Collection: Functional Heirlooms

My pots are like me. A little of this and a little of that, not one or the other, but something all their own.

I come from a multicultural background. One side is Mexican, the other is Norwegian. In some ways this makes me an outsider, in other ways it is my superpower. This translates into my pots through quiet contradiction. My work constantly explores “this and that” within the comfort of functionality. The forms are simple, echoing Scandinavian practicality. The clay I use is always earthenware, a nod to the ollas and jarritos we had in the kitchen growing up. However, the surface is all my own. Layers on layers of texture and color, occasionally with a window into a hidden layer. Overall, a bit chaotic and imperfect, but quiet and approachable.

Another major inspiration are antiques. One thing I particularly enjoy about antiques is how they subtly record the past. Heirlooms are objects that are passed down and carry stories with every stain, scratch, chip, and imperfection. I hope that my story continues to be shared long after I’m gone in cupboards around the country. Each time you use one of my pieces and notice something new, that’s the story I leave behind.

Originally from Minnesota, Wendy first fell in love with pottery while attending Warren Wilson College in the mountains of North Carolina. Since then, her work has been exhibited nationally and she has been an active ceramic artist in a variety of studios around the country. Wendy’s pottery is primarily influenced by her love of antiques and the duality of her multi-cultural heritage. Tactility and functionality guide her practical, elegant aesthetic. Her pots are brushed with a terra sigillata finish on the exterior and seasoned with coconut oil. Over time they will acquire a patina and grow more beautiful, visually developing with use, as an heirloom might collect stories through generations.

Wendy has a studio at her home in Saint Paul, MN. When not making pottery she can most likely be found at a local brewery, or antique store.