Jan Jacque

"My handcrafted creations in clay and wood express my deep admiration, respect, and love for nature."

Jan Jacque has always been drawn to the forms, lines, asymmetry, and delicate complexity in nature. Clay subtly implies earth. Wood and plant images reflect the growth of living things. Mirrors suggest water and sky. The vessels and mirrors she creates are the result of her careful balance of all these elements.

Jacque's ceramic pieces are hand built using slab and coil techniques. She imprints the clay with textured sheets of foam plastic that she has drawn into with red-hot tools, creating intricate textures for the glaze to pool into. She then airbrushes the work with colorants and pit fires them with combustibles such as sawdust, leaves, and straw. This creates a smoky atmosphere that leaves interesting markings on the pieces, adding depth and subtlety to the work.

Jacque received a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craftsmen in 1977. Her long career as a full-time potter has been devoted to making beautiful objects for those who appreciate fine craft. She has received many awards for her creations and exhibits her work in galleries across the country.