Christine Bentley

Christine Bentley Artist Bio

A native of the Atlanta area, Christine Bentley has been throwing pots for over ten years. She recently added "art teacher" to her list of obligations, teaching high school art in Cobb County. Christine is inspired by simplicity, functionality, and forms found in nature. She also is a resident artist and instructor at MudFire Clayworks. Christine works primarily in porcelain.

Christine Bentley Artist Statement

I took my first ceramics class ten years ago in college. As all beginner classes go, we began with handbuilding… but I had my eye on the wheel the whole time. I asked repeatedly if I could try it, and finally, for the final project, my professor gave me a chance. Back then my pots were heavy and thick, but I was determined to keep trying. Over the next several years, I kept taking classes in school and, after graduation, continued off and on with various clay studios that gave instruction.

Then something wonderful happened. I finally had enough money to buy my own wheel. I began throwing almost every day. Then I discovered a pottery studio in Atlanta, where I became a resident artist. There I found inspiration, a place to fire my work, and instruction on glazes. I had always used light colored clays with little or no grog. At MudFire, I was introduced to porcelain, which is my primary clay choice now. I like the final cool white color, and its luxurious texture.

My artwork in general has continuously been influenced by nature, whether its color, shape or design. The calming and peaceful blues and greens of the ocean have always inspired me. My pots tend to be simple, forgoing much decoration. Rather than focusing on complicated designs and textures, it's the smooth simple shapes that emerge from my hands. In the past year, I have become increasingly interested in the power of the line. A line can convey energy, peace, frustration, etc, depending on its intensity, width, or direction. There's a line on most of my vessels.

And I always make functional pieces. Even the really tiny ones! There is something alluring about having a meal served from a hand made bowl or dish. The food just tastes better.

Perhaps most importantly, I find that when I throw, nothing else matters. My mind empties when I am working on the wheel. I find peace in simply sitting and thinking of nothing but the feel of the clay. In the end, I make pots for that simple reason.