Louise Chell

2025 Terradise Environmental Artist in Residence
Marion, Ohio (Functional Ceramics)

Tell us about your artmaking space! Some artists have “studios,” of course, but others work out in the world — or in combination! Where do you compose, conduct, or create most of your work? What is the space like & what helps keep you creative, inspired, on-track, or motivated?

I work in a pottery studio which is my attached one car garage. We converted the space into a pottery studio 2 years ago and installed a kiln. I am inspired by working in my garden, taking nature walks, kayaking, and taking art classes.

Do you have any “minor” or secondary art practices — i.e., genres or modes you work in, which might not be your dominant mode, but have a special place in your heart? How do these modes relate to your “major” practice?

In addition to working in clay I sew, knit, bake and create nature art with found objects. I make pottery that relates to these hobbies. I make mini mixing bowls, sponge holders, bowls, mugs, soap dispensers, and yarn bowls.

Where/how can readers find or follow your work, if they’re interested in commissions, workshops, classes, lessons, or listening to or reading more? Do you have any educational offerings or works for sale available to the general public at the moment?

I sell my work through my Etsy Shop. I also update followers on what I am making in the studio and upcoming in-person shows on my Facebook and Instagram sites.

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/YellowCreekPottery
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yellowcreekpottery
Instagram: @yellowcreekpottery

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Whether working on drawings or creating with textiles, I have always been an artist. When I was in the first grade, I knew that when I “grew-up” I wanted to create art. Many of my best childhood memories involve time spent outside. My family had a big yard, with an enormous garden and a creek which ran through it. The creek was called Yellow Creek. There, my family and I would catch fish, swim, and in the winter we’d ice skate. It was a beautiful place to grow up.

I have been creating functional pottery since 2003. My designs seek to echo the beauty of nature, my inspiration, Yellow Creek. You can see this in my work: in my “Wetlands” design, through my depiction of frogs, butterflies, luna moths, dragonflies, and flowers.

— Louise Chell, Yellow Creek Pottery (Marion, Ohio)

Works coming soon..

The Terradise Environmental Arts Residency 2025 has been made possible by the generous support of an Ohio Arts Council’s ArtsNEXT FY2025 Grant: supporting changemaking community arts projects & programs across Ohio. Thank you to Ohio Arts Council for your support of artists in North-Central Ohio, & across all 88 counties of Ohio!

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