Ceramics Portfolio
Hannah McPherson 519 872 4613 hkmcpherson@hotmail.com @hannmade__
Hannah McPherson Artist 461 Piccadilly St., London, ON N5Y 3G4 519 872 4613 Instagram: @hannmade__ Attn: Mr. Brian Piitz Haliburton School of Art & Design 297 College Dr., Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
Dear Mr. Brian Piitz, My name is Hannah McPherson, I am an upcoming artist living in London, Ontario. I have recently graduated from Haliburton School of Art & Design with a Visual and Creative Arts Diploma and a Certificate in Ceramics. My practice while attending this school was in functional ceramics. My body of work reflects the tones, hues and objects that would surround me every day living in the cottage country and lakeside environment of Haliburton, Ontario. I found huge inspiration in the rocks that line the town in the most sinuous landscape, and from there I applied it to my creative practice. My mugs, that I have used Mid Cal 5 and Dark Mid Cal 5 clay, have been introduced to the idea of not only function but also form. I integrated 'rocks' into my mugs to mimic the rocks that inspired me every day.
This portfolio is going to take you through the experience I had during school once I hit my breakthrough. My inspirations, interests and desirable colour palettes are all seen through these works. My exploration with ceramics lightened and became an even more exciting, creative journey after I discovered what it was I truly wanted to make. I hope you enjoy exploring through these next pages as much as I enjoyed created them.
Enclosed, I have attached my Artist Statement, Artist Bio, Curriculum Vitae and Image List.
I wish you a wonderful day! Sincerely, Hannah McPherson
Artist Statement I had never realized how much I loved rocks until I was fully immersed by their vast presence every day. From collecting rocks at the beach when I was growing up to taking a rock home from every place I travelled to, my attraction to them seeped their way into my creative process while studying ceramics, living up in Haliburton Ontario. All it took was a glance out the window. Wheel-throwing ceramic mugs was becoming a passion for me in the studio, but a part of me always felt as if something was missing. I began to study the rocks native to the Ontario land just steps away from my studio space. I created little clay 'rocks' to imitate the ones I saw, on a much smaller scale. I integrated them in with my mugs and found an open door to a pathway leading my practice in a new, positive direction. Earth and everything it offers to us has a purpose. Where land has eroded and evolved into the form it is today, was done with intent. The rocks outside were not put there by accident; they have a reason to be there. They pierce through the ground with intent and greatness. I admire the beautiful connection of a rounded planet with its very own components intruding right through, creating harmony together. I pursued to re-create this relationship into my own work, adding on the rough, rugged, hand-built rock element to the smooth, serene base of a wheel-thrown mug. Clay was the perfect medium for this, as it too, is born from the earth.
Artist Bio Hannah McPherson was born in London, Ontario, Canada. Since a young age, Hannah was always interested in painting, drawing, or just simply creating. She attended London Central Secondary School and after graduating, went on to do two years in the Bealart program located inside H.B. Beal Secondary School. She completed her Foundation Year and her Specials Year, specializing in lithography and ceramics. Hannah found a new love for the printmaking and clay world. She was involved in both year-end shows curated by the Bealart students. Afterwards, she attended the Haliburton School of Art & Design, where she graduated with a Visual and Creative Arts Diploma and a Ceramics Certificate. She participated in both of the student sale and exhibitions located at the school. Hannah has been experimenting in other mediums, including jewellery. During her time at Haliburton, she explored the idea of combining jewellery with clay, as well as making jewellery with other sources of materials. Hannah is currently living in London, Ontario again with the hopes of advancing in her art practice with clay and jewellery. She currently is a member at the London
Potters Guild. She enjoys travelling and plans on finding inspiration in her travels to reflect upon her creative process.
Curriculum Vitae 461 Piccadilly Street., London, Ontario N5Y 3G4 519 872 4613 Education 2017 | Certificate for Ceramic Arts | Fleming College, Haliburton School of Art + Design 2016-2017 | Visual & Creative Arts Diploma | Fleming College, Haliburton School of Art + Design 2015-2016 | Beal Art Specialist Program | HB Beal Secondary School 2014-2015 | Beal Art Foundation Program | HB Beal Secondary School 2014 | Ontario Secondary School Diploma | London Central Secondary School Exhibitions 2018-Present | Laila's Loft | The Farmer's Market at The Western Fair District 2017 | Wrap It Up! Student Exhibition Show & Sale | Fleming College, Haliburton School of Art & Design 2017 | I Made It! Student Exhibition Show & Sale | Fleming College, Haliburton School of Art & Design 2016 | Expressions In Chalk Street Painting Festival | Victoria Park, London, Ontario 2016 | Year End Show Student Show & Sale | Bealart, HB Beal Secondary School 2016 | More Than Clay Ceramic Specialist Show | Satellite Gallery, London, Ontario 2016 | Re[inter]act Specialist Installation Show | Satellite Gallery, London, Ontario 2015 | Expressions In Chalk Street Painting Festival | Victoria Park, London, Ontario 2015 | Year End Show Student Show & Sale | Bealart, HB Beal Secondary School 2010, 2011, 2014 | Expressions In Chalk Street Painting Festival | Victoria Park, London, Ontario
Memberships 2017-2018 | London Potters Guild | London Clay Art Centre, London, Ontario Employment
2018-Present | Bartender/Barista | The Root Cellar, London, Ontario 2017-Present | Server/Cashier | Haven's Creamery, London, Ontario References Available upon request
Image List 1. Rock Mug I December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 2. Rock Mug II December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 3. Rock Mug II - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 4. Rock Mug II - top view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 5. Rock Mug III December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5“
*all dimensions are measured length x width x height
6. Rock Mug III - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 7. Rock Mug IV December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 8. Rock Mug IV - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 9. Rock Mug V December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 10. Rock Mug V - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
11. Rock Mug V - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 12. Rock Mug IV December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" 13. Rock Mugs I & IV 14. Rock Mugs II & V 15. Rock Mugs V & VI
16. Purple Was Her Favourite Colour I December 2017 Cone 6 Stoneware 5" x 4" x 3.5" 17. Purple Was Her Favourite Colour II December 2017 Cone 6 Stoneware 5" x 4" x 3.5" 18. Purple Was her Favourite Colour III December 2017 Cone 6 Stoneware 5" x 4" x 3.5" 19. Purple Was Her Favourite Colour - front view 20. Purple Was Her Favourite Colour - top view
21. Blue Collection - Mug December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 5" 22. Blue Collection 23. Blue Collection - front view 24. Blue Collection - top view
25. Earth Mug I December 2017 Cone 6 Dark Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 3.5" 26. Earth Mug II December 2017 Cone 6 Dark Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 3.5" 27. Earth Mug III December 2017 Cone 6 Dark Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 3.5" 28. Earth Mug IV December 2017 Cone 6 Dark Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 3.5" 29. Earth Mugs I & IV 30. Earth Mugs III & IV
1. Rock Mug I December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
2. Rock Mug II December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
3. Rock Mug II - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
4. Rock Mug II - top view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
5. Rock Mug III December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
6. Rock Mug III - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
7. Rock Mug IV December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
8. Rock Mug IV - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
9. Rock Mug V December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
10. Rock Mug V - top view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
11. Rock Mug V - side view December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
12. Rock Mug VI December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
13. Rock Mugs I & IV
14. Rock Mugs II & V
15. Rock Mugs V & VI
16. Purple Was Her Favourite Colour I December 2017 Cone 6 Stoneware 5" x 4" x 3.5"
17. Purple Was Her Favourite Colour II December 2017 Cone 6 Stoneware 5" x 4" x 3.5"
18. Purple Was her Favourite Colour III December 2017 Cone 6 Stoneware 5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
19. Purple Was Her Favourite Colour - front view
20. Purple Was Her Favourite Colour - top view
21. Blue Collection - Mug December 2017 Cone 6 Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 5"
22. Blue Collection
23. Blue Collection - front view
24. Blue Collection - top view
25. Earth Mug I December 2017 Cone 6 Dark Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 3.5"
26. Earth Mug II December 2017 Cone 6 Dark Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 3.5"
27. Earth Mug III December 2017 Cone 6 Dark Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 3.5"
28. Earth Mug IV December 2017 Cone 6 Dark Mid Cal 5 4.5" x 3" x 3.5"
29. Earth Mugs I & IV
30. Earth Mugs III & IV