A Kansas City native, Jean’s career as an accomplished interior designer spanned 35 years, creating and installing both residential and commercial projects from Boca Raton to Bermuda. Closing her Asheville business, Greeson & Fast Design in 2019, Jean began pursuing her life-long interest in sculpting full time.
The daughter of a Hallmark Cards executive, Jean’s exposure to imaginative and compelling artistry began at an early age. From sewing doll clothes to crafting Christmas ornaments, the transition to sculpting in clay was a natural progression. Today, many of her ceramic sculptures are whimsical animals, inspired by her love of furry creatures and her work with pets. In fact, she has been active in greyhound rescue, fostering litters of kittens, trapping feral cats, and is currently serving Henderson County’s Blue Ridge Humane Society as board secretary.
Largely self-taught, Jean has participated in workshops and classes both locally and out of state to hone her craft. Her hand-building skills employ an assortment of techniques using different clay compositions, and she occasionally incorporates actual antiques in her work to add humor and surprise. For four years, pictures of her “critters” have graced banners promoting the arts on Hendersonville’s Main Street, the most recent in front of the Visitor Center.
Jean has her own dedicated studio and kiln at her Hendersonville home. She was one of the unfortunate artists to lose a rather extensive display at Asheville’s Marquee Gallery when flood waters flushed the entire building. But she is also one of the artists selected to have her work featured in the recently published book, “The Flood Collection,” showcasing the work of artists who lost their original works during Hurricane Helene.
I have been intrigued with organic qualities in clay from a young age. Trying to inject a living and dancing quality into the clay has been a goal of mine for a very long time. I use “Slung Slabs” on collar areas of vessels, ears, or beaks on my animals. Using “Slung Slabs” stretches and infuses pieces with a permanent sense of movement. Continue reading “Janet Leazenby”
My interest in art began with stained glass and acrylic painting. It wasn’t until I took a wheel-throwing course that I fell in love with creating in clay. I continued to develop my abilities for several years, working under the respected and talented sculptor, Rosalia Riera. Nature inspires me and my love of wildlife has given me endless sources for expression in my clay work. I let the clay tell me what it wants to become. Continue reading “Nancy Rosenthal”
I was born loving mud – making pies from mud, wading creeks with mud squishing between my toes, and finally making my own creations from clay. My love of pottery has a long history. Collecting pottery on trips in the U.S., South America, and Europe were vacation highlights, and opportunities to observe potters at work mesmerized me. One magical day a potter observed my keen interest, and invited me to make a pot; my love of collecting pottery was transformed into a passion for making pottery.
Following my retirement as a store owner, my husband and I were free to move to our property in Balsam Grove. There Sitting Rock Studio was born, named after a special place along our stream where my son built my sitting rock. I find many moments of inspiration there as I listen to the sounds of the forest and immerse myself in its beauty.
Not surprisingly, much of my pottery is inspired by the beauty of the Appalachian forests, rocks, and waterfalls. Texture is a dominant feature in my work. My tools range from the forest flora to vintage lace to the everyday objects that disappear from our home! Earth tones are prevalent in my pottery, but experimentation in many glaze combinations brings me great satisfaction as well. I hold adventurous learning in high regard and it is not uncommon for new designs to appear in my pottery selection.
Making pottery brings me great joy. My hope is that when you hold something I’ve made, you will also feel that joy.
