Featured Artist Dani Montoya

Ceramic artist Dani Montoya presents a collection of work embellished with delightful nature designs. View more by visiting her website.

 

stoneware mug by Dani Montoya

Hummingbird and Flowers Mug, glazed mid-fire stoneware, 3.5″ x 4.5″

 

As a child, I already knew that creativity was in my blood. I spent hours with paint-by-number kits. Gifts to family members for years were all handcrafted. My hands always had to be making something.

 

stoneware mug by Dani Montoya

Dragonfly Mug, glazed mid-fire stoneware, 3.5″ x 4.5″

 

Drawing and painting, however, were never things I was comfortable with. In my high school art class, try as I might to draw, I was told that one thing I would never be was an artist.

 

stoneware plate by Dani Montoya

Tree of Life Plate, painted and glazed mid-fire stoneware, 8″ diameter

 

Although it was heartbreaking to hear, it did not stop me. Being an artist was a dream I held in my heart for many years.

 

stoneware mug by Dani Montoya

Hummingbird and Flowers Mug 2, glazed mid-fire stoneware, 3.5″ x 4.5″

 

I fulfilled my need to create by working with other mediums, from wood to pine-needle weaving and gourds until I finally found clay.

 

stoneware mugs by Dani Montoya

Dragonfly Mugs, glazed mid-fire stoneware, each 3.5″ x 4.5″

 

This happened when I was offered a free kiln. I had no idea what I wanted to do with it since I only took one short, unsuccessful pottery class in college. Still, I knew I wanted and needed it. Now, years later, pottery is my life.

 

stoneware mugs by Dani Montoya

Assorted Mugs, glazed mid-fire stoneware, each 3.5″ x 4.5″

 

As a wheel-throwing potter, I did not stop at just throwing a shape and glazing it. I had to take it a bit farther, and fell in love with a technique called sgraffito. Sgraffito means “to scratch” and it was within these scratches that I finally found my artistic voice.

 

stoneware mugs, plate and vase by Dani Montoya

Sunflower Grouping, glazed and painted mid-fire stoneware, mugs each 3.5″ x 4.5″, plate 8″, vase 6″ tall

 

My inspiration comes from the natural world around me—fluttering hummingbirds, dragonflies and flowers. I often joke that I can’t grow a garden, so I carve them instead. Flowers live forever on my pieces.

 

stoneware plate by Dani Montoya

Hummingbird and Flowers Plate, glazed mid-fire stoneware, 8″ diameter

 

All my work is done with mid-fire stoneware clay and all glazes are made in studio. The sgraffito technique involves painting an underglaze (usually black) onto a still moist pot and then scratching, etching or carving off the underglaze to reveal the design. I love the bold black and white contrast, and often add just a bit of color to the piece for extra interest. Sgraffito also adds texture to the pieces, making you want to caress it.

 

stoneware mug by Dani Montoya

Painted Hummingbird Mug, glazed and painted mid-fire stoneware, 3.5″ x 4.5″

 

Most of my sgraffito work is done on mugs, something people can use and enjoy every day. Many of my pieces become someone’s favorite mug by bringing back memories and evoking emotions from those memories.

 

Artist Dani Montoya at work in her studio

Artist Dani Montoya at work in her studio

 

I believe that it’s not just a mug. It’s a handheld piece of art.

 

Artist Dani Montoya invites you to follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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Comments

  1. How lovely that you take inspiration from nature. Your artwork is exquisite! I am truly inspired to read that even though you were told in art class that you couldn’t be a certain kind of artist – you still found another art form – and you became so excellent in it! Thank you for sharing your art and your story.😊

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