Like any artist, Helen Prior brainstorms in drafts before finalizing a project. Instead of sketching ideas for fabric patterns and prints on paper or online, however, Prior carves her thoughts into clay. At her aptly named studio Clay to Cloth, she perfects her designs in the creation of ceramic and, from there, translates her work onto fabric, wallcoverings, and more. With a background in fashion design, Prior decided to broaden her artistic outreach by incorporating a pottery affinity into print work, resulting in a range of subtle, applicable designs. Introducing this week’s Maker Monday, Helen Prior.
Prior often uses flowers as the center of her designs, layering petals and leaves in thin strokes to evoke shadow and mass.
Andrew Joseph: You’re the newest Crayola color. What color are you and why?
It’s always hard to narrow down to one color when there are so many beauties to choose from. The palette I am using at the moment is soft colors and neutrals with an unexpected touch of bright color. Many of the colors I use throughout my work originate from the clay and glazes I use. My very favorite at the moment is Celadon a traditional Chinese glaze that was created to emulate jade. It is a soft green with a little grey but it still has brightness to it. It feels new and interesting right now.
Andrew: What would you like to be remembered for?
Not following the crowd, creating new things by pushing the limits of my work.
Prior’s designs focus on subtle tones, using brighter colors as accents or backgrounds to a focal point.
Andrew: If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why?
I would be my dog Ziggy. He has the best time running around, doing doggy things, then sleeps blissfully for hours on my bed.
Andrew: What’s your design pet peeve?
All-white kitchens. They make me nervous – all that blank space! Have a little fun, people – add some color, texture, art, if all that is too much at least throw in a bit of wood – please!
Andrew: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
My Superpower would be teleporting. I would zap around the world visiting friends and family. Hopefully, I wouldn’t get too annoying dropping in on people.
The mediums of patterns like Scale Balance and Beautiful Geometry range from ceramic bowls to fabric to wallpaper.
Andrew: How do you define beauty?
Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder – it is anything that makes your heart sing.
Andrew: What would your dream project be?
I would love to collaborate on a boutique hotel. I love hotels that have their own personality and sense of place. It would be a wonderful chance to showcase all the different aspects of my work including fabrics and wallpapers as well as my ceramics and my decorative furniture. I would love to create a charming and comfortable space.
Andrew: What advice would you give your teenage self?
Everything changes – good and especially bad – nothing stays the same.
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