Local Artist Spotlight: Renata Mastroti, Ceramic Artist By Duffy Perkins
The hallmark of ceramic artist Renata Mastroti’s pottery is its reverence for natural beauty, with leaves, flowers, and other flora carved and then painted into the clay. However, the elements that act as her trademark are not inherent to her life’s story. Mastroti was born and raised in Brazil, and while her artwork may reflect the natural landscape of the Mid-Atlantic, the color palette of her pieces reflects a much deeper source of inspiration. “I’m inspired by nature and its pattern,” Mastroti says, “and I’m drawn to its organic character and diversity. The vegetation of Brazil is a constant source of inspiration.” Mastroti was born and raised in São Paolo, Brazil, and, as a teen, enjoyed ceramics as a hobby. After graduating from college and spending time in the workforce, she took a leap of faith and accepted a two-year apprenticeship at the Rochester Folk Art Guild in New York. After meeting her husband there, she followed him to Annapolis and began work as a professional potter. Mastroti’s work bridges the gap between the domesticity of the family table and the enchantment of a secret garden. Using carving tools and deep slips, her patterns pull color during the firing process, and bringing three- dimensional qualities to static pieces.
“I work with stoneware and then apply a black slip and carve over it. The leaf work is all real leaves that I collect on walks, then sketch on the clay and carve. I sketch based on observation, then I simplify the designs to carve over the slip on the pots.” Mastroti’s fascination
Photo courtesy of Renata Mastroti
with symmetries, fractals, spirals, and tessellations comes through in her work. As the viewer’s eye explores the shape of the form and the creative unfolding of the pattern, Mastroti’s appreciation for her nature walks becomes apparent. Mastroti has taught ceramics at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts since 2005. Her ability as an artist to instruct students is unprecedented, with many professional potters pulling stools up to the wheels in her studio. For more information on Renata, visit rmastrotipottery.com.
SPRING 2024 | 23
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