Traci Beden-Tambussi

I began working in clay in 1975 while still in high school. I went on to earn an Associates of fine Arts degree from Camden County College in 1980. I then transfered to East Tennessee State where I earned my BFA with a concentration in clay in 1982. One of the highlights of my career was having my work published in Lark Books 500 Bowls, in 2003. I was a studio tech. and Adjunct faculty at Glassboro State College for many years as well as a instructor at the Merchantville Art Co-op, and Parson's center for the Arts. I have recently taught a workshop at Cumberland County College and currently offer semi-private instruction through my own studio, Mud Alley Pottery. I was the "Featured Artist" for Jerseyarts.com for the month of November 2011. My work has been displayed in museams and galleryts throughout New Jersey Pennsylvania, Vermont and Ohio. It can currently be found at The Aida Jaine Gallery, The Old Barn, The Golden Feather ,The Ginko Gallery and Earth Tones. I participate annually in various juried shows including The Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Arts Festival as well as the Wheaton Arts Festival. I feel that we are profoundly affected by what surrounds us. As I have traveled my journet through life my clay work has been influenced by everything that has touched me. My porcelain and stoneware clay work followed the clean understated simplicity of Oriental Philosophies. It was free of texture and followed simple lines. As I began to explore texture I created interesting surfaces by simply using whatever I found. I forced a natural look with man made objects. I then discovered that nature had already made objects that were the perfect tools for my work. My current work is inspired by a workshop I took and many week-ends in the woods with my children. I use real leaves on my pieces. The result is something more beautiful than anything a mere human could ever create. Each piece is unique as the leaves can only be used once. With the first frost the leaves are gone leaving me with a verry short span of time in which to create these pieces. As I continue to be influenced by my surroundings my work will continue to evolve. I wonder where life will take it next..........................