From Canvas to Clay: My Intro into Pottery as a 2D Artist
For most of my artistic life, I’ve been a 2D kind of woman, resin pours, gouache paintings, oils, mixed media textures. My work has always lived on walls, in frames, or on panels, commanding space with color and boldness.
But lately, something in me wanted to test my limits within my creativity. I wanted to make art you could hold, art that lived not only on your walls but also in your hands, your home, maybe even your morning coffee routine. That’s how I stumbled into pottery.
Clay: A Whole New World
Let me just say: clay is humbling. Paint waits for you, sits patiently until you decide where to put it. Clay? Clay has opinions. It slumps, collapses, dries too quickly, or cracks when you thought you were being gentle. The first time I sat at the wheel, I realized this is going to be a love affair with a steep learning curve.
But here’s the thing: I love it. The tactile nature of clay is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced as a painter. There’s something grounding about literally shaping your art with your hands, coaxing it into form.
Why Pottery Feels Right (Now)
As a painter, I’ve always been about texture, depth, and experimenting with materials. Pottery is just another layer of that curiosity, except now it’s three-dimensional. It’s functional art, too, which is wild to me. The idea that someone could sip coffee from a mug I made or place flowers in one of my vases? That feels intimate and special.
Blending 2D and 3D
Even though I’m new to ceramics, my 2D background shows up in how I approach each piece. I think in patterns, color palettes, and surface textures. I’m already dreaming about glazing techniques that echo the resin finishes I love, or hand-painting details with the same bold spirit I bring to gouache.
In other words, pottery doesn’t replace my painting, it expands it.
Why It Matters to My Collectors
For my collectors and art lovers, this step into pottery means even more ways to bring my work into your life. Maybe you’ve admired my resin or gouache paintings but weren’t ready for a big piece. Soon, you’ll be able to collect a mug, bowl, or vase that still carries that same eclectic, spirit-led energy.
It’s art you can live with, not just look at.
Final Thoughts
Starting pottery feels like stepping into a new chapter of my creative story. It’s messy, humbling, exciting, and endlessly inspiring, exactly what art should be.
So whether you know me for my resin paintings, gouache works, or commissions, keep an eye out for this next adventure. My studio is getting a little muddier, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Contact me at whitmercerart@gmail.com to inquire further.