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Pamela Nowell

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Artist Statement

I am deeply inspired by the four elements—earth, water, air, and fire—and how they bring a sense of sacredness and beauty into our everyday lives. Through the medium of clay, I seek to honor these elements and create work that invites presence, connection, and quiet joy.

My ceramic work begins with both wheel throwing and hand-building techniques. I then alter the forms, often incorporating texture, to create pieces that feel alive and tactile. Recurring motifs such as spirals and braided patterns emerge naturally in my work, symbolizing movement, unity, and sacred geometry. These details reflect my desire to infuse everyday objects with deeper meaning.

I finish each piece using a range of glazes, slips, and firing techniques, allowing the alchemy of heat and material to give each form its own voice. I am endlessly drawn to the way glaze can move and settle, sometimes in unexpected ways—an echo of nature’s own wild elegance.

Over my 37 years as a working artist, I’ve been shaped by many experiences and inspired by generous mentors. Steven Hill’s sensuous forms and luscious matte glazes have deeply influenced me, as has Brother Thomas, whose deceptively simple shapes and luminous glazes speak to both discipline and devotion. I am also endlessly inspired by the natural world—its shifting colors, textures, and transformations are constant teachers. And in the end, it is the fire that brings everything together—revealing what was hidden, completing what was imagined.

I envision my work as part of someone’s daily life—quietly adding a sense of sacred beauty to the ordinary rhythms of living.

Would you like a shorter version as well—for your homepage or social media bio?

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