Visiting artist: Martha Grover

One of the perks of being back in an academic setting is visiting artists. UMass Dartmouth had the pleasure of welcoming back alumni Martha Grover, who is currently a working artist. She works in porcelain fired to cone 10 - 11, altering thrown forms to capture the elegance of flowers and dance. 
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It was such a treat to absorb her tips and tricks as well as any advice she had to share about the potter's life. If she is ever doing a workshop in your area I highly recommend it. We talked about what it's like to establish yourself, balancing personal and business life, and got into the nitty gritty of technique (among many, many other topics).  Here are a few of my take aways:

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• Paper clay slip - I kid you not, the slip she used had a bond so strong that after attaching the handle, still pre-leather hard stage, she was able to hold the mug by the handle. MIND. BLOWN. She passed it around and we all tried it. Clay is magic. To make this slip yourself, mix in some vinegar and bits of toilet paper that has been saturated (into a pulp) into your clay slip. Once I get the specifics I will be sure to share. I've known the perks of vinegar and paper clay, but I did not know it was this good.
• Porcelain is thixotropic, which basically means it can regain plasticity through agitation. It's kinda like waking it up with a few slaps instead of a splash of water.
• Frugal habits can lead to a full life. Martha and her husband lived frugally out of necessity while attending school and kept those habits after it wasn't necessary. This allows them to have a savings account and travel around the world. 
• All porcelain is not created equal. I wish I was able to take a clay formulation/glaze calc class so I can understand the why, but there are so many differences within a clay body category beyond porcelain vs stoneware vs earthenware.

It's refreshing and inspiring to see an artist making a living with their art. I spent the whole day oogling and absorbing as much as I could. Martha Grover was very kind and very open with us about her process and her story. Definitely worth it.