Silicon Valley Open Studios

About Celma Kirkwood

My work in ceramics - Celma Kirkwood

I developed my signature style – complex, organic forms in harmony with vivid surface decoration – during my first career in Brazil as an architect and architecture professor. Now a full time artist, my work in clay is based on the search of the endless possibilities clay has to offer. Each hand built piece is unique, and both shape and surface decoration happen through a process that involves less planning than feeling with my hands the possibilities in the clay, as the piece evolves.

Painting is an essential part of my work and I use ceramic shapes as a blank canvas in which I can explore my love for drawing and colors. After the first firing, I let the shape and even the imperfections, the marks I made in the piece with my hands, inspire my choice of theme and composition, the use of line, and color. Sometimes multiple firings are necessary to obtain the desired final result. All my drawing and brushwork is done spontaneously, directly over the green ware or the bisque fired piece. I use food safe glazes, but I recommend hand washing to preserve the integrity of materials.