Jill Ross Meltzer

As a Ceramic Artist, my primary focus has been to craft one-of-a-kind serving pieces. To me, they’re like portable works of art that people hold and pass around. It’s nice to imagine them at celebrations and special occasions.

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As I create my work, I have two goals: 1) to make pottery that’s finely crafted and well suited for its purpose; and, 2) to tap into pottery’s magical power to impact people’s emotions, a goal far more complex. Given it’s dailiness and the intimate nature of interactions, everyday pots have a unique role to play in setting mood. It becomes an inspiring challenge to harmonize the demands of utility with those of imparting a measure of magic to the common household pot.

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I am continually exploring ways to use color, texture, and pattern to infuse that extra dimension into my work. Drawn to the nature-inspired principles of Frank Lloyd Wright, I blend harmonious color palettes and textures from the natural world to delight a user’s senses, evoke positive feelings, and invite an appreciation for the environment.

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Layers of colorful patterns and gestural lines are laid atop thick slips and glazes reminiscent of natural textures to enhance a person’s visual and tactile experience.
I decorate loosely to add spontaneity and belie the stone-like quality of fired ceramic. The informality imparts an approachable quality to my work which, in turn, increases a person’s sense of ease and enjoyment. When there's connection, the user experiences a happy moment, captured in memory, and recalled to mind, at will. Such is the impact I seek.