rebecca zweibel

When Florida ceramic artist Rebecca Zweibel creates her hand-built abstract forms she never knows what the final work of art will look like.

And she’s fine with that.

“I love the unexpectedness of not knowing exactly what shape I’ll be making until it actually comes to life,” said Zweibel.

Artist: The Connecticut native was born in Westport and grew up in New Haven. Zweibel later graduated from Illinois State University with a psychology degree.

In her late 20s, she moved to Colorado and worked as corporate sales rep for Sprint for a time. When her two children were in high school, Zweibel tried several different art classes at a local community college, but it was the tactility of clay that drew her in.

After nearly 30 years in Colorado, Zweibel and her husband moved to the D.C. area for his new job. In Arlington, VA, she found a wonderful clay community.

About 12 years ago, Zweibel and her husband moved to St. Petersburg, FL. She immediately joined the Morean Center for Clay, where she rents studio space with almost 50 other ceramic artists.

“I began as a wheel thrower, but transformed into a hand builder about 15 years ago,” said Zweibel. “This is where my heart lies.”

Art & materials: Abstract, hand-built wall sculptures, vessels, bowls and mugs using mostly brown stoneware and earthenware with surface decoration. ($80 for a mug to $1,200-plus for larger pieces)

“I don’t plan any particular surface design,” said Zweibel. “I just go with instinctive marks and colors.”

Process:

Hand builds a form and typically uses a cream-colored terra sigillata (an underglaze) to cover the piece.
Form dries to a hard leather before different slips and colors of terra sigillata are applied to make a decoration.
Draws through the surface colors with a sharp instrument.
Fires the piece and applies a wash, which darkens the carved lines.
After a final firing, the piece is waxed to highlight the colors.

Tools: Lately, a dentist’s tool. “I like the very narrow mark it gives me,” said Zweibel. But she also uses diverse tools and found objects to create the unique textures on her pieces.

Inspirations: Colorful paintings, including abstract and modern art.

Where to buy: Galleries, including: