Cricket Appel

Artist's Statement:

The inspiration for the design and decoration of my work comes directly from 18th Century Sevres porcelain.  The methods I use for the production of these pieces is very similar to those developed by the French.  The major variation is the use of china paint decals rather than the hand-painted scenes on the French vessels.  

The subject matter and patterns are a direct influence of the years I spent living in the Southwest, combined with my more recently acquired interest in quilting while living in Indiana.  I enjoy the juxtapostion of the rough and tough desert landscape on such elegant vessels.  Not unlike the women of the pioneer days who labored over their fabric patches, I found myself drawn into the patterns, images and composition of these works.  Fond memories of my childhood overwhelmed me.  Curling up at my grandmother's house for a nap under her treasured "crazy" quilt.  I remember dozing off having examined many of the small pieces of fabric and the elegant stitching.  I create stories and scenes in my mind.  

As I decorate these vessels, I find myself again focusing on each individual piece and fantasizing about what secrets it holds.