Cathi Jefferson - Biography

I have always known that I was meant to work with clay. I started to pursue my dream to be a studio potter in 1974 taking clay courses with Herman Venema. Under his guidance and support I continued to work in his studio for 16 years. During that time I took fine arts courses at local colleges. Practical workshops with potters whose work I admire have always been an integral part of furthering my education and growth with clay. Trying to retain that initial thrown freshness and interacting with the kiln during the firing process has always drawn me to salt and wood-firing, It never ceases to amaze me how each fired piece is directly affected by its location in the kiln, producing unique variations with rich colour tones and textural surfaces.

In 1990 I moved to Deep Cove, North Vancouver, and began to build my own studio the following year. There are 40 stairs leading up to my studio after a steep driveway, adding a challenge when carrying heavy loads. However, once in my studio, the granite rock protruding through a wall and lots of windows in a natural west coast setting provide a wonderful tranquil working space. The natural environment contains endless inspiration in my life and work. I aspire to capture the sun reflecting through a rain drop on a leaf, the rich red tones and texture of rock cliffs in the American Southwest, the serenity of an old growth forest, or the impact of a standing stone in my work. I feel a deep connection to the fathomless energy and beauty in nature and attempt to maintain this sense with clay.

My overwhelming desire to make functional dishes is grounded in the belief that its important to have handmade items in our lives to help us remain connected to the natural world and to each other. Most of my work is wheel-thrown and altered into square or triangular shapes. Pieces are decorated with impressions from nature or geometric shapes that attempt to enhance the form. My hope is that the design depicts where I am from and engages you to look around the piece through each framed window, noticing the different rich earthy tones and varying textures. I strive to make the form of each piece interesting and strong, capable of functioning so well that it will be enjoyed and used often because it elevates the ordinary into something special.

I feel truly blessed to have come to a place where I have my own studio, salt kiln, and to be a part of the clay community. I'm excited about the direction of my work with wood and salt-firing and look forward with anticipation to the many possibilities of tomorrow. I am where I want to be.