Liz Merlot
Oh, kindred spirit, does the universe conspire, or are we meant to meet in this very moment?
Greetings, my name is Liz Merlot. For over half my lifetime here on this beautiful planet I have been playing with the earth itself. The fiery breath of the kiln, the alchemical embrace of raw materials and the graceful pirouette of water on my potter's wheel- has unveiled ceramics itself as a holistic journey. I believe it is a timeless echo, connecting me to eons of souls who shaped clay under countless stars before my own.
My path commenced nearly 16 years ago- working as a teacher, lab technician, and artist in several studios that I feel lucky to have called home. I have been privileged to win several awards throughout my lifetime, including the Ruth Reed scholarship which unfurled a path to delve into ceramic arts amidst the French countryside and its bustling cities.
Later, I was granted the "Top Ceramicist" award at my collegiate alma mater. A place where, in a twist of fate, I would later return as an instructor.
And perhaps, amidst it all, the most profound blessing has been the quiet gift of motherhood. For so long, as a lab technician, my art was put on the back burner- focusing soley on creation for others. While I enjoyed helping others bring their art to life, I had little time for my own
With the gentle arrival of this small person, I was called to slow my rhythm. To observe the soft ballet of water in the ocean and embrace the delicate unfurling of tiny petals and leaves through her eyes anew.
This pause returned me to my center. In our tender glow, my passion was beautifully reignited
Determination, an open heart, and the very fire that shapes my art have forged me into the artist I am today. From my days as a lab technician, conjuring glazes and orchestrating the incandescent dance of cone 10 reduction firings- to my time now as a mentor, guiding aspiring hands. I hold an unwavering belief that every soul I meet carries a lesson, an inextinguishable spark. This realization has propelled my growth, pushing me to perpetually evolve, a comet, a phoenix- a lotus from mud and ashes.
Inspired by the boundless tapestry of my lifetime, my vessels are born. They are not merely objects but whispers of the self, designed to ignite a flicker of wonder and perhaps, a gasp of delightful surprise!
They are the culmination of years steeped in experience an outpouring of my very essence- my energy, my wit, my passion, my love and my creativity- all coalesced into one.
Thank you for joining me in this moment- on this tiny floating rock in Outerspace. So stay awhile- my dear sweet friend.