Rebecca Kern

Drawn to the spontaneity of clay, Rebecca began taking classes and working at Pewabic Pottery in Detroit in the early 80’s.  Her formal education was interspersed with a career in automotive design. Spread out over several years, she eventually earned a BFA degree from University of Michigan and later an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.  As a clay modeler for General Motors,  Rebecca was immersed in a precise, academic approach to clay.  When that transitioned into digital sculpting, adding Ford, Mazda, and Kenworth Trucks to the list, it became even less intuitive.  Breaking free of that restraint, Rebecca established a home studio in 1999 and continued her exploration on her own time.

Upon her retirement, Rebecca’s move to the peninsula has brought with it a closer observation of  the ecology which surrounds her.  Running her dog Tosh along the Juan de Fuca Strait, she always has one eye on the piles of driftwood for unique shapes that would pair well with a vessel.  Stones for forming bowls weigh down her pockets. 

Along with the very natural glazes and organic shapes, Rebecca is currently exploring boxy vessels that allow the absolute creativity of the moment, spontaneously adding texture and color throughout the building and glazing process.  Happy to distance herself from the constraints of precision required by production but applying the acquired engineering and design knowledge,  Rebecca continues her journey, reaching for the next adventure.