Shari Bray - Personal Statement

It took a long time for me to finally “find myself” as a professional artist. Along the way my perspective was shaped by a lifelong exposure to many cultures and art forms. I grew up in a military family, traveled and lived across the United States and in Europe, graduated from the University of California at Davis (I received a BA in the studio arts, with a double emphasis in oil painting and ceramic sculpture in 1978, cum laude).

I have been fortunate to study with Robert Arneson and Manuel Neri at U.C. Davis when I was young, and was a charter member at the Tom Coleman Clay studio in Las Vegas as an adult. I've attended some life-changing workshops from Don Ellis, Randy Brodnax, Jenny Lind, Paul Andrew Wandless, Cat Traen, Rob LaWarre, Victoria Pamlenyi and others. All have had an influence on my work. If you are an artist, I encourage you to take workshops and learn new processes. You never know what will incite enthusiasm and change the direction of your work.

My history has shaped my experience and approach. I tend to be very eclectic. I make a variety of artwork, mostly ceramic, some functional and some not. I have works that are low- and mid-range fired. I have some thrown pieces, but much of my work is hand-built. I am delighted to share the knowledge that I have so that everyone can have as much fun as I do with clay.