Hello! My name is Karen Fiorino, and as a majolica pottery artist with over 25 years of experience.
Working with clay is a lot like learning to dance. It’s a process of understanding the rhythms of the clay itself and the role that the environment plays in shaping the new creation.
My aim is to evoke a sense of playfulness and wonder in my audience, reminding them of the beauty and magic in the world around them. My pieces are not just functional pottery but works of art that bring joy and happiness to the people who use them.
You can find Karen’s pottery on her webshop as well as Etsy, Facebook, Instagram and Red Bubble
Clay Lick Creek is a short creek in the Shawnee Forest, a tributary into Cedar Lake. It gets its name from its abundance of clay deposits. The “Lick” part in the name comes from the fact that animals seek out the deposits in the clay to get minerals that they need in their diet. The creek runs through our property, which we bought before I became a potter; the name just made sense. Clay Lick Creek Pottery and Karens various designs have sold over 6,800 items on Etsy!
What are you passionate about? I really enjoy being able to add that little bit of joy, that little bright spot, to the lives of others. Just the other day, someone wrote to me and said, “I was feeling sick the other day, and I ate some soup from one of your bowls, and it made me feel better.” I get chills just thinking about it!
In the back of my mind, I know that I am creating something full of life, something that can bring pleasure and joyfulness to another person. I put my heart into what I do! Channeling personal experiences of joy, passion, humor, and wonder. I let those things flow through me, and into the clay and the design. So the idea is that I put part of myself into every piece, giving it a life of its own.
What motivates you? Every morning before heading to the studio, I take a half-mile walk in the woods with my dogs, taking the long way to the studio rather than just walking across from the house. During the walk, I check out the various plants along the way, stopping here and there to take photos and get inspired by various things I see, plants, animals, minerals and natural textures, to take with me into the studio. But, first, once I get to the studio, I need to feed and let the chickens loose into their yard!
I’ve raised chickens for over 30 years now, and over that time, I’ve noticed how some chickens are nicer, and some are just terrors. They all have personalities, and in the past, depending on what the chicken did or looked like or where we found it.
Currently, the only one that has a “name” is the white feather-footed hen, which is a town rescue we were given in 2018. Her name is “Townie,” and she had to relearn what it was to be a chicken as, in town, she had such a small coop living space. I don’t think she even lays eggs anymore, but she’ll just live the rest of her life out here.
Do you have any limiting beliefs? One of my fears is that I will run out of designs to do and it is an emotion that happens in my head almost every beginning of the year, although which may be one of my strengths is that I do come up with something else and when I look back over the many designs I have made, I am sometimes amazed, saying to myself, “I did that ?!? Wow!” Not even recognizing that I made it.
What do you find exciting at the moment? The transformation of our woods, from a place that was overrun with non-native invasive plants into one that is more diverse forest. I have always enjoyed the natural world and have a formal education in Zooogy.
My husband and I have worked together with a forest plan developed by a forest manager and have, in the past couple of years, made such a transformation that I can look out into the forest and feel such beauty and accomplishment – it feels very happy. I do find different organisms for inspiration while being so close to the ground, pulling invasives.
Many native plants have come back, creating healthy populations, which in turn give food and shelter to diverse micro and macro animals.
The paradox of my somewhat secluded life in the forest is that my pieces are now out there all over the world. And since I have been creating pottery for over 16 years, the network of people reached has become quite expansive! It is great.
“Majolica pottery, originating in the 9th century Middle East, began as an attempt by local artists to replicate the porcelain from China by applying a tin-based white glaze onto earthenware. Spanish missionaries introduced the technique to Mexico, where it evolved into Talavera ware, influencing the pottery traditions that persist today, including the widespread reference to my own work in the United States. In my artistic practice, I employ a red earthenware clay body to infuse warmth into the white base of the Majolica glaze. “
Do you have a recipe that you would like to share?
Egg Frittata Recipe
A hearty egg frittata packed with fresh vegetables and creamy feta cheese. For the ultimate frittata use eggs straight from your own backyard hens!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (any color)
- 2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 10-12 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Sriracha sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat.
3. Sauté 1/2 cup chopped onion and 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers for 5-7 minutes, or until softened.
3. Add the potatoes and cook for 10-12 minutes or until translucent, stirring occasionally.
4. Turn off heat and pour in the beaten eggs, seasoned with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Top with 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese.
5. Bake frittata for 30-35 minutes or until set and golden brown on top.
Remove from oven, cut into wedges and serve with a drizzle of sriracha sauce.
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