Lynn Greenwade, Back to the Mud Pottery became a new member of the Arkansas Craft Guild during our 46th Annual Christmas Showcase held the first weekend of December, 2024. She's from Mena, so western Arkansans, take notice.
Years ago in college she received a Bachelor of Science in education with a minor in art. She was a potter way back then but put it on hold for many years while raising a family. About 7 years ago she came back full circle to her love, "back to the mud!"
Lynn writes, "My first toad houses were very simple - Toad House 101. They have become progressively more detailed over the years, with the introduction of creatures who live in each house in my mythical Fairy Village. Now I cannot seem to make a house without a creature or a creature without a house! I delight in creating pieces which bring smiles every time they are viewed. It's all a grand excuse to stay young and play with clay, dragons, fairies, snails and tortoises. "
"Mainly selling through street-side art events, I engage art lovers with stories about the creatures who inhabit my houses. The stories go home with the artwork, which hopefully continues to bring joy each time it is viewed. My body of work is earthy and primitive. Folks often say they wish THEY could live in the house. I would continue making them even if I never sold another one."
“It all starts with a bag of clay.” I make whimsical ceramic houses for toads, fairies, sprites, and the occasional good-natured troll. Raw clay is rolled into slabs, which are then embossed with multiple textures. Napa cabbage is the foundation for many a roof. I create my own house structure designs. The magic begins after they are assembled, as decorations bring each house to life. I lean heavily on fairies, dragons, rabbits, snails, and mushrooms, with the odd tortoise or hippo in the mix. My goal is to make a house delightful from any angle. Chimneys and windows are most always crooked. No two houses are alike."
"After drying and a first bisque firing, each house is glazed with up to 25 different glazes, at least 3 coats for each color; then fired again to 2,200 degrees F, after which they are ready for a “For Rent” sign. They are suitable for outside use and toads really do use them. Can't speak for fairies, but word on the street is they are the most desirable homes in town."
For more photos, visit her artist-roster page at our website, and her Facebook profile page.
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