Artist: Amanda Zimlich

My journey in ceramics began in 2023 after attending a workshop on Orcas Island. Moonlighting with clay swiftly grew into an obsession. Now, after 30 years of a professional career as a chef, I experience the same satisfaction in clay as I have for many years cooking food.

My work is markedly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 1900s. This movement's philosophy embraces craftsmanship, embracing the natural world and resisting the impersonal stamp of industrialization. It is to ceramics as "farm-to-fork" is to modern cuisine. The movement's framework, highlighting raw beauty, seasonality and simplicity with intention makes my transition from food to clay appear not quite so random.

I am currently pursuing a Mastery of Ceramic Arts with The Ceramic School of Feldkirchen, Austria, where I am learning from and with ceramic artists from all over the world in a new Ceramics Research & Mentorship Program. Leveraging the expertise and coaching of my artist mentors, I am currently focusing on perfecting throwing techniques with porcelain and developing unique spraying and dipping glazes for my work. The landscapes and wildlife of the San Juan Islands serve as my muse as I experiment with sculptural designs and textures.

I created my studio at Otters Pond in 2024 as an outlet for my pottery. I invite you to stop in to Otters Pond Bed and Breakfast and shop my showcase by the entry way, make an appointment to visit me in my garage studio, come stay at Otters Pond Bed and Breakfast, or shop this site! I look forward to sharing my art with you.