Patricia Collins
Saratoga Springs, NY
My love for working with clay began while studying graphic design at the University of West
Chester in Pennsylvania. I later continued my studies in ceramics at Skidmore College in
Saratoga Springs, New York.
My work as a ceramic artist is inspired by my love of the natural beauty of the Southwest. My
vessels are formed by combining the modern technique of wheel throwing with the traditional
technique of coil building.
The raku vessels are first glazed, and then fired at a relatively low temperature. They are
removed from the kiln while red hot and placed into a container of combustible materials. The
materials ignite and cause a reaction that creates colors and patterns on the surface of the
vessel.
Seeing the results of the raku firing after the vessels cool is exciting because there is always an
unpredictable and beautiful surprise!