Kathryn Rosebear

Kathryn Rosebear Pottery

If I had lived in a warmer climate, I might never have become a potter. My first artistic medium was soil, from which I coaxed gardens—broad swaths of color from perennials and foliage. In Minnesota, though, the gardening season shuts down for half a year. During one of those long winters, I took up pottery. Now when I leave my garden, I go to my studio in the Northern Clay Center, where I share camaraderie with other artists and the warmth from the kilns.

My work is influenced by my interest in gardening and the natural world. I work in porcelain, which offers a strong white palette on which I paint floral and animal motifs. I often sketch in my garden, creating motifs based on the plants and insects I love. Those animals which make appearances on my pots—foxes, rabbits, and a variety of birds—are often found near my home.

I want those who own my pots to use them. I fire to cone 10, or approximately 2300 degrees, so that pots are safe for household use and wear. I have experimented on glaze formulas and applications to ensure that the pots retain their bright colors. I hope that, as people use my pots, the colors and motifs remind them of the magic of summer and gardens throughout the year.