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Since her studies in biology exposed her to the wonders of the natural world, potter Sarah Burns finds the "things growing around us" to be particularly fascinating. It is appropriate that Burns finds much of her inspiration in nature as, like the clay she works with, it is constantly evolving.

Burns has an unusual background for an artist: she attended the University of New Hampshire as a biology student. But during the summer of her sophomore year, Burns took an apprenticeship with a potter in New Hampshire and immediately fell in love with the craft. "Instinctively I knew I could connect with it," Burns says. So she made the "haphazard choice" to switch gears, from budding scientist to full-time artist.

Her pottery is at once graceful and strong, evoking the beauty of nature while paying tribute to the consummate skill of a well-trained craftsperson. Burns uses soda ash in the kiln to give her pottery a unique finish. The ash produces an irregular effect on each piece, and no two ever come out the same. Her functional pieces, such as mugs and teapots, range from modern architectural forms to soft, sensuous shapes that seem like ancient artifacts. Her vessels look as though they were crafted out of the most delicate petals, tinted with subtle washes of color, or embellished with curling tendrils.

Buts Burns stresses that it is important for her to be observant of anything interesting, not just nature, as inspiration "comes from a lot of different directions." From other works of art to fashion design, Burns can see creative potential in almost anything. Her sculptures, "start off as these little seeds and then they grow," she explains. All it takes is something to catch her eye.

Burns also feeds off of the creative feedback from other potters and craftspeople. She finds the interaction between people an important part of her work. As a member of the New Hampshire Potter's Guild, League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, and Board of Directors of North Country Studio Workshops, Burns cultivates relationships with artists of many kinds.

The exchanges that take place between Burns and fellow potters also help to inform and inspire her work. "It's amazing what can evolve from a conversation," she says.

Of course, inspiration is not always so easy to come by. Because Burns is both a functional and sculptural potter, she is able to shift focus if the need occurs. "If I get stuck in one area, I have the opportunity to move in another direction," she says.

But one thing is constant, and that is Burns' love for what she does. Even after working with clay for nearly 12 years, Burns still relishes the unpredictability of working with clay. "You can't help but notice something new that happens with your hands," she says,

Sources:

Sweet Fern Pottery, 3 Ten Rod Road, New Durham, N.H. 603 776-4198 www.sweetfernpottery.com