About Cindy

The Pottery and Me

Cindy Gibson Ceramic Artist

My ceramic practice is primarily concerned with creating a seamless melding of design and function.

The pottery starts with a lump of porcelain clay that will be rolled, pinched, extruded or thrown on the wheel, my favourite forming method.  I love to decorate and do so at every stage of the making process by etching, carving, stamping, slip trailing or painting freehand.  Often all on one piece.

I do not use commercial molds or image-transfers (decals). I do use commercial underglazes for some techniques, but I usually prefer to use custom, coloured slips and glazes developed in studio.  The ware is fired twice in electric kilns.  First for bisque, and then a cone 10 (1280 degrees Celsius) glaze firing. Occasionally a third firing may be used depending on the desired effect.

My Fine Arts (honours) degree is from the University of Manitoba.  After 10 years of studio practice in Canada I had a wonderful but very different experience working in a production pottery in Germany where I learned the practical efficiency of traditional methods.   Art and tradition combined to inform my aesthetic which further developed during 5 years in my solo studio in the south of England.

I make a wide variety of items in my practice.  My high-fired porcelain summer work is designed to bring a little bling to your garden: garden globes, art for birds, fences, patios and flowerbeds. Although lovely enough to be enjoyed inside, these pieces are made to live out of doors! I make functional pieces for the home too.  Mugs and birds, bowls and fish. And teapots of course.  So many ideas and not enough time; choices abound!

I currently live in the beautiful garden city of Victoria, BC, Canada