|
Artist Biography
Mary Philpott is a member of the Roycrofters At Large Association based in East Aurora New York. Mary, a native of Oakville, Canada, began her career studying Art History and Archeology at the University of Guelph. The natural affinity between the subjects led her to an interest in clay, both domestic tableware and architectural ceramics. She continued her studies at the School of Craft and Design and at Sheridan College. Subsequently she took a three year residency at the Harbourfront Craft Studios in Toronto. During this residency Mary created the Wandering Fire Pottery line, and proceeded to establish a studio in the Wallace Avenue Studios in Toronto. The Studio offered Pottery and Tile Classes for seven years. The Studio underwent a name change in 2005, becoming Verdant Tile Company; Verdant Tile Co. and moved to Stratford Ontario Canada. The studio is housed in the historic Stratford Railway Station, an Arts & Crafts Prairie style building, with the studio in the old shipping area of the train station. The Studio produces a Tile line, designed for fireplace and hearth; kitchen and bath, with a focus on Custom Design. Vases to accompany the tilework are reminiscent of Art Nouveau Majolica ware of England and France. Public and Private Tile commissions include signs for restaurants; address tiles for both public and domestic buildings; a tile mural for Town Hall in Michigan and tiles for the Royal Oak Women's' Association in Michigan as well as many other private commissions for the home. The tiles are also shown at Art Exhibitions in Canada, France and the United States. The tiles have won awards at Tile Exhibitions in Minnesota, Toronto and Michigan and New York.
Much of the Tile and Vessel influence is a mix of both the British Arts & Crafts Movement; the Aesthetic Movement, and the Art Nouveau period in France.
For more information about the Roycrofters, please visit www.Ralaweb.com and t www.Roycrofter.com Above print created by Laura Wilder www.LauraWilder.com
Further Study... Residency in Vallauris France I'll be doing a Residency in the South of France, at AIR-Vallauris from mid September until the end of October. This Residency offers an environment in which to study and develop some new work, exploring a few ideas that have been tinkling in my head...ah, the Language of the Birds....... This includes an exhibition of the work being made there with the other Residents on October 23 2010 For more Information on A.I.R. Vallauris please visit
Vallauris is a historical town known throughout France for its Ceramics, with numerous family run Ateliers producing lines of tableware, jardinières, tiles and so forth. Famously Picasso spent much of his time working and living, in Vallauris producing work, innovative and traditionally inspired, working with other ceramists and exhibiting his ceramics.
Time to study the Langue de France!
The Studio will be closed during this time period of September 14th through to November 10th. Alors...... I'll be in production right up until that time, doing custom work, special orders and production orders, as well as all the shows listed on the Exhibitions page.
Although non-visual influences are difficult to perceive in the Work; The light that streams in the window while designing; Books that are read by lamplight on the dark winter evenings, The Music that you listen to while walking your dog or carving a new tile, throwing a vase on the wheel... All Things interweave like a Tapestry. These have a great affect on the Work being Made.
Some influences of Interest are listed on the Links page...
Please join us on Facebook at Verdant Tile Co. Or Visit our Blog:
|
ll work on this site is protected under Copyright and Intellectual Property Laws, and is the sole property of Verdant Tile Co. ©2002-2010 Any reproduction must have written consent by the Author.
Tile Catalogue Vessels Exhibitions Schedule Galleries & Showrooms Ordering Information Contact, Hours & Location
