About Melissa Henshaw Ceramics

I’ve always been drawn to dishes and vessels of all kinds - bowls, cups, glasses, plates big and small, vases--and love the concept of creating something from just a lump of clay using an art form that has been around for centuries. From the moment I stepped into my first ceramics class in 2014, I knew creating with clay is what I wanted to do and finally, in late 2020, Melissa Henshaw Ceramics officially began. I create decorative yet functional ceramics, with a focus on distinctive surface techniques such as Mishima and sgraffito on cone 5 stoneware and porcelain. Most pieces begin with a carved design that is then inlaid with underglaze. I build on this foundation with layers of color, using a range of underglazes to paint the imagery before finishing each piece with clear and complementary glazes. My work is inspired by nature and driven by a desire to bring color, pattern, and texture together in ways that feel both modern and whimsical. Read their story