2 In 1 Clay Paintings
Kate Champa has been a ceramic artist and teacher for many years. The presence of the ocean in Rhode Island and the many moods, colors and terrain variations often inform her work. She loves color and form and the various interactions (sometimes intentional, sometimes fortuitously accidental) that occur between them. Animals in their infinite variety and capacity for joy are very important to her and she enjoys capturing their playfulness in clay. The perception of nature starts her own energy and creativity, the work finds its completion through the fire energy of the kiln.
As yogis we understand our own fire energy: the alchemical processes of yoga use heat, breath and intention. This tapas transforms our bodies. Physically, we become firmer yet more supple, but the most profound changes occur in our subtler energies. We refine our energetic, emotional and intellectual bodies allowing our prana or life force to move unimpeded through our system. This free movement of energy helps us to feel more expansive, spacious and at ease. Our bodies become vehicles for intention and consciousness. The transformation of unformed clay into a ceramic artwork is also a process of tapas. The heat of the kiln and the vision of the artist forms the work – an artistic expression visualizing intention.
Kate Champa has a Master’s Degree in Art History from Harvard and later attended RISD as a Special Student in Ceramics. Kate lives in Providence RI with three cats. Animals in their infinite variety and capacity for joy are very important to her.
She has been a member of The Foundry Artists’ Association for 25 years. In 1997 she, with a group of local ceramic artists, started Raku Rhody-o, A FireArts Festival in downtown Providence. Under Kate’s coordination, Raku Rhody-o was for eight years a successful and exciting contribution to the R.I. art scene. With her raku kiln she has taught the ancient Japanese art of Raku firing at many high schools in Rhode Island.
Kate is included in the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts list of Artists in Education. She is always available to teach ceramic workshops in schools and for other groups. Her work may often be seen at South County Art Association, other local galleries, and every December at The Foundry Show at the Pawtucket Armory Art Center.