Ceramics in bloom
FLORAL PRETTINESS FROM BROOKLYN-BASED ARTIST LEAH GOREN.
Tell us, what do you do? I’m an illustrator working on things like books, editorial pieces for newspapers or magazines, and products like notebooks, bedding, wallpaper and dishes. In my free time I draw for fun, and I love to fill up my sketchbooks with things I see around me.
Describe your artistic style. I mostly paint with gouache on paper. My paint is water-based, so it has a nice matte finish, similar to watercolour but more opaque. I’d describe my work as feminine and colourful. I love mixing my own colours and seeing how they pair in a piece. I try to paint loosely and confidently, and find that my most successful paintings happen when I’m not trying so hard.
What’s the first arty thing you can remember making? My mum is an artist, so we’ve always made things together. When I was four or five, we painted my bike frame with enamel paint, and my bed frame as well. She let me be free and wild, so I never felt like there were any creative limitations.
What inspires you? Ordinary, everyday things make me want to draw. It doesn’t have to be anything special. I like to draw scenes of people sitting around or working or doing different activities, as well as plants and flowers. I feel most relaxed when I’m drawing from observation, and it’s nice when my sketchbook becomes a record of my life. Why did you start dabbling in ceramics? I started making ceramics with my mum back in 2012. She was an art teacher and had a kiln in her classroom, so the supplies were easily accessible to me. From there, I began taking classes in New York City. I like that it’s a break from my other work – I can relax while still being creative, and end up with a tangible piece.
What drew you to flowers as your decoration of choice? To be honest, it’s just easy! It’s something I can paint without thinking at all, which, for me, is the point of making ceramic pieces. With florals, I don’t have to do much to plan the composition. I’ve done them so many times I know exactly where everything is going to go, but it still allows me to play around with form and colour. The result is always pretty and decorative, which is usually the point of a vase or piece of pottery – there doesn’t need to be anything more to it than that.
What happens if you make a mistake while painting the clay? That doesn’t usually happen, but I can always wash it off or layer colours on top of each other. The underglaze isn’t permanent until it’s fired, so any errors won’t ruin the piece.
Are these pieces intended as artworks or to actually be used? It’s up to whoever they end up with! I envision some of the smaller plates as trinket dishes, to put on a bedside table or dresser and fill with jewellery or knick-knacks. I recently gifted a platter to a friend and she thought it would be the perfect challah plate to have on the table for Shabbat, so it would be for special occasions, but practical, too.
What are you working on right now? Many things! A book, book covers, greeting cards and flower pots… I think that’s it!
Are there any other mediums you’d like to try out? I’d like to paint more with oils. I’ve been trying it out here and there, but I always get sidetracked with other projects.
Which artists should we keep an eye out for? Recently, I’ve been looking at established American painters like Lois Dodd, Maureen Gallace and Fairfield Porter.
Where can we see more of your stuff? leahgoren.com or on
Instagram at @leahreenagoren.