NICOLLE LaMERE

"I’ve always mixed my own clay bodies so that I can customized the behaviors and final appearance of the ceramic.  At this moment I am using a cone 10 porcelain casting slip and a cone 6 terracotta."

Primary forming method?

"I primarily work with personally designed molds and slip dipped burnable materials such as paper or tumbleweed."

Primary firing temperature?

"My ideal is cone 10 reduction however, I am now firing to cone 05 oxidation."

Favorite surface treatment?

"

My sculptural works are untreated, unglazed and unadulterated clay body color and texture.  On the flip side my slipcast tableware utilizes various image transfer techniques and come in a wide spectrum of color.  Techniques range from handmade stencils, newsprint transfers, augmented photo lithography and water etching."

How/Where do you market your artwork?

"At this time in my career I’m trying to focus on creating the artwork I want to make rather than thinking about what ought to sell or finding the market for a particular artwork.  I do have a mostly neglected etsy page (StudioLaMere)."

"I sell my artwork by word of mouth or commission."

"My favorite past-times are reading books and losing myself in forests and prairies. Two of the most influential books which have inspired my creative process are Hermann Hess’s “Siddhartha” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Sirens of Titan.” Just like the lessons of working with clay, there is always an expectation held within the maker and their desired outcome, at the same time the clay has its own workability and readiness. Clay encourages me to remain present in the moment and understand what is true and what is wishful thinking."

"At this time I would consider myself to be an emerging artist.  Towards the end of my BFA in ceramics and a secondary in printmaking I completed two National Undergraduate Research Grants and in 2011 my work was included in the NCECA National Student Juried Show.  As a young person I was worried whether or not I would be able to find a place in the artistic community but these particular accomplishments gave me the confidence to stick with it.  The time between undergrad and gradschool I would spend my summers at Arrowmont and Penland as a work study student and later as a studio assistant learning as much as I could from the various experts in a variety of mediums.  While in gradschool at Texas Tech University I continued my research with the assistance of the NCECA Graduate Student Fellowship.  After graduating in 2017 I spent two months camping on a traveling artist residency.  It is was my deliberate decision to stay active within the artistic community to the greatest extent possible which sustained my ability to continue in the arts.  I now live in Katy, and teach studio art classes in handbuilding, moldmaking, and various sculpturally based courses at Art League Houston.  What is important to note is that sometimes our resolve to keep going wavers.  It’s only those who keep going, who keep trying despite setbacks who will see the results of their efforts…eventually."

"I have published the findings of my previous technical ceramics research as well as teaching K-12, undergraduate, and adult continued learning courses.  I’m excited to say that I will be teaching a workshop in June for ClayHouston members pertaining to surface development and image transfer on clay.  I’d love for people to come visit Box13 ArtSpace and learn some new techniques!"

What’s the best advice you’ve been given by a fellow maker, mentor, or teacher?

“All art is, is the ability to solve problems by coming up with creative solutions. If you can fully understand the problem, you will find the most appropriate solution.”