Nature’s Repeated Patterns by Heather Delisle

Ceramic artist, Heather Delisle, draws inspiration from nature as she replicates textures and patterns of the natural world in her handmade ceramic tiles and decorative sculptures. Delisle carefully selects and prunes cedar branches which are pressed into handmade tiles. The tiles are once fired and cold-finished with acrylics which enhance the beauty of the imprint. Delisle also incorporates her interest in arranging modules to produce sculptures reflecting nature’s repeated patterns. Wall-hung and balanced ceramic spheres are wheel-thrown and kiln fired before receiving the final surface treatment. They are finished in a sawdust firing which gives each sphere a unique carbon imprint from the organic material burned on its surface. Currently some spheres are also receiving a cold-finish with acrylics which adds a splash of color to her installations.

Growing up in the hills of Pennsylvania, Heather Delisle was always surrounded by the beauty of nature. Being the daughter of a master timber framer and wood worker taught her the importance of art and of finding the beauty in the fine details. In 1996, Delisle received a BA in studio art with an emphasis in ceramics from Berea College. Currently working in her Hillsborough, North Carolina studio, Delisle creates her handmade ceramic tiles and decorative sculptures which invite viewers to contemplate the infinite variations in the patterns and textures of the natural world.

Visit Heather’s website for examples of her work.

Visit the OCAG website to see the work of others in the guild.