Elisabeth Pschaid

Ceramicist

©Elisabeth Pschaid

How discovering clay led to a new life

Elisabeth specialises in smoke firing her ceramics
She makes her own glaze recipes and tests them on clay tiles
Her tip for success is a solid education paired with a strong network

Elisabeth Pschaid’s journey as an artisan began when a ceramic artist invited her into her workshop and challenged her to shape a lump of clay. This invitation sparked a passion, leading Elisabeth to study at Ortweinschule for Art and Design where she specialised in ceramic forming. Then, she opened her own workshop in 2009. Elisabeth also attended workshops with skilled ceramicists abroad to refine her craft. She masters a range of techniques, including wheel-throwing and slab building and creates her own glazes. Additionally, she specialises in the unique smoke firing technique, which adds a distinctive touch to her ceramic work. "I see pottery as a way to bring joy and energy into everyday life," Elisabeth says. Her sources of inspiration are diverse, drawing from her travels and the influences of various cultures she encounters along the way.

Interview

©Elisabeth Pschaid

©Elisabeth Pschaid

Which aspect of ceramics often surprises people?: What often surprises people is that clay, which initially appears to be an easy material to shape, actually requires a great deal of skill developed through practice. It also requires extensive knowledge for creating detailed surface designs.
What life lesson have you learned through your craft?: I have learned perseverance, endurance and that success is not measured by wealth.
What does your creative process look like?: I rarely need to sketch out my ideas – I simply take a piece of clay to bring my idea to life using my hands. As for glaze recipes, I first calculate the formula, mix the raw materials and then test the result on a small clay tile. I refine the recipe until its appearance on the tile matches my expectations.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?: I would recommend a solid hands-on training that also includes an artistic approach. It is also important to connect with fellow artisans who have practical experience and are willing to share their knowledge.

Elisabeth Pschaid is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2006