TERRAFIRMA CERAMICS

Ellen Evans
New York City, New York

Founded by Ellen Evans in 1980, Terrafirma Ceramics is based in New York City. Over the years Ellen’s creative focus has been to design and produce high quality, functional works of art for the table and home using her unique, original process. Patterns are created by painting through textiles and lace using liquid porcelain to produce a distinctive “one of a kind” result. The base of warm, natural stoneware juxtaposed with vibrantly colored and patterned porcelain surfaces achieves the casual yet sophisticated look that has become her signature in both dinnerware and accessories.

Each Terrafirma piece is entirely handmade from stoneware and porcelain at their Queens studio. After being shaped by hand, several layers of porcelain clay are then poured on the top surface to create a white background. The surface of the pottery is then painted through lace or fabric laid on top of each piece to add color and a unique surface texture to the delicate porcelain. When each piece is then fired at high temperatures, the stoneware and porcelain become vitrified (transformed into glass), meaning they are highly resilient to everyday use, will not soak up liquids, and are completely food and dishwasher safe.