These 10 Illustrators Use Ceramics as a Canvas

Ceramic artist Pepa Espinoza shares some of her references when modeling new pieces with clay

Although Pepa Espinoza (@espinoza_mariajose) will be the first to tell you that her main inspiration is her grandmother, her work is influenced by an immense range of potters that work with ceramics in very different ways, imbuing their pieces with their personality.

The list is long, but we have selected some of her favorites so that you can also enjoy their pure creativity:

Sara Theron (@dodo_toucan)

The distinctive feature of Sara Theron's work is, without doubt, color. This French ceramic artist creates everyday objects with simple shapes that give the enameling process and color palette the spotlight.

Florence Bamberger (@florencebamberger)

The perfect fusion between art and ceramics has the signature of Florence Bamberger, who experiments with shapes to obtain objects that go beyond the classic pieces we usually see.

Jacqueline Tapia (@jacceramiquita)

Although science and ceramics might not share many qualities, both are combined in Jacqueline Tapia's work. This Chilean artist molds her clay to show us an enlarged and fragile version of things that we would only see under the microscope.

Julia Ballenger (@julia_ballenger)

Halfway between the artistic and the functional, this artist's pieces share a common vision: a celebration of women and self-love. Her way of working ceramics is simple and effective. It is challenging to choose a single piece that we wouldn't like to have at home.

Milo Hachim (@milohachim)

Many of Milo Hachim's ceramic pieces are tiny, and the Chilean artist is comfortable working on a small scale, with bright colors and extravagant ideas, like this watch: it’s not functional but is the perfect fashion accessory.

La Casa de Dorothy (@lacasadedorothy)

The universe of La Casa de Dorothy is populated by curious animals with penetrating eyes and affable smiles, and by the greenest, leafiest and most varied flora. The little heads of these inhabitants look out from the walls in an irresistible and adorable way.

Lise Meunier (@lisemeunierceramique)

If ceramics could be tattooed on the skin, Lise Meunier would undoubtedly be one of the reference artists. The delicacy and creativity of her pieces are just a prelude to the illustration work that serves as the icing on the cake—ceramic amulets for old school tastes.

Marianne Hallberg (@marianne_hallberg)

Swedish artist Marianne Hallberg creates ceramic objects reminiscent of comic drawings. With a minimal color palette of just paper white and ink blue, she creates incredible pieces.

Marie Leman - Home of a Heart (@marie__leman)

Marie Leman’s ceramic figures come straight out of a story. The delicate work she puts into details like flowers and leaves shows us the respect she feels for her great muse: nature. The animals, the beautiful little houses, and other fantastical elements complete the dreamlike aura of her work.

Camila Pino Gay (@pinogay)

Camila stumbled upon the world of ceramics by pure chance. She is a painter by training, but she undoubtedly found her calling in clay. Each of the objects in the image below this paragraph is made of clay and perfectly mimics real items we use every day.

Pepa Espinoza teaches the Domestika course Ceramic Illustration and Modeling Techniques, where you'll learn how to turn creations made on paper into objects made of clay.

English version by @angeljimenez.

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