The process: My pieces in the cairn series are constructed by pinch, coil, and slab construction. I layer many different colors of underglazes and my designs are done in sgraffito into the clay. Once fired, I wet sand the pieces to reveal the multiple layers of colors. Sometimes I draw onto the fired pieces with underglaze pencils and then fire again with a clear glaze.
Terri Scheid began her career as a ceramic artist as a young girl in the backyard of her family’s southern Ohio home: she mined her own clay from the veins (of clay) found in the mud after a heavy rain, pinched some pots, and baked them on top of the shed in the hot summer sun. Unfortunately, none of her early work has survived.
Upon earning a B.F.A. with a ceramics concentration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, Terri’s adventurous spirit eventually brought her out West to Utah. The sheer magnificence of the West and a SCUBA trip to Cozumel inspired her next series of ceramic sculptural vessels. She exhibited and sold her work at regional shows and galleries. While making her ceramic art at a cooperative pottery in Utah, she was given the opportunity to be an instructor at one of the evening classes offered at the studio. It was there that Terri unexpectedly discovered another life’s calling: teaching.
Beginning a new chapter in her life, Terri moved to San Francisco where she earned her California teaching credential at SFSU. She is a National Board Certified Art Teacher and has been teaching art in San Francisco public elementary schools since 2004. While teaching full time and starting a family, Terri took a break from her ceramic work to experiment in mixed media basketry. She has exhibited her basketry in several Bay Area shows, and one of her pieces is part of the permanent collection at Ruth’s Table in San Francisco.
Eventually, Terri returned to her roots in clay. She also returned to her backyard where she has a teeny tiny studio in the hills east of the San Francisco.
Why Cairns?
When I haven’t touched clay for awhile and feel lost as to where to begin, I’ll set to work at my potter’s wheel. It’s there where ideas start to flow.
