Peppi Melick Potter (pictured above with Grandchildren)
I became a professional potter in 1975, making and selling earthenware planters at Saturday Market in Medford, Oregon, drawing on 2 years of fine arts and ceramics at University of Oregon and Southern Oregon State College. Over the years, I have done production work in coffee mugs, made specialty drums for craft fairs, developed a line of garden sculptures, birdbaths, elf houses and garden gnomes. I have made a wide variety of hand built and thrown items, glazed and unglazed, slip painted and mixed media. For the last 12 years, I have been working mainly in high fire colored porcelain, staining small amounts of the clay and using it as an inlay technique.
My current work is primarily kitchenware made of thrown and altered porcelain combined with colored inlay. Plates, bowls and mugs come in sets suitable for table ware, matched for weight and shape but endless in color combinations and design. The ware is very durable fired to cone 9 electric. It is dishwasher, microwave and food safe. I enjoy experimenting with floral and vegetable designs in bright colors. Many of my design ideas come from my own garden and the natural world around us in rural Oregon. It makes me happy knowing that these pieces will give many years of service and pleasure.
Since 1991 I have been privileged to teach as an artist in residence with the A.I.E. program, grades K thru 12, my specialty being K-6. Cultural and historical aspects are stressed with many projects aimed at understanding the uses of pottery down through the ages and all over the world. These activities can fulfill the requirements of CIM and CAM benchmarks when used along with existing curriculum goals. I provide kiln information and a firing schedule, as well as a hands on in-service for teachers.
The Applegate House Heritage Arts and Education (AHHAe) non-profit organization in Yoncalla, Oregon offers heritage art workshops. I am presently developing the AHHAe pottery program. We hope to have a wood kiln and kick wheels as well as electric kilns (a small bow to technology) set up for classes and workshops by spring 2002. We will explore local clays and use many "old time ways" to foster interest in historical American potteries.
Please feel free to contact me at:
Peppi Melick
923 Cleveland Rapids Rd
Roseburg, Or 97470
Phone: (541) 672-7184
Email: david@wanweb.net
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