Tracy-Hartman-Jensen


I’m a native Puebloan and have resided in Pueblo County
all my life. However I have had the opportunity to travel
extensively here and abroad.  I attended the University
of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University-
Pueblo) where I earned my B.S. Degree in Fine Art.

My Home and Studio “The Blue Parrot Pottery” is 15 miles
east of Pueblo overlooking the confluence of the Chico
and Arkansas Rivers, near the small community of
Avondale.
It is here that I live with my husband Carl and our
menagerie of dogs and birds in our solar adobe home
which we built over 30 years ago.

Over the years I have worked with a variety of materials,
but there is nothing like the seductive nature of clay.
My works include one-of-a-kind sculptures as well as
functional pottery.

Each piece is hand formed from local clays.  The majority
of my glazes are compounds of simple earth oxides and
wood ash.  All of my glazes are lead-free.

I use a variety of firing process.  However a large portion
of my work is fired in a wood kiln, which is located near
Penrose Co.  Wood firing is a lengthy and argues
process.  For 20 – 30 hours wood is continually stoked
into the fire boxes of the kiln eventually reaching white
hot temperatures of 2350-2400 F.  After a cooling period
of 48-72 hours the kiln door is removed brick by brick.
With much anticipation each piece emerges, every pot
unique to its placement in the kiln.  Each piece
embellished with color, texture and character which is
enhanced by ash and flame.  Wood firing has a long
history. It is a communal event and is always a great
time to gather with other potters for a common goal.

My intent is that these pieces stand alone as visual
objects.  My hope is that they move beyond that to
express emotional, sensual, tactile, spiritual and ritual
sensibilities.

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