About Magpie Pottery

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Maggie Mae Beyeler

I have been making ceramic art since 1987, when I chose to focus my life’s work on making beautiful objects for every day use. From 1990-1993 I studied ceramics formally at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where I received a Masters Degree in ceramic art. Since that time I have migrated from the high country of the Rocky Mountains to the desert outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. For the past 16 years I have operated Magpie Pottery out of my home studio and taught numerous classes and workshops at colleges and community clay centers in the area.

The focus of my work highlights a continuing interest in the textural/surface possibilities of clay, along with forms and imagery that refer to the natural world. I utilize both slabs and wheel-thrown forms to construct work which I hope is loose, lively, and visually interesting. It has always been important to me to let the clay speak; to allow for it’s fluidity, sensuousness, and spontaneity. In the last 5 years I have investigated the use of laser-toner transferred images to enhance the surface quality of my porcelain tableware  while  engaging  my continual love of  collage. All of my work is made from a white stoneware/porcelain clay body and then electric-fired to a mid-range cone 6 temperature.

Magpie Pottery  can be seen at various art shows and fairs throughout the Southwest and at the bi-annual Contemporary Clay Fair in Santa Fe, as well as  featured in numerous publications including Sunset Magazine, Ceramic Review, and  Lark Publication’s  ever-popular 500 series.