Barbara Donovan
Barbara Donovan's playful and colorful aesthetic belies a strong storytelling talent. Although her zombie teddy bears aren't likely to outright kill, they might just nibble you to death
Available Pieces
No Longer Available
Barbaba Donovan at MudFire
Gallery group show Fur and Feathers, April 2013
Gallery group show Pirates vs. Zombies, April 2012
Barbaba Donovan Artist Bio
I am a potter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I make colorful functional porcelain pottery inspired by wild things and quirky pets. Originally from northeast Ohio, I live here in the deep south with my dear husband, a sweet kitty, and two much loved bad dogs. Having always been drawn to animals, I thought at one time I would be a veterinarian, but a squeamish nature proved that impossible. I was a crafty kid who hooked rugs and embroidered but never considered an art career until discovering clay in my second year of college. My BFA is from Louisiana State University (1986), and MFA from Wichita State University (1989). Somehow after college without really meaning to we ended up in Baton Rouge again, and I've been making animal pots of some sort or another here ever since.
I currently enjoy working with midrange domestic porcelain electric kiln fired to cone 6. The pots are wheel thrown, altered, and carved to accentuate animal imagery. Colorful commercial underglazes are applied at the leather hard stage. With the exception of the occasional Virgin Mary theme inspired by a lengthy Catholic upbringing, most of my imagery has revolved around animals since early in my undergraduate days. Over time the animals have slowly transformed from graceful and stoic expressionless creatures to the nervous, puzzled, frequently annoyed, sometimes painfully cute characters that liven my pots today. Function has always been an important consideration in the work, and I strive to create comfortable, joyful pots for everyday use.
 




.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)