Ceramics

As a child, I lived in the California redwood forest, where I spent many solitary hours playing on the soft forest floor beneath those magnificent giants. I took delight in the textures of redwood bark, the unfurling fern fronds, the cool dampness of moss, and the quiet companionship of jays and banana slugs. La Honda Creek flowed past our Sky Londa home, carrying with it an endless variety of shaped earth and weathered wood. These early forest impressions continue to deeply influence my tile design.

Later, I lived in San Francisco, where I fell in love with the architectural ceramic works that adorn many of the buildings that became my favorites. When I recognized nature’s influence in the design of these classic ceramic works, I knew I wanted to make tiles of my own.

I began studying the work of Ernest Batchelder, the early California tile innovators, and the designers at Malibu Pottery, CalArts, and Claycraft. I was also drawn to the philosophy of the English designer William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, whose values of beauty, integrity, and craftsmanship resonated deeply with me.

My journey in tile-making began in 1979 with a series of forest animal tiles. Today, my work remains a true labor of love and is entirely handmade. I begin each piece with an idea, carve the image, and meticulously craft each tile from start to finish. The process includes creating a plaster mold, pressing the highest quality clay, allowing the tile to dry naturally, then hand-trimming, glazing, and firing it at over 2200 degrees. This process ensures both beauty and durability, allowing the tiles to withstand even the harshest weather conditions.

Living in the Sierra Foothills, my work now includes both decorative tiles and custom architectural tile installations. I continue to draw inspiration from the ever-changing language of nature, as well as from the integrity, vision, and craftsmanship of the early twentieth-century pioneers of tile-making.

With appreciation,
Carol Crockett