Adriana Dakin of Horsetail Studio makes handmade servingware with designs inspired by life. Specialty pieces include large handpainted platters and sculptural salt women. Horses are Adriana’s favorite animals, so they are a running (literally!) theme.
Designs are created with these patterns (click to enlarge):
Sea pattern incised: The clay is incised in patterns inspired by sea foam, rocks, and kelp, and the designs are accented with iron oxide. Most pots are glazed only on the inside, or with a sea green celadon outside. See slideshow here.
Horses in brushwork: Playful horses leap across platters, pitchers, and mugs. Bisqued pieces are glazed with Shino or Yellow Salt glaze, and scenes are painted with earthy and blue oxides and wax resist, and sometimes a red glaze for the sun.
Sculpted women and animals: Women, horses, and turtles artistically hold salt and pepper (or jewelry) in small bowls on your table or by the stove. The first salt woman was created as a fountain prototype, but never got bigger!
Why "Horsetail Studio"?
Horsetails evokes both plants and animals. They are an ancient plant, a close relative of the fern, found along creek banks and marshy areas in many areas of the world. A spoke pattern radiates from the central stalk. Adriana's horse Psophie loves to eat horsetails on walks.
