Clouds, stoneware

Studying the work and ideas of Kandinsky and Der Blaue Reiter, Elisa Kayser Eaton has been interested in expressing the spiritual in art.  Researching her family history (my grandfather was 1/2 Algonquian) led Elisa to the artwork and ideas of Native America from where she now draws her inspiration.

Eaton started pottery making as a small child, digging clay out of the brook behind her house and shaping crude bowls.  She continued from there taking pottery classes and workshops with many teachers including Barbara Diduk, Kim Dickey, and Grandmother Marsha.  Elisa’s BA from Dickinson College is in Fine Arts with a studio arts concentration in ceramics.

Elisa’s pots are hand built using the traditional methods of coiling, pinching and scraping.  The pots are then carved, sculpted and slip-decorated with designs inspired by the Northeastern designs of my ancestors as well as motifs of the Anasazi, Hohokam, Mimbres and other peoples of ancient America.

A member of Wesleyan Potters in Middletown CT since 1991, Eliza has had work in the Wesleyan Potters Gallery/Shop and Annual Exhibit and Sale. Her work is also exhibited in the Agonist, Fisher Gallery (FVAC), ACE, ArtWorks Gallery (Ware, MA), Canton Clayworks, Artwell Gallery, Epigee, Center Framing and Art, and Guilford Arts Center.