Artist: Deborah Sullivan
Deborah Sullivan, CALIFORNIA
View Artist's Current Work Here
BIO
Deb Sullivan (she/her) has been making art from clay for over 30 years. These days she splits her time between making functional pottery and sculpture. Deb lives in Alameda, CA with her husband, daughter and 3 cats. If she’s not in her studio, she can often be found riding her bike, swimming or doing absolutely nothing.
Artist Statement
Picture a venn diagram with two overlapping circles. One circle contains cups and the other, art. Where the circles overlap is where cups are art. That is where I strive to be: in that intersection where function meets art.
My work is inspired by California landscapes. They are representations that come from my childhood impressions during daily play and the celebration of the imagination that thrives in that play. But also they are a comparison of then and now: of the missing birds and frogs and bugs and bees, of fire fear and the rising sea at my door. I am interested in the California seasons and how the light changes throughout the day and how that affects the landscape.
The designs are simple and down to their essence. I like the decoration to be graphically flat and layered. I want the inspiration of childhood play to translate from the user's eyes to their hands and end in their head and heart.
I believe in the ability of handmade pottery to elevate everyday life. Surrounding ourselves with human-made objects of beauty allows for daily reflection and enjoyment.
CV
EXHIBITS
Forming Function, June 21-August 17, 2025
Palo Alto Arts Center, Juror: Beth Ann Gerstein
Feats of Clay, April 25-June 29, 2025
Lincoln, CA, Juror: Rhonda Willers
Annual Winter Warmers Cup Show, January 2025
Good Earth Pottery, Bellingham WA
Above Board, October 3 - November 2, 2024
Clay Hand Studios Gallery, Fresno
Cup: The Intimate Object XX, October 4 - March, 2024
Charlie Cummings Gallery, FL
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Winner Best Handbuilt
September 27 - November 9, 2024
Lancaster Museum of Art, PA, Juror: David MacDonald,
Politically Charged, August 31 - October 5, 2024
Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
By Hand, International Fine Craft, January 20-March 2, 2024
Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
Exhibiting Member, Association of Clay and Glass Artists of
California, Palo Alto Arts Center, CA July 13-14, 2024
American Craft Council Directory Artist, Online, October
2023-October 2024
Clay Cup VI, October 30 - November 30, 2023
George Caleb Bingham Gallery, University of Missouri,
Strictly Functional Pottery National, September 23-Nov. 4, 2023
Lancaster Museum Of Art, PA, Juror: Adero Willard
Making Lemonade, July 8 - October 28, 2023
Rhythmix Cultural Works, Alameda, CA
EDUCATION
B.A. History, 1985
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Media
Ceramics Monthly September 2024 For a Feast
International Ceramic Artists Network 2025 Calendar
Art Sales
ACGA Clay and Glass Festival, Palo Alto, July 2024, 2025
King Mountain Art Fair, Woodside, CA, August 2025
East Bay Open Studios, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Renegade Craft, 2023
West Coast Craft, San Francisco, CA 2022
Head West Marketplace, 2021, 2022, 2023
Craneway Craft Fair, Richmond, CA, 2021
Workshops
Finding Your Voice Mentorship with Naomi Clement 2023
Ceramic Materials Workshop, 2020