by Bella Erakoo
Veronica Sandercock, Clay Artist
For guest artist Veronica (Vicki) Sandercock, it begins with mud—or in its more refined state—rich red or brown clay, white porcelain clay, or paper clay. “I just LOVE CLAY,” tracing this passion to the Quincy banks of the Mississippi. “I played in mud all the time, even when I was three years old. I made mud pies. I’m a nature girl.”
Today that translates into exploring combinations of clay, pigment, imprints, and various firing techniques. It all begins with clay. There’s the robust pottery clay most of us have played with as children. Then there’s the fine white porcelain clay with quirky characteristics that challenges the entire process. Lastly, Vicki uses paper clay containing 25% paper pulp. “You think it’d be more fragile, but the paper makes it much stronger. I push the slab as thin as I can.”
Once she has the basic structure in place whether classical bowl or vase or rolled-out slab, she uncorks her creative impulses. Imprinted leaves burned during the firing enriched by pigment, lacy patterns texturing an organically formed slab, formal almost Oriental designs pigmented into deep richness let Vicki explore any avenue of creativity that emerges. Like all artists during the corona virus, her teaching at the Quincy Arts Center came to an abrupt halt during the shelter-in-place months. Bereft of kiln and studio space, with upcoming shows, Vicki and the Center sought a viable solution. Nightime. Thus began her moonlit trek to the Center. Because clay goes through set stages, on occasion Vicki closed the door at 3:00 AM. With a little sleep and a lot of coffee, she stepped into her daytime teaching role. With children now grown and nearing retirement, Vicki admits, “I am longing to get into it full time. Mud, that is.
An Open House will be held on Saturday, December 12 from 11 to 4:30.
