Celia Feldberg - The Clay Studio

Artist Spotlight - Celia Feldberg
Resident Artist at The Clay Studio
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instagram: @cel.fel
Website: www.celiafeldberg.com

Celia Feldberg brings a playful charm and joy to her work that mirrors her delightful personality. Her earthenware, adorned with slip, soft watercolor-like underglaze, and sensitive lines, reminds us of whimsical storybooks. Each illustration is full of gentle wit and sweet, endearing moments that feel familiar yet magical. In this interview, Celia Feldberg shares how being a Resident Artist at The Clay Studio has made an impact on her work. She delves into how she brings her heartwarming spirit and imagination to life in the permanence of clay. The crafting of her pieces feels relatable, reminding us of simple and comforting moments in everyday life that bring us all together.

How long have you been a Resident at The Clay Studio?

I’m coming up on one year, I started in September of 2023.

Any growth since then or major impacts it’s made on your work?

Totally! I think my work is growing a lot from being part of this program. The support and personal studio space push me to prioritize trying new processes and styles and taking more risks. I have the means to work on longer-term projects and there are amazing resources here like the glaze lab and a variety of kilns. The opportunities to exhibit work and connect with people have really helped me to become more visible and engaged here, which is so important as a full-time potter.

Why did you choose to move to Philadelphia? Has Philadelphia and the community here made an impact on your work?

I wanted to find a creative community and be somewhere where there’s diversity, a clay scene, and lots of things to do. The Clay Studio had just moved into their new building and that was really exciting. I think being here, I’ve experienced a lot of self-growth. My community within the studio and outside of it propels me forward in so many ways and I feel really lucky to have that support and encouragement.

What sets a Celia Feldberg piece apart from others?

Practical, touchable forms with sensitive linework, soft colors, storybook-like drawings, and plenty of charm. I throw each form and do the drawings and color by hand, so they are all one of a kind.

What made you want to get into ceramics?

I went to MassArt to study drawing. I took a wheel-throwing class in my freshman year and just fell in love with the process. It was instantly something I wanted to do a lot and get good at. Finding that there are a million ways to draw on clay and loving making functional pottery really solidified ceramics as my medium of choice. After school, I worked as a production potter for a dinnerware company and studied at the Penland School of Craft as I started my business making illustrated pottery.

Can you walk us through your creative process?

I always work in multiples so each piece doesn’t feel too precious and I have lots of opportunities to work through different ideas. I love to draw and think through projects in my sketchbook but when it comes to actually touching the clay I prefer an intuitive approach. I try to keep it loose and have fun while I’m making and I feel like that energy carries through to the finished work.

What is your favorite part of the process?

I love dipping things in slip. It’s super satisfying to see the forms freshly coated in a perfectly even and shiny layer. Bonus points for fun drips and little splashes.

What techniques are you drawn to or specialize in?

Sgraffito, which is scratching through a layer of slip to reveal the clay color below, is how I do all of my linework. It’s really simple but will give you a different quality of line depending on the dryness of the piece, tool, and amount of pressure. I wanted to draw on clay with the ease of drawing with pen on paper, and sgraffito gave me that.

Any specific types of clay or glazes you prefer to work with?

I chose red earthenware for its warm rich color and easy-going nature. I am also continuously won over by my clear glaze - it has a great fit to the clay, is really thick and luxurious looking, and super high gloss.

Any favorite tools?

I spend a lot of time getting things *just so* and I am pretty meticulous when cleaning up handles or trimming feet. I love a Mudtools red rubber rib for compressing and burnishing and a finishing sponge for making everything soft and rounded.

What currently inspires your pieces?

I’m inspired by everyday happenings that make me feel joy, comfort, or make me laugh. Also, moments that make me pause and appreciate; things a lot of people can also relate to.

How do you strike a balance between experimentation and maintaining a consistent style?

This is something I’ve been working on because I like to go all in on one thing versus having multiple projects at once. What’s been working recently is committing specific chunks of time to the experimental stuff, then switching gears and getting back in my production groove. After an amount of time or when I reach a deadline or goal, I’ll go back to the experimental stuff and repeat. It’s cool to notice that when I go back to my production it’s always a little different as a result of something I’ve latched onto while exploring. I like that it’s familiar and reliable, but always changing.

What do you want to be taken away from your art?

I love it when people tell me that my work makes them smile or they connect the imagery to something they’re experiencing. I hope people feel some comfort from my work and are reminded that there is good all around us even though it’s hard to see that sometimes.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring artists?

Keep on making work even if you are pushing through self-doubt/low confidence and it’s hard. Focus on getting to the studio, putting away distractions, and just making something - you don’t have to make something good. Set specific goals for yourself and take time to feel proud and successful when you achieve them. By the time you do, the goalpost has probably moved forward, or in other words, you’re already focused on another goal. If this continuously happens, it can start to feel like no matter what you do it’s not enough. So feel good about your achievements, however big or small, and celebrate them!

What are your long-term artistic goals?

I’d love to explore different styles of drawing on clay and utilizing different glazes or atmospheric firing to bring more variation and texture to my surfaces. I’m currently working on transitioning some of my drawings into printed media, creating a line of stationary and cards, and hope to illustrate a children’s book. I aspire to travel and teach workshops and someday have a home studio in the woods. 

Any upcoming shop drops, exhibitions, galleries, or markets?

I regularly stock my online shop with new pottery, and you can find that at www.celiafeldberg.com. This year I’ll be participating in the Flower City Pottery Invitational in Rochester, NY on October 11 - 13 as well as the Philadelphia Museum of Art 48th Annual Craft Show which is November 15 - 17. I also have work available at the Charlie Cummings Gallery and The Clay Studio.