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View Larger + Michelle Phaneuf PHOTO: Michelle Phaneuf Collecting art can be an intimidating prospect, but not all artworks are created equal. Bringing a hand-made object into one’s home does not have to start with a painting or sculpture. Beautiful and usable ceramics are something everyone can utilize and enjoy, and they are a great place to begin for those new to purchasing artworks. Barrington resident Michelle Phaneuf is one of the area’s most energetic ceramic artists, creating hundreds of bowls, mugs, and vases by hand in her local studio.
Michelle Phaneuf PHOTO: Michelle Phaneuf
Phaneuf spent much of her career as a graphic designer before making the transition full-time to creating her hand-thrown ceramics. Speaking of this change in professional path, she says, “I made the change from graphic design to full-time potter gradually and consciously over a few years and watched where my income was coming in from. I created yearly goals before completely giving up my design clients. First my income split was 80/20 so the next year the goal was 70/30, then 50/50, then 25/75. The year it was 100% ceramics was amazing! I felt free and really proud of accomplishing that goal.”
When asked what she would tell others aiming to make such a switch, she says, “My advice for anyone looking to do a similar transition is plan, move slow, and celebrate each win.”
View Larger + PHOTO: Michelle Phaneuf
Phaneuf’s ceramic forms are notable for being refined and uncomplicated. They are hand-made artworks that can live within a domestic space. Designed to be useful and beautiful, they also incorporate recognizable images with ties to Rhode Island. These include local landmarks like Providence’s power plant, Narragansett’s towers, or even the Block Island Ferry. Each image is set against the backdrop of Phaneuf’s ceramics and combined with thoughtful glazes that set them off aesthetically.
Discussing the graphic element of her work, Phaneuf states, “The images I use in my work tend toward local, iconic buildings. Places that people know and love. If it can invoke a memory for someone and make them want to tell a story about that place and time, then I know I've done my job well.”
View Larger + PHOTO: Michelle Phaneuf
The thoughtfulness of Phaneuf’s practice sets her work in contrast against factory-made objects. Cheaply mass-produced housewares are so common and recognizable that they might be taken for granted. When utilizing a hand-thrown, locally crafted ceramic though, the user is taking part in the endgame of an extensive artistic process. From design and conception to throwing, glazing, and firing, Phaneuf’s investment of time and talent into the pieces she creates is considerable and imbues each object with a story and meaning of its own.
Her pieces can be found at a variety of local vendors, from Stock Culinary Goods and Craftland in Providence to Ohanga in Cranston’s Garden City, as well as at other sites in Bristol, Wickford, Jamestown, and Block Island. She also currently has work available at locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Speaking of what she hopes users take away from experiencing her work, Phaneuf says, “When a person reaches into the cabinet for a mug for their coffee or a bowl for a snack, it should make them happy and bring a smile to their face. Even though tableware is utilitarian, it can and should bring you joy.”
View Larger + PHOTO: Michelle Phaneuf
Phaneuf’s work is indeed joyful. Through her studio practice, she not only celebrates craft and the making of things, but also highlights local places that coalesce community around a shared sense of place and identity.
Looking forward, Phaneuf has a lot to be excited about. Having transitioned to work as a full-time ceramic artist, she is continuing to build her career as a craftsperson who is working hard to bring beautiful ceramic objects into homes throughout the region as well as further afield. Speaking of what she is up to next, she explains, “I have several shops that carry my work around the state and soon a shop in Michigan! I'm excited to break out of the New England region and bring teeny bowls across the country. I'm also thrilled to be in my 9th year as a member of the Foundry Artists Association with our holiday show coming up the first two weekends of December.”
For those looking to add an artful element to their homes, the ceramics of an artist like Michelle Phaneuf are a wonderful place to start. With so many choices in her line of offerings, followers can quickly collect a variety of pieces by Phaneuf before branching out to support other local artisans, too.
Learn more about Michelle Phaneuf at her website www.michellephaneufceramics.com, or on Instagram @michellephaneufceramics.
Michael Rose is a multi-talented fine art professional based in Southern New England. Since 2014 he has served as the gallery manager at the historic Providence Art Club, one of the nation’s oldest arts organizations. Through his current freelance work he advises collectors and artists, provides appraisal services, teaches, and completes curatorial projects.
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