T Pots Pottery. A Truckee Staple.

Posted on May 29, 2008
Filed Under North Shore Art Scene |

Her art has such personality.

Bold and beautiful. Lively. Animated.

At the same time, it has function and purpose.

T Pots Pottery by Teresa Wik

Teresa creates all of her lead-free glazes, and produces many fascinating and unpredictable colors and textures. Kind of like our own unique personalities. Her current work is inspired by the natural rhythms and beauty of her surroundings in Truckee.

In her own words:

I like to think that my pottery and art pieces “shout out in a whisper”. Each unique piece is designed to be bold and beautiful and to grab the viewer’s eye with playful alterations which create personality and animation. At the same time, the practical side of each piece is evident in the architecture and is meant to be used or displayed on a daily basis.

My clay playing days began in high school and continued through college. My first potter’s wheel was purchased in 1983. After a twelve year hiatus, I pulled out my wheel again in 1995 and began creating pieces for my friends and family.

In 2001, I began throwing seriously, bought my first electric kiln and started my business. The name “T Pots Pottery” is a play on words. My nickname “T” was coined in the early 1990’s when I was a full time firefighter/paramedic.

After completing a semester long glaze chemistry class, I began testing different chemical combinations to create just the colors and effects I want in glaze. I create and mix all of my own lead-free glazes. Variegated glazes are my favorite; I like the unpredictable results, one without uniformity in color or texture. My complete line of functional ware is oven proof, may be used in the dishwasher and microwave and is food safe.

My current works are branching out with the use of slabs, rolled out of clay. In these, motion is created with the use of wavy edges, spraying glaze and textures mimicked from nature. The Sierra Nevada mountains, where I live and play, have a great influence on my work. My wall hangings emphasize the colors and views of the world as I see it from my new studio.

I presently work as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department. When I am not in my studio or at the hospital, I can be found on the tennis courts, hiking with my dogs or gardening.