Melissa Swope

Throwing on the Wheel

If you scroll one image over, this piece became the red vase in the back.

First pots in Chapel Hill!

One of my favorite red color glazes called Sangria

Getting busy!

Many of these piece's finished versions are in this gallery as well!

Buff Budda

(as my brother fondly named him) This piece was my first attempt at learning human anatomy in sculpture.

Mother

For my second attempt at human form sculpture, I practiced with the face of the woman who would love me no matter what.

Horse Hair

This raku piece has an extremely difficult (and smelly) firing technique. It is pulled from a kiln at 1700 degrees F, placed on open concrete, and marked with burning horsehair for a span of 8 seconds when the surface temperature is just right. (Ask me more about the technique, I love talking about it)

Changing Seasons

When the cup is placed on the platter, it looks like a single desolate tree with one lonesome, resting crow. But when you lift the cup, a springtime bluebird appears.

Henna Mugs

I used my experience with henna designs to decorate this mug set.

Piggy Banks

These are just two of countless piggy banks in my collection, all different colors, shapes, and sizes. I have made customized ones for grandchildren and even a Doctor Who pig for a dedicated fan.

Eleph-Art

This elephant artist is one of my other animals that I have made into coin banks. Others include ducks, chickens, bulls, and cows.

Favorite Glaze Job

Wish I could remember the glaze combination again, but it would be fun to try to recreate.

Music Vases

Sgraffito mugs with musical staffs and notes circling their surfaces. The indentions make the perfect, mug, vase, or pencil cup.

Small Oil Pitcher

Another great piece inspired by teachers at The Arts Center in Carrboro, NC.

Jar

This Jar was just sent to one of my good friends in NYC!

Vases

Bowls

The design was created by several glaze layers and a waxing technique.

Cover Me in Music Piggy Banks

This Black Raven clay body was my favorite to show off. The piggy banks look like they are happily covered in a colorful layer of mud with music staffs escaping from the edges.

Rest

I gave many of these musical piggy banks to many of my friends in band to encourage them to keep music in their lives.

Clef Mugs

Featuring the bass and treble clefs of music.

Music Mugs

With words written on the sides in musical symbols.