Details
| First Name | Steffi |
| Last Name | needham |
| Nickname | sfneedham |
My Ceramics
| In the studio I like to do | Everything to do with Ceramics |
| Pottery Wheel | Baileys |
| Clay body | Earthenware |
| Kiln Type | Electric Kiln |
| Kiln Atmosphere | Oxidation Atmosphere |
| Temperature | 04 |
| Glaze | I use Mayco stroke and Coat for all of my bisque ware. I have been painting local historical scenes from our community for the past 10 years on pre fired bisque that I purchase from Clay-King. |
| You can buy my work from | The Shelter Island Historical Society has a gift shop and although they feature 4 ceramic artists we all sell our artwork and do very well. |
About Me
| Introduction | My name is Stephanie Frances and I live on a small island off the coast of New York called Shelter Island. I taught K-12 art in the public school for 30 years and have always worked in ceramics personally. Now that I am retired I paint local historical scenes of our community on bisque ware and work in my own studio on the wheel experimenting and learning new techniques just for pleasure. |
| What I Love about Ceramics | Besides my family my favorite pleasure is to open the kiln. Despite patience and careful planning I feel there is always a element of surprise. It never disappoints even when there is a disaster because it means I have another puzzle to solve. When I am pleased it is like Christmas. |
| How I started with ceramics | Clay always felt natural to me. If something was absent I felt as if I could always create it in clay. As I became a seasoned teacher I developed a body of knowledge that others also sought out. |
| What inspires me | I feel inspired watching other ceramic artists especially now that it is possible to share our work online. |
| What I'm working on at the moment | At the moment my interest is in developing new ways to use high frequency glazes. I use low fire on my bisque ware and have created a palette and technique that works. I would like two return to wheel work and high four glazes. |
| My Artist Statement | I create art because it brings me great joy. I share that joy with my students , my family and in the quiet moments that I steal away. There is no great message in my work besides the love of my community and the gratitude I have for living in such a wonderful place. |
| My CV | My career has revolved around teaching in a small community. I have sold my artwork since the young age of 16 but that has never been the most important part. Sharing, creating and appreciating it is all I care about. |
