The Exotic Teapot

Using soft slabs of clay, imported Indian wood cuts and textured objects found in everyday homes, Elaine Pinkernell creates one of a kind functional teapots, mugs and vases.  She compares her process to that of quilting.  First she selects a coloured slab just as one would a fabric.  Then she creates impressions with stamping as a quilter would with stitching.  Next she assembles each slab into one form, such as the shape of a teapot; similar to assembling all decorative fabric pieces into one quilt.  Pinkernell’s last process is to glaze the teapot with a tint which will best reveal the textured slab form then fire at high temperatures, enabling her wares to withstand dishwasher use.