The artist of the month for July is Trish Salmon from Canton, NC. I was introduced to her work through Odyssey Ceramic Arts in Asheville, and was immediately captivated by her ability to incorporate unique textures within her work and her lovely sense of humor- her "Fat Ballerina" sculpture and "Fool in Contemplation" head planter make me smile every time I see them. 

"I am attracted to clay and all that it can do. It is the bowl we eat from, the cup we drink from, the plate we serve with. It is a personal object that is used day to day. Clay is displayed on the wall like a painting or as a freestanding sculpture. The world of tiles and architectural ceramics enhance our environment through its beauty and durability. The surfaces offer infinite possibilities. I love creating work with wonderful texture and color whether it has a designated function or whose function is purely aesthetic. I am at heart, a hand builder. I do sculptural work which is sometimes figurative, abstract, or a combination of both. I prefer natural looking surfaces which are layered and multi-fired. The use of a hand crafted item is a different experience than the use of a manufactured item." Artist, Trish Salmon