About Tina Pepa

I began my life in clay at Lill Street Art Center in Chicago. I was surrounded by a community of artists that invariably fed my appetite to make pots. I spent hours on the wheel trying to get my technique just right - it was a bit of an obsession. That was over 25 years ago.

In 2006 I took my first trip to Japan. I was so taken by the aesthetic, quiet beauty, and tradition of craft and art that I was left with a strong desire to make some kind of a change. Five months later, after spending my life in Chicago, I relocated to Seattle.

Every day I wake up to mountain views, the fresh scents of the city, and the ever welcome rain and I’m continually filled with a sense of delight and contentment. I hope I’m able to transfer some of that sense through my work.

While my focus is mainly on functional pottery, my approach is more about the  process, which allows my style to drift from rustic to refined. I love working in porcelain for its delicate and silky hand feel; stoneware, for its satisfying grit and earthy quality.  Whichever medium I choose, I’m driven to create objects that are beautiful, yet not too precious to be used everyday.