Collection: Brooke Millecchia

Artist Statement:  The majority of my pots are wheel thrown and altered functional forms with applied surface decoration.  Though I start with a standard thrown form, I manipulate the piece to add edges, corners, and angles.  The newly formed regions become the boundary lines where patterns are made.  I use found objects, handmade brushes, and other tools to create these often symmetrical spaces.  Before firing, I methodically apply a bold, but warm color palette.  Through this process, each final product has its own unique visual character, sometimes even taking on an overall look more akin to leather or metal than ceramic.                                                                                

I’m fascinated by patterns, symmetrical geometry, and the natural repetition that surrounds us. The process of creating similar aspects in my work is the highlight in each piece.  My method involves intuitively making decisions about the state of the work; I design the surface while I'm working, as decision making in the moment calms me. I am meticulous in my work; I delight in being diligent about its craftsmanship and its own unique life, regardless of whether or not it will appeal to the masses.  I believe that through these altered forms and visual patterns, something is communicated that cannot be expressed in words, and I ultimately hope that others enjoy that experience.

Bio: After earning her BFA in ceramics (1995) from West Virginia University (and while she and her husband were raising their family) Brooke worked avidly in her home studio. In 2004, she began teaching at numerous craft schools in Upstate NY and served as an adjunct professor at Nazareth College. She is currently an ongoing Artist in Residence at Fairport High School where she mentors advanced students with artistic careers in mind.