Phyllis Anderson

Originally I was obsessed with 2D media – primarily pencil and charcoal drawings. I’ve also done graphic design professionally. But then I took a 30-year detour into Craft Land and the 3D environment: sewing, embroidery, quilting, knitting, bead weaving, costume design and construction, polymer clay, resin, tie dye, silk painting, even some woodworking. This led to a foray into metal-smithing, followed by my 2020 pandemic hobby of ceramics. Here, I’ve found the perfect synthesis of all my interests and talents, taking concepts and sketches and executing them in clay and jewelry, with a focus on beautiful items of everyday utility. My whimsical hand-built designs are rooted (pun intended) in nature, with flowers, vines, leaves, bugs and branches winding their way around bowls, mugs, plates, tea sets, earrings and necklaces. They connect our everyday, computer-infested, mass-manufactured lives with the grounding force of the natural world and remind us of the beauty around us. Each piece is unique – I never make the same one twice – so it is entirely personal. And my focus on functional items seeks to bring joy and inspiration into the everyday, hopefully inspiring a desire to keep life simple and value the precious small moments of each day.