Lynda Farmer

NOTE: CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR UPDATES!

My earliest memory of playing with dirt, was as a child playing with wet, goopy mud. I loved to scoop the mud into a blob, then pat, pat, pat it until the water came to the surface and it was shiny and smooth. I didn’t care that I got filthy, I was having fun! Here I am MANY years later, still playing in the dirt, not caring if I get filthy, and having more fun than I’d ever dreamed. I don’t have a studio at home, so I do most of my clay artwork in the Benton Center at Linn Benton Community College. I have been both a student and Instructional Assistant there for approximately ten years.

If you ask people who know me “What kind of work does Lynda do?”, they’d be hard put to select just one thing. I enjoy making functional as well as non-functional pieces. I don’t mind working small, but I adore making BIG things and aspire to go even larger. I create work for Raku, Cone 10, Cone 6, and Woodfire. I love them all, but my attachment to the folks at Digger Mountain Anagama (owner-Jay Widmer), makes the wood fire experience my favorite of all.  Most of the things I make come to live at my house with me. There’s something about living with your artwork that is immensely satisfying. However, every now and then I show and/or sell a few pieces, which is kind of validating. The community of clay artists is a special one, no matter where you go. Together, we encourage, inspire, problem-solve, create, smash up, and propel each other into stretching our boundaries, letting go of expectations, and enjoying the journey. We share our ideas, our techniques, our formulas, and…our tools, with each other freely, knowing we don’t “own” anything…it’s ALL a gift. Yep, we’re a special group, and I’m proud to be part of it. Below is a sampling of my work. I’m not inclined to spending a lot of time on my computer fiddling around with details. But I’ll try to provide a brief description of each photo, so you’ll know the firing technique at least. All are hand built, mostly from slabs. Enjoy the photos, and give me your input. I’m always happy to hear constructive ideas.

  This is a set of salt and pepper cellars for the tabletop. They and their tiny spoon sit nestled in a bed of dried herbs in the cradle shaped tray.

Woodfired BasketThis is the first of a new series of woodfired baskets with textured surfaces. Woodfired Pillow Box with Equisedum MarksThis is what is commonly known as a "Pillow Box". It is a beautful wall piece, a work of art in itself. This particular pillow box showcases the flame path around wadding, as well as the image of a delicate piece of Equisedum. Woodfired. Approx. 7" sq. x 1.25" d Woodfired "Log" Wall Sculpture

Woodfired "Log" Wall Sculpture

This piece was great fun to make. I hand tossed a large slab, straight out of the pug mill (so it had tons of texture). Then I formed it in to a cylindrical shape to mimic a log in the forest. Woodfired. 

Porcelain Garlic Keeper

Porcelain Garlic KeeperThis is a garlic keeper I made for my husband. Hand sculpted and woodfired. Woodfired Basket

 

Set of three large woodfired baskets

More baskets! I’m enjoying making each of these. Every one is different. This set of three baskets is quite large and together are a strong presence. All woodfired.

Large Woodfired Vessel

Another large piece. This was crafted using slab strips of various hues of clay (black, dk. brown, and white) and makes a bold statement all alone. I’m exploring going even larger with this form. Woodfired.

Left handle detail

Detail of the above vessel.

Southwest Inspired Figurative Vessels

Last year we went to some of the Nation’s most beautiful National Parks and Monuments…I was inspired! Please enjoy my interpretation of Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, and Canyon deChelly. There’s even little “cliff dwellings” in the Canyon deChelly vase! All woodfired.

Large Wheat Impressed Woodfired Vase

I have just begun a series of baskets and vases with textured surfaces. One that I am enjoying is using custom made stamps (from Nature’s bounty) to make an impression (wheat, in this case) on the surface. This one came out exceptionally nice. Woodfired.

Detail of wheat impression

Here’s a close up of the wheat impression on the above vase.

Woodfired Cannister Set

I made this set of cannisters for my friend’s newly remodled kitchen. They look great on the warm toned granite countertop! All woodfired.

  Cone 6 pair of cannisters. I used colored slips on the leaves and black underglaze on the details. Note: The black underglaze contained zinc, which (in cone 6 reduction) caused it go dark brownish. Not what I was going for, but I don’t dislike it. So if you’re wanting black, check your underglaze label and get the non-zinc kind.

Rattle Series #1

I had fun making these rattles, and learned a lot. The big one on the left is about 4″ dia., modeled after a pod. Fired to cone 10. Iron oxide stain. It sounds really good. The acorn was also Cone 10, iron oxide and rutile stains. It doesn’t sound too great. I think the size of the pellets inside were too big for such a small void. The pillow was woodfired porcelain, and sounds surprisingly “tinkly”. Very nice. And the bunny…he’s so sweet, but again, doesn’t sound great (pellet size again). I want to explore rattle making further and figure it out (ratio of pellet size vs. void).

Raku Fired Large Billowy Pot (illuminated)

A friend and I got carried away with pinchpots last year. We both started with the technique of wrapping yarn around a ball of clay, then bulging out the pinched wells in between the yarn. This was one large ball of clay, no add ons. Although my friend and I began with the same inspiration, our work went in two completely different directions. It was fun though! In this photo, I put two tealights inside the pot, to accentuate the wells.

Wood Fired Spice Pinchbowls in Tray

I plan to put this piece in the Showcase Gallery. I’ve used it at home as a tray to hold salad condiments (i.e. nuts, onions, feta, etc.) when we have several guests who only want certain things on their salad. While that was a functional use of this piece, I much more enjoy it on my mantle illuminated with tealights! Me and candles…

Woodfired Reed Wall sconce

This is a rather large sconce. Suitable for flowers or again…a candle! When used in this manner, it casts the lovliest uplight against the wall. Love it!

Woodfired Sugar, Salt, and Pepper in Braille

These are fun! Sugar cannister and salt & pepper shakers with the letters in Braille. I don’t know anyone who reads Braille, but I really do like the look of it here.

Woodfired Wall Sconce

Another large wall sconce.