Kate moved to Grey County from her family's farm in Campbellville after she graduated from Sheridan College in 1978. An immediate launch into a career in studio pottery coincided with the birth of her daughter Vita Bowen. Searching for a permanent home led them to the Walter's Falls area in 1982, to a 50 acre farm and century old farmhouse. Her home and studio are a stone's throw from the Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment near Walter's Falls. Certified organic cropland, a kitchen garden, excellent toboggan hill and sturdy hardwood forest nurture and inspire creativity. The Big Head River valley is the view to the north, famous for its drumlins. The whole area provides constantly changing beauty and visual drama.
Because trees are such interesting characters in the landscape and are significant to so much of naturalhistory, and in her own life story, they have figured prominently in Kate's work for decades. The pottery she makes is easily recognized and distinctive for this evolving tree motif, although it is always changing and refining as she explores a wide range of glazes and clay bodies, using different techniques, temperatures and kilns. Her pottery is user-friendly: non-toxic, safe for microwaves, dishwashers and, with care, ovens.
Kate belongs to the Owen Sound Artists' Co-op, the Owen Sound Farmers' Market and the Walter's Falls Group of Artists. Her favourite pottery expression is borrowed from an unknown author:
"Science, art and serendipity intersect in the pottery studio."
See Kate's work at the Owen Sound Artists' Co-op
Photo credit: http://artistscoop.ca/
