Laura Williams
(they/she) is a UK born, US based ceramic artist whose practice explores material, narrative, human touch, colour and play. Laura studied ceramics at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and has worked as a ceramics artist and educator for the last decade teaching and making in art centers across the country. Laura Lives in a travel trailer with her husband and two cats, they are currently moving from state to state making and teaching in community art studios along the way.
I am interested in handmade objects, the idea of an object being formed by hand; slowly and intentionally brings me solace in the age of rapidly developing technology.
When working in clay I aim to create bright and playful wares that are a conversation between the clay body, color, and form. I’m interested in touch as mark making, the way clay records our every choice. throw lines, finger prints, brush strokes are all elements of each ware. I layer terra sigillata, underglaze, underglaze pencils, and glaze to build varied, illustrative surfaces inspired by deconstructed contemporary cartoons.
I make comics I love the simplicity of cartoons and using images to tell stories, my illustrations respond to my life. I draw what i experience. I enjoy the freedom that cartooning philosophy brings to my practice. the sentiment of simplifying images to convey an idea has revolutionized my making.
I love turning stories into objects that can be used and loved. drawings often end up being turned into stickers, on pots, or made into bite sized sculptures. I love that my work us used and I appreciate that my neighbors own and collect my art.
In my classes I aim to create a relaxing environment to experiment and explore. We make together, complete exercises, demonstrate building techniques and discuss the science behind our material.The majority of my career has been spent making and teaching in community art centers. I love making alongside those who take my classes. I taught ceramics for ten years at several art centers in chicago. Recently we moved into travel trailer in order to teach visiting artist workshops and exhbit in fairs around the country. I’m super grateful to each of the studios that has housed us over the last ten years and the people who have taken my classes. Teaching fills my cup.
