Biography/ Artist Statements
Mark Freeman
Biography/ Artist Statement
I am primarily a functional potter who occasionally steps into the realm of decorative ceramics. I am always captivated by ancient pottery and can often spend hours in the ceramics section of any art museum. I like the thought that anything I make will potentially last for thousands of years. With that in mind, I continually strive to make the best pots I am capable of making. I despise mass production and modern day consumerism and long for a more simple existence. I strive to meet each person who buys my work to make sure that they take a little piece of the artist with their purchase. I intend for my functional work to become a part of the users daily life. With each piece I make, I sincerely hope that it finds a home where the new owner will make use of it and enjoy it's uniqueness and functionality.
I was born in Hays, Kansas and later moved to the small central Kansas town of Ellinwood. After high school, I attended Barton Community College and received an Associate in Arts with honors. In 2009 I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Fort Hays State University. And in 2011 I received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. I am now an apprentice at Carol Long Pottery in St. John Kansas. I am continually expanding my knowledge base on forms, glazes, and firing techniques. My ultimate goal is to become a professional artist and produce work from my own studio.
I am primarily a functional potter who occasionally steps into the realm of decorative ceramics. I am always captivated by ancient pottery and can often spend hours in the ceramics section of any art museum. I like the thought that anything I make will potentially last for thousands of years. With that in mind, I continually strive to make the best pots I am capable of making. I despise mass production and modern day consumerism and long for a more simple existence. I strive to meet each person who buys my work to make sure that they take a little piece of the artist with their purchase. I intend for my functional work to become a part of the users daily life. With each piece I make, I sincerely hope that it finds a home where the new owner will make use of it and enjoy it's uniqueness and functionality.
I was born in Hays, Kansas and later moved to the small central Kansas town of Ellinwood. After high school, I attended Barton Community College and received an Associate in Arts with honors. In 2009 I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Fort Hays State University. And in 2011 I received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. I am now an apprentice at Carol Long Pottery in St. John Kansas. I am continually expanding my knowledge base on forms, glazes, and firing techniques. My ultimate goal is to become a professional artist and produce work from my own studio.
Bambi Freeman
Biography/ Artist Statement
After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design at Fort Hays State University I followed my passion and pursued a career in Ceramics and art in general.I was born in Great Bend, Kansas and raised in the country outside the small town of Ellinwood, Kansas. Growing up, I had a very playful and fun filled childhood. Living in the country with few neighbors forces a child to tap into their imagination and make the most of their surroundings. I was often caught up in whimsical fairy tale type play in simple mundane Kansas prairie surroundings.
I have since moved back to this area of Kansas and own the property right next to where I grew up. This sparked a sense of nostalgia that allowed me to again tap into that creative side of my childhood. The theme of my ceramic work often revolves around using the ideas from my own personal sketchbook. I enjoy finding something that speaks to me and then quickly sketching it in pencil through rough, gestural simple sketch lines. I then use these sketches that I feel captured my feeling at the moment as the subject matter for the surface treatment on various hand built or wheel thrown forms. I can bring color to my work using underglazes whereas the sketchbook is simply pencil. Each line is created by me, vibrant and eye catching, bringing out the playful side of humanity reminiscent of my childhood coloring book days. I loved that feeling of honest expression without a care in the world. That, in essence, is what I am attempting to capture and convey in my work.
After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design at Fort Hays State University I followed my passion and pursued a career in Ceramics and art in general.I was born in Great Bend, Kansas and raised in the country outside the small town of Ellinwood, Kansas. Growing up, I had a very playful and fun filled childhood. Living in the country with few neighbors forces a child to tap into their imagination and make the most of their surroundings. I was often caught up in whimsical fairy tale type play in simple mundane Kansas prairie surroundings.
I have since moved back to this area of Kansas and own the property right next to where I grew up. This sparked a sense of nostalgia that allowed me to again tap into that creative side of my childhood. The theme of my ceramic work often revolves around using the ideas from my own personal sketchbook. I enjoy finding something that speaks to me and then quickly sketching it in pencil through rough, gestural simple sketch lines. I then use these sketches that I feel captured my feeling at the moment as the subject matter for the surface treatment on various hand built or wheel thrown forms. I can bring color to my work using underglazes whereas the sketchbook is simply pencil. Each line is created by me, vibrant and eye catching, bringing out the playful side of humanity reminiscent of my childhood coloring book days. I loved that feeling of honest expression without a care in the world. That, in essence, is what I am attempting to capture and convey in my work.
Mark and Bambi Freeman
Collaborative Artist Statement
Often times we have similar ideas in mind and have found that by working together we have created a unique style. Our collaborative work becomes part of us both showing each of our strengths and inspirations. Our collaborative pieces are primarily thrown by Mark and decorated and altered by Bambi. Glazing and firing is a shared process.
Often times we have similar ideas in mind and have found that by working together we have created a unique style. Our collaborative work becomes part of us both showing each of our strengths and inspirations. Our collaborative pieces are primarily thrown by Mark and decorated and altered by Bambi. Glazing and firing is a shared process.