Our Meet the Member interview for March is Vickie Morrow. The Las Cruces ceramic artist was the first person to join this year's Celebration of Clay happening in Silver City. It is fitting that her interview be up as that show starts.
How did you first get interested in clay?
Always loved pottery. I collected pottery from New Mexico and from travels in the USA and all over the world. In 2003 my mother asked me if I wanted her kiln when she was dying. I said "Yes. I want to make my own tile for my kitchen."
Photo contributed by the artist.
Describe your studio.
The main part of my studio is 20x14. At the back is a ten-foot standing height work table under a high window. Each side of the studio has shelves filled with miscellaneous wood pieces, metal treasures and supplies and tools. In the center is a seven-foot work table where I can sit or stand to work look out the sliding glass door into my back yard and gaze at the Organ mountains. I like to say, "I bought a studio with a house attached."
A small adjacent room has my slab roller, glazes, forms, patterns, textures and clay tools.
A second adjacent room has my bead collection and handmade parts for my mosaics and assemblages. Hundreds of beads from all over the world, garage and estate sales and the many, many clay beads and buttons and medallions I have made. Copper wire and sheeting, mixed patina formulas and finished copper "parts", leather cord, books and papers with two work tables.
Photos contributed by the artist.
Describe your “work.”
By 2008 I was confident enough to pursue handmade tile mosaic residential installations and Commercial and Public Art installations. From 2008 until 2018 I did kitchen and bathroom handmade tile installations and did commercial and public art installations. All of this work was made in my studio in Scottsdale. AZ and installed in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Sedona and the Ak Chin Reservation, all in Arizona.
Each of these projects was sixteen steps from the 25-pound block of clay, cut out, in and out of the kiln a couple times glazed, assembled, set, grouted, transported, installed, finished and polished and the mess cleaned up.
Lots of heavy work.
Now my handmade tile mosaics are for my own home or as a group project.
My current work is mixed media Assemblage art. My work is from 4x4 inches to no larger than 24x30 inches.
There are usually handmade tiles in the assemblage or they are the "star" of the art piece.
Photo contributed by the artist.
Describe any work you do that promotes “clay community."
I participate in Empty Bowls in Las Cruces. In 2024 I led a group to do an outdoor handmade tile mosaic 9' x 14' for the "Healing Wings" Project installed at the Agave Artists Gallery Garden in Mesilla. Six Las Cruces Potters Guild members worked with me and can now do their own installations.
When you are not working in your studio, what do you enjoy?
Working in my backyard, visiting with friends and reading.
Do you play music in your studio? If yes, what do you listen to?
My studio is quiet. I can hear the birds outside.
What other pottery do you have in your home?
As stated above, I have a nice collection of pottery from all over. Most of it is practical and use it every day. Some is hung on walls and I have an "Art Niche" with works on display.
What caused you to join NMPCA? Describe involvement with NMPCA, and how many years you have been involved.
I am a new member to NMPCA. My first introduction to the organization was when we applied and were the recipient for your grant in 2021 for our Healing Wings Project. With attention to Southern New Mexico and the NMPCA show in Silver City, it was time to participate.
For more info, visit https://agaveartists.com/vickie-morrow
