Chanda Droske, ceramic artist featured at The Book Teller
“I would say the major change in my work has evolved through ceramic glaze research into rare earth elements...”
Chanda Droske, creator of the stunningly gorgeous ceramics you see on the shelves of handcrafted gifts at The Book Teller, shared with us a little about who she is, what inspires her designs, and what keeps her positive.
TBT: Who are you and what do you do (besides create ceramics)?
Chanda: I was an elementary art teacher. I recently resigned to raise our son, which has been an amazing experience so far. Since having him in our lives, I try to get into the studio (I make jewelry too) when time allows. My husband (also a Book Teller artist- Mike Kern) and I have a small piece of land where we have a home, studio, garden, and a few chickens. We grow a lot of vegetables in the summer and are planning to expand into a small market garden! I really enjoy preserving food and trying to have enough canned/frozen goods to make it through the winter.
TBT: What got you started with ceramics?
Chanda: I had an amazing high school art teacher who really fostered independence and creativity in her classroom and I was fortunate to be able to experiment with ceramics in high school. I decided to attend UW-Whitewater for Art and after taking the required ceramics class, I fell in love with the medium and was very inspired by my professors, so I decided to pursue a Fine Arts degree in Ceramics.
TBT: What is your process?
Chanda: Throw, trim, wax, design, fire, glaze, fire, repeat. All of my pots are made on the wheel with porcelain. After they are trimmed, I apply a wax resist over the leatherhard clay. I use a knife to cut the designs through the wax and into the clay. Then I use colored slip or underglaze and paint it into the crevices (ceramic inlay) made by the knife and wipe away the excess. After the pots are bisque fired, I lightly sand, wash and glaze them.
Ceramic dishware by Chanda Droske and Mike Kern at The Book Teller
TBT: How has your work changed over time?
Chanda: I have been practicing ceramics passionately for about 12 years. You learn a lot through the process of what you can and can’t do, especially with clay. I would say the major change in my work has evolved through ceramic glaze research into rare earth elements such as praseodymium, neodymium, and erbium oxides which have given me the beautifully soft and pastel-like glazes I had longed for. My work has its roots in nature, originally decorated with patterns referencing butterfly and moth wings, and now morphing into more abstract designs.
TBT: By what/who are you often inspired?
Chanda: Often I am inspired by beautiful designs, patterns, or textures that I see around me, whether it be in nature or manmade.
Ceramic mugs by Chanda Droske and Mike Kern at The Book Teller
TBT: What’s your favorite aspect of the work you do?
Chanda: Definitely the designs! I really enjoy making the pots, but I love designing them! Each one is different and the designs are constantly evolving.
TBT: What is your dream project?
Chanda: To make an inventory of mugs for a restaurant or coffee shop!
TBT: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Chanda: I guess this isn’t really advice but…. A quote that has really resonated with me lately is from Buddha, “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” It reminds me of how powerful the mind is and to try to keep positive and productive thoughts.