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| Genie working on sculpture at Anderson Ranch in an Arthur Gonzalez' workshop |
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I grew up in a house full of art and music. My father, Don Frith, was head of ceramics at the University of Illinois, and my mother, Barbara Frith, was a professional painter. I was trained to be a violinist and music has served me well as a professional musician and a teacher. Music has also provided me with the financial means to pursue art, which I have done with a passion.
I have spent most of my summers at Alfred University in New York, attending their summer school program in ceramics. It has given me a chance to explore clay in its many genres. At Alfred I discovered my talents are much more excited by sculpture than simply functional work, and it is there that I can produce my large ceramic sculptures. My focus the rest of the year is on a much smaller scale.
I have always enjoyed the challenge of the teapot. People describe my teapots as "whimsical, expressive". I think of them each as precious sculptures in themselves. The giant figurative teapots are often inspired by people I work with, or my own pets, and I give them humorous titles, such as "Tea with Attitude", or "Teapet #1". There is often a narrative that accompanies each one also, such as "Vixie, the Foxy Squirrel Finally Got Married".... Functional and fun. My philosophy of life.
My interests are wide-ranging and richly eccentric. My pots reflect my curiosity and sense of humor. I hope my collectors enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed making them.
Eugenia Frith Meltzer
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