Trish Dean
I was born and raised on the island of Trinidad in the West Indies. Needless to say I spent countless days playing on beaches where the sand became the first medium in my creative process. I can remember spending hours on end as a young child creating elaborate sand castles and doodling in the sand with “sea pens”, which were some mystery piece of vegetation that washed up on the beaches from who knows where! I would add seawater to the sand so that it would be the perfect consistency for building and carving.
Creativity has always been a part of my life, but never quite found my niche until I discovered the wonderful medium of clay. My husband had recently passed away and I was desperately searching for something to be passionate about. I discovered a pottery shop that offered wheel lessons, and immediately signed up. From the moment I put my hands around my first “lump” I was hooked! My childhood memories of playing in the sand came flooding back. What wonderful therapy!
My work has evolved over the years, from mostly functional pieces to my real love of hand-carved and embellished surface design. I find that creating texture gives each piece a unique quality, whether hand-built or wheel-thrown. Working with clay has brought such joy and balance to my life. It has helped me weather quite a few storms, and continues to give me the opportunity for growth and stimulation. The learning process never ends…
