Heidi Fahrenbacher, Khnemu Studio Gallery Artist

Heidi Fahrenbacher - Artist Statement

As a child my parents took me on numerous trips to wonderful
places such as BereaCollege, Arrowmont School of Arts and
Crafts, and any potter’s studio that was open along the roadside. 
My parents always had Rowe Pottery and Bennington Pottery
around the house and I became intrigued by the texture of the
clay and the raised slip decoration.  At the time I just thought
it was fun but, in retrospect, it was the foundation for my love
for ceramics.

 When I enrolled at KalamazooCollege I planned on majoring
in Biology.  However when I was a sophomore my dad sat me
down and advised me that he thought I should pursue what I really loved and what made me happy.  At that point I changed majors and graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Fine Arts and Art History.

Having worked for several ceramic artists I decided to open my own studio in 2005.  I have been working with porcelain clay and have been fluctuating between functional and sculptural objects, including the literal and figurative.  I have created sculptural ceramic chairs, pit-fired chimney pots, translucent porcelain lights, wood-fired porcelain, salt-fired porcelain, and gas-fired functional porcelain.  While focusing on one medium, I continue to search for alternative forms.

Recently, I began thinking about my work in terms of how one accessorizes an outfit.  I always think about color combinations; how the color of my pants effects the color of my shirt.  How the color of my pants effects the choice of my shoes.  This in part relates to my selection of jewelry.  The combination of styles, colors, and textures represent different fashion genres.  For me, breaking my thought process down into something figurative allows me to look at it more objectively and with less anxiety.  I appreciate color and its ability to interact with people.

Utilizing a potter’s wheel my pots are formed and altered.  With each piece, I draw an image that compliments or contrasts the pattern I have carved into black slip.  I then hand paint glaze on each piece, which creates textures and color variations.  With each piece sold I hope to enhance my customer’s day-to-day life.