VERBEEK VESSELS

KATHY VERBEEK

artistic career started 20 year ago in northern Alberta when she did a ceramic course that ignited her imagination. Since then she has explored different methods of firing: electric, wood, barrel, and Raku. She is most passionate about the ancient methods of Raku and Barrel…the excitement of the unexpected. These methods also, allow her to be more expressive while exploring the wild and controlled sides of creativity.

Verbeek continues to explores different glazing and surface treatments, translating her feeling from quieter to more expressive, while using diverse colors and mark makings on her sculptural vessels. Clay is her medium of choice as it allows for the contradictory concepts such as functional, nonfunctional, expressive, quiet, sorrow and happiness to be seen in a 3D permanent object. Her large vessels showcase an array of textures, colors and marks.

Verbeek has participated in numerous intensive Raku and Alternative Firing workshops over the years, in Canada and the USA.  These include training in Raku and firing in  Connecticut with well known Vicente Garcia and Haliburton Fleming College for Raku and Throwing. Verbeek also, studied under contemporary ceramic artists Lesley McInally and Loren Kaplan both accomplished potters and teachers.  She studied with Angelo Di Petta, a prominent ceramic artist and professor of OCAD, for surface decoration and is soon to start a mentorship with him.

Verbeek continues to keep up with the latest techniques through workshops and study.  She divides her studio time between Kingston and Richmond Hill and is an active member of the Hill Potters’ Guild of Richmond Hill.