Norcross Arts Fest: Celeste Theodore

Ceramic artist Celeste Theodore is a second-year Norcross Art Fest vendor from Florida. We asked her a few questions before the festival on how she creates her pieces and what influenced her to get into ceramics.

Under what genre is your art classified as?

Ceramic/sculptural.

How would you describe your art to a complete stranger?

I use low-fire white earthenware. I use under-glazes in all different colors to paint my designs and then finish my pieces with a clear over-glaze. I vacillate between floral themes and tropical settings. A lot of my pieces have hand-built adornments such as stylized flowers, mermaids, octopi, fish and even whimsical little snails and butterflies.  My pottery is unique because of the bright colors and details.

How long have you been producing art?

For a couple of decades.

How did you first get started in art?

I started learning ceramics when I was 25. I wanted to take a jewelry class at the local community college, but it was full. So I decided to take a ceramics class. I fell in love with it, and I never took that jewelry class. After a few semesters at the college, I had learned everything that I could and decided to seek out a professional potter with whom I could apprentice. I found one in downtown Chicago, and [I] apprenticed for two years, learning the business. I practiced throwing, hand building, glaze calculation and how to run a gallery. As a young woman I enjoyed the art scene that downtown Chicago had to offer such as exhibit openings, SOFA and Lil Street Pottery. If I didn’t truly love working with clay, the infatuation with the artwork would have worn off; instead, it has gotten worse.

Who are your art heroes?

I love Lucie Rie. She is an amazing woman with a great story.

What inspires you?

I think that the world is a unique combination of creators and collectors, and in God’s infinite wisdom I fell into the former category. I started that day in class and put my hands in the clay, and it was amazing. It is something that flows out of me, and I don’t know what I would do if I could not use my hands to make things. I also have a desire to master the techniques that I use or even conjure up. I cannot precisely put my finger on what inspires me. You could look at my pottery and tell me what you see, and that it is nature of sorts that is the inspiration. However, it simply flows.

Do you have a website?

www.TheBohemianMushroom.com.

Where do you live?

I moved to Fort Myers, Fla., in 2001. This is home base, but one day I want to hook up a trailer and travel with my art all over the country.

Are you a full-time artist, or do you have another occupation?

I work full-time [with] my art, sometimes all week.

How many times has your art been featured in the Norcross Arts Fest?

This will be my second year.