Mugshot Monday with Victoria Christens

This loosely marked and decorated wheel thrown mug by Portland, Or artist Victoria Christens ushers us into the last day of June.  The dark earthenware clay really pops against the bright and fluid colors and patterns of the applied underglazes and slips. When her work is leather hard she applies a thin layer of slip to create contrast with the clay-body its self. Waiting to add detail until the piece is bone dry, she adds layers of color with various underglazes and lastly carves and scratches through the slip and underglaze to add elements of line and pattern to the surface.  Many of Victoria Christens' beautiful pieces are finished with thin lines of black underglaze to create movement and capture the eye.   Much like her pieces, Ms. Christens' description of her work is simple and layered; "I put various components together loosely to make my pieces appear spontaneous and effortless, yet controlled."