PENNY RINAS
CLAY ARTIST
“From Mud Pies to Masterpieces: The Joy of Clay”
Artist Statement
I was always the mud pie girl in our family so it seemed like an easy transition into clay in my late 40’s. Wish I had started with clay in my 20’s… It’s such a great medium. I took my first throwing class after a couple of years of hand-building and I was hooked.
We had lots of instructors come to teach at our club. I took as many classes as I could. I learn from instructors like Brenda Danbrook, Les Manning, Katy Drijber, Sarah Pike and many others. The learning curve was huge but always gave me that one pot that made me strive for more.
The latest class I took was at MISSA in Victoria, with Sunshine Cobb…hand-building… hmmm, back where I started! I also taught hand-building and beginners throwing at our club. Where I was the president there for several years. These classes are coupled with the 10,000 hours it takes to hone a skill. Brings me to where I am today. Not a production potter but someone who loves the process and is always looking for new ideas and is willing to try new projects…Onward!!!
Artistic Style
Penny Rinas’ Explorative Earthworks style highlights the artist’s journey from humble beginnings with clay to a refined practice enriched by continuous learning and experimentation. It reflects a deep passion for both traditional and innovative pottery techniques, emphasizing a blend of hand-built and thrown forms. The artworks are characterized by their unique textures, experimental glazes, and an inherent sense of discovery and personal growth. This style celebrates the tactile and transformative nature of clay, showcasing pieces that are both functional and artistically expressive.
