They are an expression of the natural world, transformed to serve both a utilitarian as well as artistic purpose. 

Known as “Maiolica in Italy, “Faience” in France, “Fayence” in Germany, and “Delft” in Holland and England, Majolica arrived in Europe via the Spanish port of Majorca.

This type of pottery developed through the craftsmen of the Near East attempting to copy the porcelain from China, as far back as the 9th century.  Without the sophisticated materials to make porcelain, the potters experimented and found an opaque white glaze that would cover their red clays and then decorated them with various oxides.

Denise Martin’s majolica is a new take on a traditional treatment.  The glaze is a layered Majolica, done in a Batik-like technique.  First, the piece is formed of red earthenware and bisque, then dipped in a black glaze.  Liquid wax is painted over the black glaze to create the lines of the pattern.  Next, the piece is dipped in a white glaze.  The wax resists the white glaze, leaving the black outlines of the pattern, and a slightly raised surface.  When dry, additional color is applied.  The glaze is fired to cone 04.  All work is dishwasher and microwave safe.

The process is incredibly labor intensive and is the only way I know of to achieve the vivid colors and subtle surface textures in my work.

All of the pieces are made one at a time in my studio near downtown San Antonio, Texas.  The sometimes tiny crawls and spots in the glaze are beauty marks, distinctions that are indigenous to this glaze process.  They in no way effect the function or food safety of the piece.

Ripe patterns or sinuous solids, it is work that captures Denise’s love of South Texas, and the feminine textures, colors, and shapes that, over time, formed her sensibility as an artist.  Luscious indeed...