12 Artists: Joanna Griffin

Elf #3 of 12 from Paint Metal & Mud Artists' Coop..here to give you a look behind the scenes of my pottery ....JOANNA GRIFFIN, Pomegranate Clay Studio.

3:45 am and through the window, past the bright flame of fir and balsam candles burning, my fingers slide through the creamy clay as I pull 13 handles for mugs to answer customer's dreams. Montana mugs...mugs with tall pines and words of peace, bold big black & white mugs for somebody's grown son, rainbowed mugs of joy, dinnerware mugs with "Stacy's Kitchen" scrawled purposefully for a husband's gift to his wife. And as I work I am whistling the Magnificat.

I see my work as both a prayer and its answer revealed. Sometimes it is mine...other times it is the relationship or dance I do with my customers. Words of hope, celebration, comfort and joy are woven with color and design. I often see my work as a line of functional greeting cards...dishwasher safe and ready to embrace your coffee, bring joy under your salad or a smile just when you need it.

Peruse the pics and swing by our coop...I will be behind the desk today..painting Montana on Christmas ornaments .

Are you seeing stars?

Then you are in luck!

Today through Saturday Joanna is offering you 15%
off any of her beautiful pottery that includes a 'star'

in it, on it or through it!

From gorgeous plates and platters, mugs that will warm your heart and hands to sweet little votive holders to add a little extra light when life needs it.

Shine on my friends!

Happy New Year! and New Guest Artist!

We hope you are all staying warm and comfy in this chilly start to the New Year!  The gallery remains toasty and full of art that is sure to bring you comfort!  

Need a new calendar to keep track of the days to come? Grab one of John Ashley's Glacier Park After Dark calendars that are not only full of his beautiful (and award winning) night time photography but also includes interesting scientific facts, details on events through the year that you might want to take a peak at!  (Did you know there is going to be a solar eclipse in August this year?!)








If you're looking to keep yourself warm in style, pour some cocoa or your favorite hot drink into one of Cheryl's or Joanna's beautiful mugs!






Or if wrap yourself up in a beautiful hand made quilt from Monique.  Who says that art can't also be functional!

While you're visiting be sure to check out our newest Guest Artist: Ron Kelly

Ron developed this decorative and pictorial mosaic style by laying precious and exotic materials into or onto a ground-work of solid wood. the intarsia wood decoration method dates back to the fifteenth century Germany and Italy, where the ancient art of intarsia was first used to create beautiful works of art from wood, inspiring both marquetry and inlay. Ron combines these past methods of art design with wood color and grain to produce the desired effect, adding a three dimensional element to each of his wildlife creations. Each art piece is an original design using color, grain of wood and style to create a unique wood masterpiece. 

13 Artists of Christmas- Joanna Griffin

Welcome to the Gallery!

We are very excited to welcome Joanna Griffin 

to our family of artists at Paint Metal and Mud!

Joanna has been working in CLAY and COLOR and WORD for over 25 Montana years.  All three are intrinsic to her art and are presented on finely designed and handcrafted pottery.  Looking for inspiration?  For a soothing comforting mug or a wedding gift that sings out a blessing?  With the spirit of a writer, she blends and weaves both graphic design and form along with brilliant color and verse. Her Montana roots echo a hint of landscape, while her native born African roots present themselves in whimsical figures and bright pattern..  "It has all evolved into something I perceive as a functional greeting card. ~ Dishwasher safe and designed to provide years of inspiration and function."

Born in Zimbabwe to missionary parents, Joanna graduated from Berea College, KY with a focus on clay. 

Her Montana journey began in 1981 and she has resided in Kalispell slnce 1984.

Stop in to see her beautiful and functional art in the gallery, and be sure to check out her website too:

www.joannagriffinpottery.com.