Handmade ceramic art for your home and office
"Art is the illusion of spontaneity"
-Japanese proverb
Sculptural
Functional
Wearable
My Medium
Biography
Artist Statement
Biography
Ceramic artist Sandy Ashbaugh has been working in clay for over 30 years. She uses a traditional hand building method of slab construction and sgraffito, yet achieves a modern aesthetic. Among her best known pieces are those from; her uniquely designed and handcrafted, sake set collection, as well as her lidded vessel series. The latter was published in Lark Craft’s “500 Raku”, juried into various shows and purchased by public and private institutions.
Sandy draws inspiration from architectural and interior design elements, like those from the Bauhaus movement, Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry. She obtained her BFA from Florida Atlantic University and has worked in clay ever since.
Residing in Arizona, she is passionate about art education and has been involved with local schools and communities, teaching art as well as coordinating art programs and shows since 2004.
Medium
Artist Statement
Biography
My first exposure to the visual arts was in college. I trained in a variety of mediums but was immediately drawn to clay, hand building with it for over 30 years.
For decades, I glazed my work in the Raku style by harnessing the power of gas fuel with fire and flames. This originally was a Japanese method of firing, which has been adapted to make ceramic pieces artistically pleasing but not food safe.
When I traded a busy community studio for the solitude of a private one, I also traded gas for electric power and reduction for oxidation. Light colored stoneware is still my clay of choice and continue to use intense colors and contrast.
I also embrace technology and am usually the one behind the camera.
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
My experience as a classically trained violinist resonates throughout my work. It imparts a lyrical quality that speaks of beauty and harmony with classical proportions.
My current series was born from my interest in Japanese sushi and sake. I am intrigued by the shapes and colors of the food and serving pieces, and felt compelled to design something different than the traditional wheel thrown sake set. Architectural and interior design elements, ranging from the Bauhaus movement to architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, often serve as inspiration for my work.
First I roll out the clay and cut out pieces from my pre-designed patterns. Then I wrap the pieces into delicate flasks (tokkuri) resembling a kimono, tapering them slightly towards the top. The cups (ochoko) are also wrapped but are smaller and perfectly sized for a serving of sake.
Dramatic underglazes contrast the light colored clay. I make deliberate marks using the sgraffito technique, to carve through the color, allowing the clay body to show through. Clear glaze is then applied and fired in an electric kiln, making them food safe. The set is served on a wooden pedestal which is cut, sanded and torched with flame, singeing the wood to bring out the grain. This traditional Japanese technique is called Shou Sugi Ban. I design these to be artistically pleasing as well as functional. Kanpai!
Events
11/14/2020
Queen Creek Olive Mill - Holiday Art & Gifts Market
10am
-
2pm
Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S. Meridian Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Event Details
11/14/2020
Queen Creek Olive Mill - Holiday Art & Gifts Market
I've been invited back to the San Tan Artists Guild show at the Queen Creek Olive Mill! This outdoor market will be set up in the front of ...
10am
-
2pm
Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S. Meridian Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Feb 22 & 23, 2020
ASU - 2020 Ceramic Tour
10am
-
5pm
3020 North Civic Center Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Event Details
Feb 22 & 23, 2020
ASU - 2020 Ceramic Tour
19th Annual self-guided weekend tour, sponsored by the Arizona State University Art Museum. It's FREE and includes 74 demonstrations by 35+ ...
10am
-
5pm
3020 North Civic Center Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Ongoing
Vision Gallery
10 East Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ 85225
Event Details
Ongoing
Vision Gallery
You can find my work at the upscale Vision Gallery in Downtown Chandler, Arizona. www.VisionGallery.org
10 East Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ 85225
Nov 21, 2019
16th Annual Ironwood Studio Ceramics Sale
9am
-
6pm
Estuary Park
Event Details
Nov 21, 2019
16th Annual Ironwood Studio Ceramics Sale
Ceramics sale hosted by the Chandler-Gilbert Community college ceramics students.
9am
-
6pm
Estuary Park
Nov 3, 2019
Schemer Arts Center
10am
-
12pm
Shemer Art Center, 5005 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Event Details
Nov 3, 2019
Schemer Arts Center
I will be doing a hand building demonstration for the Arizona Clay Association.
10am
-
12pm
Shemer Art Center, 5005 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
More Events
Subscribe
Sign up to hear from me about specials, sales, and events.