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Artist: Betty Jean Tompkins
Artists » Betty Jean Tompkins
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Craft Medium:
Clay
Artist's Statement: thrown & hand built
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Artist Works:
Artist Biography:
Betty Jean Tompkins established Vermilion River Pottery almost 40 years ago. Her interest in pottery dates from her childhood. She began learning from her father, a pediatrician in Alexandria, LA and a self-taught potter, sharing his enthusiasm for the craft and interest in collecting pottery. After high school graduation, she studied pottery at Newcomb College, and then put her career on hold to marry and raise six children. As the children grew older, she found more time for pottery and began attending educational workshops throughout the country. At her home, she built a gas kiln and studio, which she still uses. She is active in local and state art associations and has participated in festivals and shown her pottery in galleries throughout the state.
Vermilion River Pottery is located on the banks of the Vermilion River, surrounded by native trees and plants. Betty Jean creates pots that are fully useful, making form and function her first priority. She uses symbols of her Christian faith, as well as leaves, pine needles and rice stalks, to decorate the pots, and then applies earth tone slips and semi-matt glazes to the finished pieces. Vermilion River Pottery has a full line of wheel-thrown dinnerware, colanders and serving pieces, plus woven baskets and vases.
Email to Betty Jean Tompkins
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