Artist Statement

Joyce Diveley of Joyce Diveley Design Pottery...Craftsman Style Pottery

Working in clay brings me a feeling of freedom. After a 33 year career in architectural design - drawing plans, reading plans, making plans... I plan very little! I build all of my pieces by hand, leaving my mark with each one. I hope to stand back with a feeling of pride and accomplishment, knowing that my piece is well crafted, fulfills the rules of good design and brings a smile to an admirer's face.

A screen porch on the Mississippi River was where I attended a "Clay Camp" hosted by a local artist about 8 years ago and I was instantly hooked on clay. I am inspired by nature and change my direction with the changing of the seasons.  Red earthenware is predominant in the fall and winter because it is warm, earthy and organic. Lighter colors seem to inspire my work in the spring and summer. An Arts and Crafts linear style is always present in my work. The tree is a reoccuring theme that is the basis of all that surrounds my pottery shed, and is why I live in the Midwest where the changing of the seasons is so obvious by just watching the trees.

My functional work is often whimsical and quite detailed. My wall art can be realistic, such as an egret in flight, or abstract with just the essence of nature shown by a curling dried leaf in winter, or a flitting dragonfly in summer.

My clay is light hearted, brilliantly colored, creative and unique.  No two pieces are ever exactly alike!