Bio:

 

Bobbie McMillan has an MA in Ceramics Arts from Hood College, Fredrick, Maryland. She also holds a BFA in Ceramics and a minor in Art History from the University of Houston, Houston, Texas. She is currently pursuing a MA in Art History from Ft. Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

 

McMillan serves as an Instructor of Art at Eastern Florida State College where she teaches Ceramics 1 and Ceramics 2, Three Dimensional Design, and Art History. 

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Statement:

 

Essentially, I think of my clay work as representing a slow assimilative journey of my life. One that depicts the process of my evolution as a person, a human being; one that represents the ups and downs, sadness and joy, the agonies and ecstasies of living. I have developed and continue to develop two series of narrative works that carry those messages for me: The Self Portrait Series and the Fun Won /So What Series. Recently a new intimate series called Dish has emerged that is about sharing and community.  

 

The Self Portrait Series is primarily centered on the thrown form with stylized female drawings. Some of the forms are controlled, some are allowed the freedom to just be, and some of the forms are altered and distorted with additional forms added on. Sometimes the forms are thrown to fit a particular drawing, sometimes I fit the drawing to the form after I have lived with it and listened to it for a while, and sometimes the drawing is done spontaneously on the form. Most of these pieces are Black and White Raku. I love the contrast between black and white.

 

The second series that represents part of my life journey is the Fun Won Series also sometimes called So What! This series began as the colorful, less controlled side of my personality. It has evolved into the most sculptural series; currently, all the pieces are white. Most of these pieces are satirical, cathartic, whimsical, humorous, and many of them involve cats.

 

 Dish is the third series that has recently emerged as part of my evolution. I think Dish has evolved out of my need to share, to connect with other people on an everyday level. The series imagery currently has morphed flowers…maybe stylized oriental clouds… that are carved, incised, and glazed for function.

 

As I continue my journey through life, my clay work will continue to evolve along with the challenges and opportunities that await me. I can hardly wait to see them!