayworks gallery is located in Gold River, on Vancouver Island. It’s a beautiful 4.5 hour drive from Victoria and is a wonderful place to visit or in our case, call home. I share my studio with my husband and pottery buddy Neil. People from all over the world visit our gallery and they are amazed at the nature surrounding them and how that is reflected in my other work. Local flora and fauna, nature, abstracted designs and motifs are a signature design element in the finishing on my pots. I work mainly in white stoneware, but I have recently added a terra sigillata spray finish to my pots that I carve into to achieve a brown that is multilayered and tonal. I also use a black slip that I carve through to reveal the white clay underneath. This process is called sgrafitto - It’s very much like drawing and when I work on those pots it’s very relaxing and I feel very blessed that I can do this work for a living. Thank you for supporting me in this endeavour, I truly hope my work adds a touch of happiness to your space, a favourite mug to your morning or a gift for someone special.