Artist
Debra Evans-Paige
Biography
Debra Evans-Paige creates ceramic jewelry in her rural Minnesota home-studio. She received a BS in Art Education from Southwest Minnesota State University in 1991 with emphasis in ceramics and jewelry/metalsmithing. In 2006, she combined her interests of working with clay and making jewelry. Her one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces are composed of elements she hand-builds from porcelain that is often colored with stains. Her work is characterized by a sensitive and refined use of color, organic forms, and intricate textures inspired by nature. Evans-Paige regularly exhibits her ceramic jewelry and has won several awards. She is a three-time recipient of artist fellowships from the McKnight Foundation. Debra Evans-Paige’s artwork is published in Bead & Button Magazine and several books, including Lark Books’ 500 series: Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry and 1000 Beads; and The Beader’s Guide to Jewelry Design.
Artist Statement
My areas of focus as a visual artist are hand-building with ceramic clay and creating jewelry. My one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces are composed of elements I create from porcelain. They are characterized by organic forms and intricate textures inspired by nature, particularly coral, shells, and pods. I am intrigued by the repetition of patterns of growth and texture that abound on the micro and macro levels in the natural world.
The pinch technique that I use is a tranquil and meditative process. The spirit of the form evolves as I work intuitively. When the form is complete, I often elaborately texture and pattern the clay surface. The color of the nature-inspired components is an inherent part of the porcelain with the colorants integrated into the clay body. By using a variety of firing methods, oxidation, reduction, and soda, the surface of the clay is further enhanced. Similar to nature, the construction of my jewelry involves repetition as I combine individual elements and integrate them into a more complex whole.
My desire is for these vehicles of communication to become a vital and integral part of one’s daily life as the jewelry pieces are intimately worn on the body. My jewelry serves as a portable means of artistic expression carried into public view by its wearing. It is also my intention to cause viewers to pause and contemplate the beauty of the natural world.