Janis Klapecki Studio

My art has always been inspired by nature. The observation of textures, patterns, shapes, and colours. A walk in the forest, or along a lakeshore provides an ever-changing source of ideas that feed directly into my work.

After obtaining a BSc in Zoology and Botany, my 30-year career path led me to managing the Natural Sciences research collections at the Manitoba Museum where I worked closely with the vast array of specimen holdings. I have always sketched and painted, but it was when I delved into pottery, that the passion evolved to where I could blend the academic side of my brain with the artistic.

I absolutely love working with clay. It’s a wonderfully accepting medium where I can alternate between, or combine techniques of wheel-throwing, hand-building, and sculpture. Found objects like rocks, plants, bones, shells or driftwood are resources that either become a tool that I use in the actual making process, or are incorporated into the finished piece.

Every piece is unique and is an exploration with clay type, shape, texture, and chosen glazes. They are examples of relaying my interpretation of the perfection, and imperfection of natural environments into functional ceramic pieces.

Always finding. Always exploring.