Emily Murphy

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Thank You For Your Order

Thank you for order from Beth and Lars’ wedding registry. All pieces will be shipped directly to the happy couple. On the date of the shower and the date of the wedding, and any time after the wedding, your notes and well-wishes will be passed along to the couple.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Thanks again!

Emily

Process

Soda firing is a unique firing process. After 12 hrs of firing, the kiln reaches around 2250′F. This is when the magic begins. I add in a mixture of wood chips, water,calcium carbonate, soda ash & baking soda (yes, the Arm & Hammer kind). This mixture will burn and the soda will vaporize into a vaporous glaze. The vapor is carried on the flame throughout kiln and lands on the pots and glazes each piece. This creates a unique surface that is varied and unpredictable. Each piece is completely one of a kind.

All my work is lead-free and user friendly. The pieces that are completely ceramic (not soap dispensers & jewelry) are microwave and dishwasher safe. Perfect for everyday use!

Shop

Online:
Etsy
Akar
Wedding Registries

At my studio:
4401 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Studio 205 West
Chicago, IL 60640
map
details

Galleries:

Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL
Haus Gallery, Chicago, IL
Dancing Loon Artisans Gallery, New Buffalo, MI
Gallery Janjobe, Louisville, KY
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
State Museum Gallery, Springfield, IL
Illinois Artisan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Illinois Artisan Gallery at Rend Lake, Whittington, IL

Exhibitions:

2008

Winterfest 2008, Invitational. Baltimore Clayworks. Baltimore, MD. Nov. - Dec.
Our Cups Runneth Over: Sculptural and Functional Ceramic Cups, Invitational. Society of Arts and Crafts. Boston, Ma. Nov. - Jan. 09.
Wall of Cups, Invitational. Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. May - present.
A Show of Hands, Invitational. Gallery Janjobe. Louisville, KY. May - June.
Another Cup?, Invitational. Baltimore Clay Works. Baltimore, MD. Jan - Feb.
Faculty Exhibition, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Jan. - Feb.
2008 Yunomi Invitational, ᾹKᾹR, Iowa City, IA. March - July

Resume

Professional Experience

Studio potter – specializing in soda fired functional ceramics. Chicago, IL. 1999 - present
Pottery Blog – ceramics focused blog at: http://potteryblog.com. July 2004 - present
Ceramics Instructor – Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL. March 2000 - present
Soda Firing Program Head – Lillstreet Art Center, June 2001 - present.
Ceramics Instructor– Lillstreet Learning Center, Outreach Program, Chicago, IL, March 2001 - June 2005
Ceramics/Art Teacher – North Avenue Day Center, Chicago, IL. February 2000 - April 2001
Ceramics Studio Manager – I nterlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen Arts Camp, Interlochen, MI. summer 1999
Teaching Assistant and Studio Technician – Earlham College, Richmond, IN. fall 1997 - summer 1999
Teaching Assistant – Explore-a-College at Earlham College, Richmond, IN. summers, 1997 and 1998

Shows

2008

2007

Faculty Exhibition, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Jan. - Feb.
Serving the U.S.: Master Kiln Builders Invitational, NCECA exhibition, Glassworks Gallery, Louisville, KY, Curator: Donovan Palmquist. March
New Work by Emily Murphy, solo exhibition at Haus Gallery, Chicago, IL April - May
Annual Holiday Show, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Nov. - Jan.

2006

Faculty Exhibition, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Jan. - Feb.
14th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center, Lancaster, PA. Juror: Tom Coleman. April - May *merchant award
Ceramics Biennial 2006, NH Institute of Art, Manchester, NH. Juror: Mary Barringer. Oct. - Dec.
Annual Holiday Show, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Nov. - Jan.

2005

Faculty Exhibition, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Jan. - Feb.
Annual Holiday Show, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Nov. - Jan.

2004

Faculty Exhibition, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Jan. - Feb.
Teapot Exhibition, Illinois Artisan Gallery, Chicago, IL. May
4th Annual National Juried Cup Show, Gallery 138, Kent State University, Kent OH. Juror: Janet Buskirk. May - June

Ceramic Biennial 2004, NH Institute of Art, Manchester, NH. Juror: Chris Gustin. Oct. - Dec.
Cup: The Intimate Object III, Charlie Cummings Clay Studio, Fort Wayne, IN. Juror: Peter Beasecker. Nov. - Jan.
Small Treasures,Invitational. Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Nov. - Jan.

2003

Faculty Exhibition, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Jan. - Feb.
Lillstreet Gallery Presents: Emily Murphy and Lisa Harris, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. April - May
Teapot Exhibition, Illinois Artisan Gallery, Chicago, IL. May
Annual Holiday Show, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Nov. - Jan.

2002

Orpheum Theater Presents: Emily Murphy and Jim Murphy, Orpheum Gallery, Foxboro, MA, April - May
Annual Holiday Show, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Nov. - Jan.

2000 - 2001

Annual Holiday Show, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL. Nov. - Jan.

1999

Interlochen Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition, Interlochen MI, C-7 Gallery, Interlochen Center for the Arts, July
Senior Art Major Exhibition, Richmond IL, Leeds Gallery, Earlham College, April - May

Publications

500 Pitchers, Lark Books. 2 images. Spring 2006
500 Cups, Lark Books. 2 images. Spring 2005

Galleries

Professional Associations

Lillstreet Studios
NCECA, National Council on Education of the Ceramic Arts
Potter’s Council
Illinois Artisan Program
Chicago Artist Coalition
Woman Made Gallery

Education

Earlham College, Richmond IN. BA with College and Departmental Honors in Art with double concentration in ceramics and metals. September 1996 - May 1999.
Wheaton College, Norton MA. September 1994 - June 1995

Artist Statement

Looking back and moving forward.

Clay is one of the oldest materials used by humans, and its place in the lives of humans has changed and evolved as we have. It’s had a central place in a community as vessels that store water and grains. Today we most often see clay in the form of toilets, sinks, heater elements, and our molded dishes. With modern manufacturing we have personal spaces which we can easily fill to overflowing with things, so that few people can really say they lack any quantity of items. We store water in disposable plastic bottles, we store our food in layers of boxes and plastic bags, and once we’ve used these up we store the garbage in more layers of plastic until they can be taken away in the metal boxes on wheels. Things just flow through our hands, from factory to landfill, each item indistinguishable from the next and inevitably forgotten once sealed in the earth.

So the place that clay has in our world today is much different than it’s been before. Clay is still plentiful, but it’s never been disposable. And clay as art still has the intention and purpose behind it that long ago would have been present in every vessel. It can be something to stop our busy lives for a few moments in the morning to meditate over our morning coffee out of our favorite mug. It can be a vase that with or without flowers, we can stop to think about how it is one of the few objects in our lives that are hand made and individual.

Each and every piece that I make is one of a kind. I often make pieces in a series, but because they are hand crafted and fired in a soda kiln no two pieces are identical. I’m drawn to the pieces with a depth that you can explore, with subtle nuances in the texture and patterns in the glaze. A piece where you can always look a little closer and see something new. You aren’t going to see that in a mass produced plate from Target, or a ceramic mug from Ikea. Our lives are busy and we often don’t allow ourselves to slow down and take a moment to reflect. I see clay/pottery/ceramics as a way to feel a connection with another person, and an excuse to slow down for a moment.

Clay is a material that has a long and rich tradition. I try to reference that history, but in the context of our contemporary world. This is why I love the process of soda firing, also a contemporary adaptation of an older process.

In the 14^th century potters began using a technique called salt firing. By adding salt into a kiln, the pieces would be glazed without having to individually apply glaze to each piece. This was great for the very utilitarian pieces like sewer pipes and whiskey jugs. But by the 1970’s there were problems with the technique – black smoke comes from the chimneys, and it wasn’t very friendly to the environment or your neighbors. So another technique was developed, using soda ash and baking soda. The kiln is gas fired and this soda mixture is added to the kiln near the end of the firing (around 2200°F); the soda vaporizes and is carried on the flame throughout the kiln. The soda reacts with the pieces, changing their color and texture. The variations you see on the pieces come from the variations in the kiln – how close a piece is to the burner, how much room there is for the flame to flow across the piece, even the temperature outside or the humidity can effect the outcome. Even after firing soda kilns hundreds of times there are still surprises to be found in how the pieces react. The pieces make are tributes to the unpredictable and unique effects of this process.

Emily Murphy

Registries

From Bethanie & Lars:

We are thrilled that Emily will be designing handmade pottery just for us! Bethanie learned early on about the process of making pots from her stay-at-home/potter dad and grew up with an appreciation for handmade pottery. She also grew up with Emily! (They shared the particularly formative experiences of pre-school and working at McClay’s Market.) Of course, we immediately thought of her when we talked about creating a registry. We discussed with Emily the designs that we liked to come up with a unique set of beautiful and functional tableware, a set of espresso cups, and we’ve even decided to spoil Miami the cat with her own special bowls.

From Emily:

Congratulations to Beth and Lars this weekend! The registry will remain up for the foreseeable future, so orders can be placed after the wedding too!

I am so excited to this registry for Beth and Lars. Hours have been spent on the phone and many emails have gone back and forth to create this very personal registry. All of the pieces are custom designed for Beth and Lars. Ceramics is not a fast process, so I am still working on completing the samples. The images below are of the sample pieces in progress (what you see if freshly trimmed clay, not even dry yet). The pictures will be updated as pieces are finished and glazed!

All pieces will be shipped directly to Beth and Lars upon completion. The shipping and handling costs are calculated for shipping the work all together. I will send them a list of registry items for both the shower and the wedding along with any notes from friends and family for the happy couple!

The sales are done through PayPal so everything is super safe and secure. If you’re more comfortable mailing a check, send me an email so I can adjust the inventory and we can discuss the details.

Registry Items:

place setting: 12 ordered / 10 sold

$130 / set

This is a dinnerware set of 3. Large dinner plate, medium lunch plate, and a cereal/ soup bowl. The plates will be glazed with a creamy white glaze with two asymmetrical turquoise glaze lines. The bowl will have the same white glaze on the interior with the turquoise glazed sprayed on the outside of the bowl. Lars and Beth will used these dishes daily as well as for dinner parties. Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

tea cup and saucer: 12 ordered / 5 sold

$60 / set

A simple tea cup and a saucer to match. The interior glaze will be a creamy white with a turquoise glaze sprayed on the outside. Afternoon tea with finger sandwiches anyone?
Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

espresso cup and saucer: 4 ordered / 4 sold

$50/ set

A small espresso cup with a tiny saucer to match. These cups will be glazed with bright blues and greens to match the energy of the caffeine within! Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

set of 4 small cat bowls: 1 set ordered / 1 sold

$50 / set

Miami the cat needs her own custom dishes too. This set of 4 dishes will match Beth and Lars dinnerware.
Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

medium serving bowl: 1 ordered / 1 sold

$95

This serving bowl has oh so many uses. A fresh summer salad for two, sweet strawberries, creamy risotto… And it nests inside the large serving bowl for easy storage too. The interior glaze will be a rich glossy black/ brown glaze. Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

large serving bowl: 1 ordered / 1 sold

$135

This bowl is that one that you grab every time you have people over for dinner to fill up with a huge salad. Or you use to mix up a double batch of zucchini bread with zucchini that you just picked up from the farmer’s market. The medium sized bowl nests inside this bowl. The interior glaze will be a rich glossy black/ brown glaze. Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

fish platter: 1 ordered / 1 sold

$140

Okay, so it’s not going to look like this picture. But is’ going to be a long oval platter to fit a large fish (about 15″ long). The colors on the platter will match the dinnerware. Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

butter dish: 1 ordered / 1sold

$22

This butter dish perfectly fits a stick of butter and fits into the butter compartment on the door of the fridge. Just right for everyday use or fancy enough for a dinner party. Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

large platter: 1 ordered / 1 sold

$175

This large platter can be used for Thanksgiving dinner, filled with appetizers for a dinner party or a spread of sliced fruit for a weekend brunch. When it’s not in use, it has a wire on the back and can be hung on the wall. Microwave and dishwasher safe. (image to be updated soon)

Contact

Email:
emily@emilymurphy.com

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Snail Mail:
Emily Murphy
4401 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Studio 205 West
Chicago, IL 60640

Visit me at my studio (address above):
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details

Phone:
773.710.5149

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soda fired functional ceramics

About

artist statement

resume

I get lost in each piece that I make. When I’m throwing a piece nothing is more important than the gesture of the form. When I’m decorating the form, the mark of the brush carries the weight of the world. While the world fades away, I think about someone using the piece over time and continuously discovering different nuanced aspects of the form and surface. The movement of the throwing line, the boldness of a brushstroke or the juxtaposition of the raw clay and the gloss of the glaze. When a kiln is unloaded and rows of pots are lined up, it might look like they are simply multiples of a form. But when I am making them, the curve and movement of each piece is obsessed over. And after they are fired, each piece is completely one of a kind to me. The flow of the flame on the surface of the pot and the way that the subtitles of the form are enhanced by the firing process always inspires me.

I fell in love with clay in college at Earlham College. One of the things that drew me in so instantly with clay is that we mixed clay by hands, threw on the wheel, read Bernard Leach and fired kilns all in the first 2 weeks of class. This is also the thing that keeps me hooked. Design, chemistry, history, physics, manual labor, writing. I am fully engaged, challenged and continually excited by my craft.

I spend my days making pots in my studio at Lillstreet Studios in Chicago and writing about clay on my blog. Being a potter can be quite a solitary endeavor, but I have found myself working in a vibrant community of potters at Lillstreet Studios. There is always someone around when you’re having a trouble with a kiln, when you’re a little short on a glaze material or you’re in need of an impromptu critique. My clay community has further expanded since I’ve discovered an incredible international community of ceramic artists through my blog.