Deborah Maxwell

Her original vision for Red Mudd Studio began with looking between the lines of art and sculptural pottery. The process of pottery requires that one maintain an open mind and sense of humor. Clay has become her passion. She discovered sharing this passion, which some call an obsession, gives her a euphoric sense, and just has much as creating an original work of art.

At three years old, Deborah’s mom gifted her, her first box of 64-count Crayons, the one with a sharpener on back of the box. From that colorful beginning a logical progression of colored pencils, markers, paints and art lessons came shortly afterwards. Her education includes an Associates Degree from St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, Michigan and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Kendall College of Art and Design located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“Currently I have been experimenting with non-functional sculpture vessels including altered pieces and pit firing.” Glaze is not used in the pit fire process. Chemicals are added to the firing process to achieve beautiful works of art. “It is hard to explain the culmination of placing a naked piece of clay into the fire and achieving utopia. Even today, the crayon sharpener reminds me to develop, analyze and implement purpose into my clay work, and to continue to sharpen my skills at many levels.”
The pit-fired vase pictured has been selected for installation in the residence of Governor Jennifer Granholm as part of the Governor’s Residence Michigan Artist Program. Nearly 400 individual works were initially considered by selection committees involved with the program. Works by 31 artists have been installed. The vase will be on display in the library of the residence through July 2008.
Red Mudd Studio opened in 2005 with original functional, pit-fired and raku pottery. In the fall of each year, Deborah hosts a huge Open House, which features approximately 10 guest artists. Jewelry, oils, watercolors, mixed media and ceramic pottery is for sale at this well attended two-day event. Girl’s Night Out and wheel thrown classes are available at her studio. You can see her work at several galleries and shops across Michigan. Deborah’s work has been selected to national and international shows. Most recently her work was accepted by the Orton Cone Box Show which will open at the”Confluence: Innovation, Community, Environment”, conference for the National Council on Education for Ceramic Arts in Pittsburg, PA, March 19-22, 2008.
For more information, please visit redmuddcreations.com or contact her at .