Meet Amanda Wolf | Ceramic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Wolf and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, how do you think about risk?
When I was attending Indiana University of PA. My ceramics professor told us to take risks, that is risks in the art making process. I’ve always been compelled to try new techniques, firings and experiment in the process. Art has a way of creating a safe place for people to take risks.

In my business, I also take risks, it feels more calculated and not as much fun, but its needed to get out of your comfort zone, to grow and stretch yourself. Whether its applying to a new show in a city I’ve never been , or collaborting on a new project.

In both instances, in the art making or in business, you must weigh all the facts, hypothesis on the outcome and them just go for it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create functional ceramics. I have always been interested in creating objects I can actually use in my home. How cool is that to make something you can use. Along with making functional objects, I’ve always been obsessed with the surface. Not just creating forms but leaving a mark, a texture a pattern or a story on the surface of the clay.

People have been creating functional ceramics for thousands and thousands of years. They also left marks in the clay, patterns, and pictures on the pots that tell a story of the people and that time. I want to continue in that tradition. Creating pots for use, that tells a story too, what the pieces are used for and it tells what the people do with their time, how they eat, what they eat. People have plants in their homes and display flowers too. What they have in their homes and how they live. These pieces also they a narrative on the surface of this time. Certain birds, frogs, flowers and trees that represent Pennsylvania and this time we are living in.

Ceramics is full of challenges. There is a lot of failure. I’ve lost many pieces due to drying, cracking exploding, kiln loads ruined. Some lessons were harder then others and some took many times to learn. But its through this process, I’ve had to learn patience, and learn to work with the material and let it lead me. Its almost like a collaboration with the material. It has a voice and you need to learn hear it and to work with it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I was showing a friend around Pittsburgh, I would definitely show them the Duquesne Incline, the views of the city from Mt. Washington are amazing. TI would take them to Oakland to visit. he Carnegie Art Museum and Natural History Museum are another favorite and also Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. There are soooo many great restaurants its hard to choose, I’d probably take them to Lawrenceville to grab a margartia at La Cantina and see where the evening takes us.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family and my husband have really supported my dreams. From the time I was a child my parents appreciated all things hand made. They encouraged me to follow my passion in clay and major in art in college. My husband Mike has also encouraged and supported me to practice my craft, from building a wood kiln in our back yard , to most recently expanding my studio.

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Website: www.wolfsdenpottery.com

Instagram: @wolfsdenpottery

Facebook: Wolf’s Den Pottery

Image Credits
Photographer: Jonathan Ruggieri