Alanna Hughes β Clay
Aspects of Alanna's pottery are left unglazed leaving a window to view the natural clay body. Her work is modern with a twist into nature. By using bold and vibrant colors along with elegant shapes, her clay pieces are intriguing. Her pottery is food, oven, dishwasher safe and made to be used functionally.
When did you decide to become a ceramic artist?
I have always been drawn to dirt but touching fresh clay was the tipping point.
Were you cautioned or encouraged to do pottery as a means to make a living?
Encouraged. The biggest leap was when my sister lent me $1000 to purchase my potters wheel in 2000.
Is there a single purpose that keeps you focused?
I enjoy the expression and functionality of ceramics. While doing pottery I can't be tense. I have to breathe and relax in order to shape forms while on the wheel. Pottery is a meditative craft for those that are too energized and unfocused to actually meditate!
Hope everyone is having fun in the sun. We are working on more California Poppy Dishes and other botanicals. Some should be in the shop Monday! #californiapoppies #californialove #californiaceramics #botanicalart
We went to the river… the Truckee River… We played in the water and grabbed some different shaped rocks. Then used those rocks to mold some new dishes. A few are in the downtown shop @riversidestudios πͺ¨ What do you think? #abstractart #rockart #ceramicdish #inspiredbynature #takemetotheriver #touchgrass
We are offering a preorder for a limited batch of Hand Wrapped Mules Ear Mugs. Each mug will be hand built using Mules Ear leaves that are a native member of the Sunflower family that grow in the Sierras signifying that Summer is here. This mug holds about 16 oz and will be a limited run item. Preorder Link is in the bio or you can let me know here and I can get you on the list. #handbuiltceramics #botanicalart #sunflowerfamily #coffeelover #tealover #ceramicmug
I took in some new California Poppy dishes to the shop @riversidestudios today. I roll the flower into the clay for its impression and achieve the color with stains and underglaze. The dish is elevated with feet. #californiapoppies #botanicalart #botanicalillustration #bitanicalpottery #handbuiltceramics
Green Leaves in a dish that looks like a little bathtub. Now, you can’t actually take a bath in it but you could hold some rings, coins, keys, soap, salt or even serve an amuse bouche in it. Whatever you do in it I do believe you will feel classy doing so. These are at the shop in downtown Truckee @riversidestudios #botanicalart #blackclaypottery #ringdish
You ready for some blaster vibes? Me and my shop mates are setting up at @palisadestahoe this afternoon for the @madeintahoefestival and want to extend an invite to everyone. Come out for summers first big kick flip party. Come support the vibrant small businesses that hand craft from the Greater Tahoe Region. In and out of the Basin we range. #madeintahoe #madeintahoefestival #ceramiccoffeecup #womanownedbusiness
Wild Cherries Coffee House asked me to make some new coffee mugs and I just delivered them. I love how they look and I’m very appreciative of the continued support they show me with projects like this. Creating and shopping local. From one woman owned business to another, thank you Kristine! π #wheelthrownpottery #ceramiccoffeecup #ceramics
While most of my time is spent on the wheel, I love hand building the most. We’re working on these elevated trays this week. Black clay slab shaped on an oval hump mold with coil coins for feet. #handbuiltceramics #blackclaypottery #ceramiccoils