juditavill's Profile

Bio

Originally a fashion designer, I am up to my wazoo in clay these days. I enjoy throwing, altering, carving, glazing and firing my sculptural, functional art. I live with my husband and 2 boys in New Jersey (the garden state...hee hee ) driving them crazy and being driven crazy... and loving every minute of it...

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Statement of Artistic Philosophy

I began experimenting with clay while trying to find my voice as an artist beyond my work in fashion and print design. I approached ceramics by staying within the confines of the functional vessel as it forced me to face design challenges regarding use as well as beauty. In this way, the creative process was similar to that which I experienced as a fashion designer.

Depending upon the size of the piece, the process of centering and forming the clay can be a very physically demanding experience. Throwing on the wheel allows a creation of a custom “blank” with the right sense of volume and form. My process has evolved by ripping the edge, twisting, cutting, turning, and shifting of the walls. Pushing the clay’s elasticity, carving and texturing is a more recent development.

My work is definitely process oriented. I do not spend a lot of time sketching on paper. A lot of my “sketching” occurs while working with the clay on the wheel or during the alteration process. I have conceptual ideas of where I want to see the work go. However, success depends upon how the clay reacts. Issues of drying, cracking, breaking, and glazing remain moving targets that I continue to deal with. Experimentation is crucial to the evolution of my work. Most recently, I am experimenting further with sculptural wall pieces and sculpture in general.

I make my own glazes using available recipes and experimenting with ingredients to develop my own glaze variations that will compliment and meld with my forms. On a rare occasion, I use a commercial glaze. Various glaze applications are used alone or in tandem allowing for experimentation by layering colors and thicknesses.

My hope is that the piece has a positive influence on the collector. Whether it brings some sort of joy to the collector simply by its presence or by causing one to see form and color a little differently that day, this completes the creative process for me.

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Background/Education

Judi Tavill was born in Baltimore , Maryland in 1968.
Judi received her B.F.A. from the Washington University School of Art (in St. Louis, Missouri) in 1990.
Formerly a fashion and textile print designer(Head Designer of “Lilly Pulitzer” was the last label worked for), ceramic art is Judi’s passion. Her work is mainly wheel-thrown, altered and hand built ceramic vessels . The work emphasizes sculptural form and movement while remaining within the confines of functional ceramics. Judi has attended workshops led by Kristen Keiffer, Nick Joerling, Julia Galloway, Randy Brodnax, Don Ellis, Malcolm Davis, Steven Hill, Lynn Smizer-Bowers, Jeff Oestreich, Steve Jaskowak, Mel Jacobsen and Peter Callas.

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Most Recent Exhibitions and Collections

Two of Judi's teapots were recently selected for an exhibition of teapots at Baltimore Clayworks.
She has exhibited in invitational and juried exhibitions and shows including Baltimore Clayworks, The Steamboat Springs Arts Council, The Peter's Valley Craft Fair, The Laurel Tracey Gallery in Red Bank, the CBA Art Show and The Monmouth Festival of the Arts as well as several charitable events. Judi’s work can be found in many private collections. In addition to the Etsy shop , her most current work is displayed and sold via updates to her internet website: www.jtceramics.com. and her blog : www.juditavill.blogspot.com.

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Special Technical Information

The clay used is mid-range Stoneware and Porcelain.
The work is usually wheel-thrown or hand built and altered.
After the clay is thrown, it is carved into, shifted, stretched and reconnected at various stages of drying.
Bisque firing is cone 04.
The glazes are made by the artist with the occasional use of a commercial glaze.
Most glazing is applied through the use of a spray gun and compressor in addition to dipping, pouring and painting.
The work is glaze fired to cone 6.
***All functional pieces are lead free and food-safe!****
The functional pieces are dishwasher safe as long as good judgment is used.

Hand wash all wood accessories.

Female, Born on August 6

Favorite Materials

clay