Veronica (Vicki) Sandercock

Artist Bio
Veronica Sandercock grew up in Quincy, Illinois close to the riverfront where she spent many summers exploring along the river’s edge and the natural world around her. This would leave a deep, lasting impression on her life and work, especially in clay and, most recently, eco-printing. A graduate of Quincy University with a degree in Fine Arts and

teaching, Veronica never wandered far from the Quincy community. Spending the last 25 years teaching and raising a family kept her grounded with deep roots here but left her with little time to create her own serious artwork. Yet encouraging her students to experiment with all media has been a fulfilling reward as she watches her students grow, and to her own growth as an artist.

Veronica has spent the last couple years experimenting with various clay bodies and glaze processes as she transitions into her retirement years when she plans to dedicate more time to her artistic vision. “My greatest challenge as an artist today, like most, is navigating through and beyond the current pandemic which has affected, changed, and shaped all our lives. From the way we work, to our relationships with others, we are all striving to “get our lives back” as we face our brave new world.

Artist Statement
As I move into my golden years, I have an increasing need to reconnect to the love and bond I had with nature as a child. As I try to create a deeper connection to my art, I find  that I still love to explore and play with whatever materials are at my disposal. But clay is the media I feel most connected to. My process often begins by experimenting with and pushing the elements. I love the texture and feel of clay not only in its raw state, but I often will leave many of my pieces partially unglazed in their finished forms. “Naked clay” is wonderful in its various colors and textures from pure transparent white porcelain to deep, rich, red and brown clays. I love to experiment with various clay bodies – each having their own challenges and process idiosyncrasies.

The two things that tie my most of my work together are my love of texture and natural, organic shapes. I love pattern as well, but it often happens in a very organic way through, for instance, my coil work or exploring the textures created by pressing anything into the clay. As a potter too, I rarely venture far from these themes in my utilitarian pieces. I do enjoy glaze work as well and have spent the past couple years exploring and experimenting with various glaze effects and combinations.

This show is a culmination of my explorations thus far. From the various clay bodies, including my more recent venture into paper clay, you can see my fascination for textures and patterns within the confines of both organic and classical forms.

 

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