Kat Wheeler Ceramics

I grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. In 2008, I received a BFA in ceramics from the Appalachian Center for Crafts at Tennessee Technology University. Shortly after graduation, I moved to St Ives to work in the production studio at The Leach Pottery in St. Ives. Ten tears later I left The Leach Pottery to focus full time on growing my own business at the Gaolyard Studies. I continue to work and live in St. Ives.

 

My work is shaped by my American background and my developmental years at The Leach Pottery. Other major influences include short periods of time studying in Australia and Japan.

 

The work I make is largely utilitarian and decorative. It is thrown on the wheel using a grogged terra cotta clay. Each piece is decorated with slips using a variety of techniques including hakeme and scrafitto, as well as slip trailing and layering thick slip create texture. The work is then glazed simply using ash glazes and fired to 1220 in an electric kiln.