Artist Spotlight - Ellen Statz Raku Artist in Campbell River
"Statz became particularly passionate about a ceramic style called Raku. Exciting and unpredictable, in a nutshell, Raku involves removing glowing hot pots from the kiln, putting them into cans with paper, and getting a lid on quick (before you get a Raku haircut)."
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Some people count procrastination as a character flaw. Ellen Statz has procrastination to thank for her career in clay. The Campbell River potter enrolled in the art program at Malaspina College in 1983 with a belief that art centered on the two-dimensional — drawing, painting, print-making etc. Two-dimension was never Statz’s strong suit and she was a little uncomfortable about the whole endeavor of the conventional art world.
As fate would have it, there was an opening in the pottery class and without delay or thought she signed up. Statz had no inkling of the impact that spontaneous decision would have on her life. Once she experienced the joy of working with clay, she never looked back. “The three dimensional world felt so liberating — I was addicted.” Statz became particularly passionate about a ceramic style called Raku. Exciting and unpredictable, in a nutshell, Raku involves removing glowing hot pots from the kiln, putting them into cans with paper, and getting a lid on quick (before you get a Raku haircut). Over the years, Statz has managed some control over the process, but there are so many variables at work, you just never know what you’re going to get. Some days, she says, she’s on cloud nine, while other days are a bit grim. But the element of surprise keeps her on her toes — heading out to the kiln shed in the thrill of the next creative adventure. Early on in her career, a random remark sparked the creation of crocodiles and alligators. “Looking back, my first attempt at an alligator actually blew up when I tried to fire it, but I have since completed several more and they keep me company in the garden.” After Statz made her first large 7-foot beast, she was affectionately nicknamed “The Alligator Lady” by the Campbell River community, who soon began taking interest in her fascination with the creatures.
Statz’s most recent work focuses on botanical textures and elegant natural patterns. Written by Dee Statz |
“I really enjoy sharing my affection for pottery and knowledge I have earned through the years with others, and offering classes to the local community in my studio,” she says. Statz has garnered recognition for her work in several galleries Vancouver Island wide, from the Quails Nest Studio in Victoria, to The Old Schoolhouse in Qualicum Beach — and of course her fans in Campbell River.
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