My name is Jessie Marianacci Valone and I am a potter and owner of jmv ceramics. I grew up in the Finger Lakes area and currently live in Bristol, NY with my husband and two labradors, Lola and Buxton.
With a focus on utilitarian pottery forms, I strive to create beautiful, well crafted, functional forms that people will enjoy and use for display and engagement in the home and day to day life.
I began my artistic career in graphic design but have been working in clay for about 5 years now. I became hooked when I took an elective class at school and wound up spending the majority of my time in the clay studio. I switched my major the next semester and have been working in clay ever since. I enjoy working with my hands and have an appreciation for the handmade.
I completed a year apprenticeship at the Rochester Folk Art Guild in Middlesex, NY as well as three summer internships with Kate Symmonds at Coach Street Clay in Canandaigua, NY. I recently graduated from Alfred University with my BFA and have been working as a studio potter ever since.
I create my functional pottery forms with the potters wheel and hand alterations, using a cone 6 porcelaneous clay body.
When I am creating a new piece I begin by sketching out forms
and surface designs ideas.
I then make paper cut outs to further investigate the form before moving to the wheel and creating it in 3D.
I use simple glazes to accentuate the generous and sturdy form and quiet the surface, allowing for a focus on form without distraction.
I also use a variety of colored slips and tools to create different surface designs. This allows for the surface to be painterly yet still influenced by my graphic design background.
The surfaces are pleasant, calm, stable, sturdy, generous, and clean. The work gives off a cool, refreshing feeling through the color palette I have chosen.
The colors are these of natural elements; skyline, beautiful clouds, reflections in the lake, smooth river-stones in the creek-bed, waves crashing on the shoreline, reflections on the water or the inside of
a seashell. These are all places I pull inspiration from.
The forms are sturdy, strong, generous and made for use. They are designed to be pleasant to look at and to function well. I hope that even the smallest of details such as the way the handle fits in your hand or the angle of the lip are pleasant areas for use.
Craftsmanship and handwork are important aspects of my work.
I find tremendous value working with my hands along with the physical demands and intellectual choices I make in my practice
keep my work exciting and keep me continuing to work. I strive
to advance my skills as a potter through the process of research, planning and repetition.
I work in a production based practice while still maintaining a
high level of quality, thought/context and energy in the work.
Bringing something new and thoughtful into the world generates sense of meaning and fulfillment. There are so many avenues you can take with clay and the opportunities are endless, this keeps me striving to create.
Stop by Main Street Arts to see work by jmv ceramics in the gallery shop! Visit Jessie’s website at. Like her Facebook Page and follow her on Instagram @jmvceramics.
