PILAR Patterson is a Clarence Town artist whose skill in making and decorating ceramic works is deservedly gaining attention.
Recently, at the Dungog Arts Society “Faces and Places” exhibition, her work “the Brig O’Johnston Bridge” won first prize in Ceramics.
It is a wheel-thrown platter, with a softly-coloured and thoughtfully-observed view of the bridge and Williams River.
Her ceramic work integrates her personal journey from Spain, to settle and further explore her creativity at Clarence Town.
Pilar trained in Fine Arts at the Complutense University of Madrid before moving to Australia in 1989.
Since 2013, Pilar and her husband have lived in the Hunter.
Her studies in an Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts have since brought her back to Ceramics, achieving a further Diploma of Ceramics.
Pilar explained that her work is inspired by traditional Spanish pottery, the natural environment and her spiritual journey.
The Brig O’Johnston platter was made then fired in her kiln at home, which is powered sustainably by solar panels.
The platter was painted with an image of the bridge, using “slip”, which she described as a combination of clay, water and “stains”.
This is quite a challenging process, because the colours can change completely during firing.
Test firing slip colours to establish their end results had to be done.
Pilar has also been teaching ceramics locally since 2023.
These workshops have proven popular, with six-week courses now being planned.
Understanding that most people’s lives are quite busy, Pilar will be offering workshops in two different time slots.
One in the evening, to suit people who have work commitments during the day, and the other earlier, for people who prefer daytime classes.
Some of the things which she plans to teach workshop participants how to make using hand building techniques are cups, animal sculptures and bells.
The courses will be held at the Clarence Town Senior Citizens venue, with a maximum of 6-7 participants.
For more information about upcoming workshops, please phone Pilar on 0405 626 905.
By Lisa WISEMAN
