NMPCA  Clay

Studio Tour 

Merle derse

8 photo(s) Updated on: 07 Jul 2025
  • Raku pinch pot: 5 x 5 x 5
  • Horsehair Olla: Terra Sigillata finish with Mara's horsehair fired in a Raku kiln to 1850 F; 7 x 8 x 8
  • Cone 5/6 Rusty Red with Opal glaze; 8 x 5 x 5
  • Sapo (Amazonian Medicine Frog): Red Sculpture clay and Kelly Green & Shino glaze;
  • Merle throwing a large moon jar: Cone 5/6 Glossy white glaze; 10 x 9 x 9
  • Cone 5/6 Rusty Red glaze on NM Ochre clay; 10 x 9 x 9
  • Large salad bowl: Cone 5/6 Autumn Spice and Opal glaze; 5 x 10 x 10
  • Vase: Cone 5/6 Autumn Spice and Opal glaze; 9 x 5 x 5

Click image above to see larger view.

Statement

NMPCA artist Merle Derse, TaosMy fascination with ceramics started in 2004 at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA.  The studio was state of the art and we fired at cone 10.  I was also introduced to Raku, which has become a particular passion of mine.  I have used terra sigillata and horsehair on many of my vessels.  My work is functional and wheel thrown.  When we moved to Taos in 2014, I found my ceramic community at UNM Taos in 2015 and have continued there ever since.  In March of 2025 I attended NCECA in Salt Lake City, Utah and actually purchased my first Scutt kiln. This has definitely added a new dimension to my pottery.  Next on the list is a Raku kiln, which my husband and I will build together.

In 1972, we visited Safi, Morocco known as The City of Pottery on the Atlantic Coast.  Years later, my designs, on my pottery, were influenced by the ceramics we purchased in Safi.

Contact Information

email: merlederse@hotmail.com

phone: 575-218-8002


Gallery:  Harwood Museum gift store 

in Taos, NM , 238 Ledoux St.


Search:

ceramics, taos, functional, wheel-thrown,  raku, terra sigillata, horse hair, mid-range, cone 6.

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