artist bio

"Follow Your Bliss"
I grew up in a large family outside of Boston, MA. From the time I was a child all manner of artistic expression fascinated me, and ”coloring outside the lines” was encouraged. 

I attended Alfred University, a premier ceramics school in New York state, where pottery quickly became my passion. After graduating I taught, sold my work and worked as a production potter for a time. In 1976 my photographer husband and I moved to southern California and had two wonderful daughters. I set clay aside for 25 years.

2001, time to get my hands dirty again! Pottery is like riding a bike - you never forget.

In 2007 I was juried into the prestigious Laguna Beach Festival of Arts, a “Top 10 Art Shows in the US,” held for two months every summer. My teapots gained recognition and several pieces are now housed in the permanent collection of the American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA), private collection of Sonny and Gloria Kamm, Saddleback College permanent collection, and the Kamm Foundation collection.

Fast forward to 2012. I retired from my “day job” in marketing and moved with my family to Northern Virginia, now able to pursue my passion full time. I just completed a four year residency at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA showing my work at the Scope Gallery in the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, and the Workhouse galleries. 

And now a new chapter... back to Massachusetts! We built my new studio overlooking beautiful Demond Pond in Rutland. I'm looking forward to now building a business here in central MA, near family and friends. Please call me at 949-573-3244 and come visit sometime.


artist statement

I went away to college (Alfred University) to study art in the ‘60s and fell in love with clay. During this period pottery was bound by tradition, defined by utilization. This aesthetic was being challenged at the time by Paul Soldner, a pioneer in the field. With his influence the basic approach to clay work expanded and ceramics started the journey from craft to fine art.

In 2001, after a 25 year break to raise my family I came back to ceramics. What Soldner started had taken hold and it was exciting to learn that now nearly anything goes. This opened a whole new world of opportunities for me.

Serendipity is the order of the day in my studio. I make pottery because its fun and all-encompassing, and I learn (and perhaps teach) something new every day. The greatest pleasure for me is the idea of sitting down with 50 pounds of clay, playing with form and discovering the variations and possibilities held within. 

The teapot form captured my imagination after a creative accident a while back, and I’ve taken this form in a myriad of directions since. I pile on little cups, cut the forms, crush them, add miniscule teapots, create funky lids, add feet, alter the shapes, and more... making them functional... or not. Folks smile and often laugh out loud when they see my work - it’s truly rewarding!

My multi-piece sculptural teapots have evolved to include bowls, platters, etc. Always with an eye to balance and the interplay of light and space, each piece becomes its own voice.

 

 

"Family" teapot sculpture, pictured above, is from my original family series, and is currently in the Kamm Foundation Permanent Collection

 

 


juried exhibitions

Misc. info here - and see resume...

Directors Collection 2015: Lorton, VA  Selected artists highlighted for year long recognition
Creative Crafts Council Exhibition 2015/2016: Biennial showcase; traveling to 4 VA & MD locations  Juror's Kiln Club award
Collectors Showcase 2013, 2014, 2015: Lorton, VA  Best of Show award 2015, 2nd Place 2016
Prison to Arts Center 2014: Lorton, VA - Workhouse Arts Center Vulcan Gallery entry
Lifetime of The Arts Center  2014: Cheltenham, PA
Scope Gallery at Torpedo Factory 2014: Alexandria, VA  Juror's Award
International Small Teapot Biennial 2006-2014: Pomona, CA  2nd place 2008
100 Under 200 2013: Lorton, VA - Workhouse Arts Center McGuire Woods Gallery
Wood Fire, Ceramic Residents Show 2013: Lorton, VA - Workhouse Arts Center Vulcan Gallery
Studio 4 Pride Show 2013: Alexandria, VA 
NVHG Art and Craft Annual Show  2013: Vienna, VA
Burke Centre Festival 2013: Burke, VA
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival 2013: Reston, VA - Annual juried exhibition of fine art
Laguna Beach Festival of Arts 2007-2011: Laguna Beach, CA - two month “outdoor museum"
Studio Arts Festival 2001-2011: Irvine, CA - Annual Irvine Fine Arts Center event
Let’s Table This 2011: Pomona, CA - Exhibit of tabletop vessels from AMOCA’s permanent collection
Affair of The Art 2010: Los Angeles, CA - By invitation, to benefit Ryman Arts
IFAC 30th anniversary show 2010: Irvine, CA - Exhibition of instructor’s work
All Media 2009, 2010: Southern CA - Regional juried exhibition
Ceramics 2008 2008: Irvine, CA - Presentation of work juried by Steve Davis
Diversity in Clay 2008: Pomona, CA - Juried by ACGA, exhibited at AMOCA
Art Circuit 2005: Irvine, CA - Fine Arts Center all staff exhibition (all media)
Winter Sawdust Festival 2004: Laguna Beach, CA
Clay in Action 2003: Irvine, CA - Resident artist show, curated by Susie Munger
   


 


teaching/ workshops

 

 

Throwing Off the Hump 2015: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
Teapot demo 2014: The Fine Arts Company, Hagerstown, MD
Ceramics instructor 2013-2016: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
Ceramics instructor 2013: Fairfax County RECenter, Springfield, VA
From Table to Teapots 2011: Cultural Arts Division, Torrance, CA - All day workshop 
Throwing demo 2008, 2011: Laguna Woods Art Association, Lake Forest, CA
Ceramics instructor 2005-2011: Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA
Art Forum teapot demo 2003, 2010: Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA
Throwing demo 2002-2006: Orange County Fair Fine Arts, Santa Ana, CA

 

Workshops/Demos
I love teaching workshops, and am happy to offer demos and/or workshops customized to your needs... 3 hour mini-demo, a 2-day hands-on workshop, or whatever works for your needs.  Costs are dependent on location, time and participants.
If you’re interested in a workshop hosted by Carol Tripp Martens, please contact her at carol@iokapottery.com or call 949-573-3244.

Teaching
I offer private and semi-private lessons in Rutland, MA. Contact me at carol@iokapottery.com or call 949-573-3244.
I am not currently teaching classes at the art center. Watch for updates. Thank you!