Paula Rogalski

From an early age, my mother nurtured my creative spirit by teaching me to paint in oils. A folk artist herself, she introduced me to the medium when I was still very young, and I carried that love of painting with me into early adulthood. That artistic foundation shaped my lifelong connection to creativity and self-expression. Later in life, I discovered clay — a material that quickly grew from curiosity into a deep and lasting passion, becoming my primary voice for artistic expression.

Under the ceramic instruction of two local potters, I learned techniques in handbuilding and wheel thrown pottery. Hand-building is my primary process for creating pieces incorporating wheel throwing in the process. Hand-building and wheel-throwing are used together to embrace irregularities as an essential part of the work. My ceramic practice exists at the intersection of function and sculpture, where everyday objects are elevated through form, surface, and material.

I have always enjoyed the outdoors growing up with a father who was a science teacher. I draw inspiration from organic forms, flower laden landscapes, and the quiet rhythms found in nature. I am drawn to textures and forms that echo natural elements such as stone, bark, water, and earth. Hand-building and surface experimentation allow me to embrace imperfection and spontaneity, reflecting the unpredictability of nature. Glazes are layered and allowed to interact organically, creating surfaces that feel weathered, grounded, and alive. Using my painting background,  I like to incorporate spotted colors displayed in plant life scattered throughout the natural world.

Each piece is designed to be both usable and contemplative, inviting interaction while maintaining a strong sculptural presence. Flora and fauna interact with each other responsively mirroring the fragility and resilience of the landscapes that inspire me. Clay, as a material born from the earth, reinforces the conceptual foundation of my work.