Artist Statement

It is an awesome and humbling experience to work in a medium with an illustrious history dating back over 9,000 years. The durability of this medium found in shards and fragments is often the only glimpse left from past cultures. I’m drawn to the ceramic traditions that are part of a living community - forms for celebrations, ceremonies and everyday life.

The process of working in clay from the soft and malleable earthy materials to the unique chemical changes occurring during firings is a constant source of fascination. I’m especially interested in firing techniques that involve elements of chance. Soda, wood and crystalline firings compound the elements of chance, allowing for surprising results. The tremendous heat and at times volatile environment, has the potential to magically transform the surfaces. This is nothing short of alchemy for me.

karen-hembree-winter-tea-wood-fire.jpg
altered-bowl_tenmoku-wood-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-element-teapot-series-tree-II-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-altered-wall-vase-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-amber-celadon-garden-poppy-bowl-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-shanghai-carved-teapot-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-wave-trilogy-carved-bowls-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-cobalt-crystalline-pagoda-jar-crystalline-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-ewer-set-with-tray-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-small-pouring-bowl- celadon-interior-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-lotus-garden-teapot-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-pagoda-series-nickel-crystalline.jpg
karen-hembree-white-jade-crystalline-bottle.jpg
karen-hembree-altered-x-vase-wood-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-tenmoku-altered-teapot-bowls-with-tray-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-zen-pouring-pot, oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-amber-celadon-espresso-cup-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-amber-celadon-place-setting-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-morning-pairing-coffee-mugs-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-night-latte-cup-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-nickel-crystalline-pagoda-jar-crystalline-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-olive-bowl-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-nuka-glazed-teapot-and-bowls-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-pagoda-jar-I-wood-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-amber-celadon-sugar-and -creamer-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-amber-celadon-wave- carved-sake-cup-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-pouring-bowl-trio-on-sushi-block-soda-fire-and-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-amber-teapot-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-shanghai-latte-cup-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-tea-bowls-and-tray- wood-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-oil-spot-latte-cup-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-tenmoku-ewer-set-with-bowls-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-shino-for-pinot-wood-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-carved-cups-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-midnight-garden-teapot-soda-fire..jpg
karen-hembree-black-tenmoku-pouring-bowl-wood-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-soy-sauce-pitchers-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-jade-crystalline-over-oil-spot-pagoda-jar.jpg
karen-hembree-carved-sake-cup-fire-and-ice-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-dancing-fire-teapot-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-ewer-and-bowls-on-sushi block-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-fire-and-ice-teapot-and-cups-on-oil-spot-tray- soda-f…nd-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-koyasan-series-tenmoku-garinto-jar-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-tea-and-sushi-place-setting-soda-fir.jpg
karen-hembree-tenmoku-teapot-with-creamer-and-sugar-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-koyasan-series-gorinto-I-wood-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-suzhou-tea-cup-and-saucer-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-green-tea-with-double-wall-tray-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-tigers-eye-espresso-cup-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-element-teapot-series-earth-II-soda-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-carved-tenmoku-tea-for-two.jpg
karen-hembree-jade-crystalline-pagoda-jar-crystalline-oxidation.jpg
karen-hembree-element-teapot-series-fire-II-wood-fire.jpg
karen-hembree-amber-pouring-bowl-carved-plate.jpg