A long time resident of West Virginia, Gail Anderson brings over thirty years of experience as a painter, potter and silversmith together to create unique lines of jewelry and pottery that blend the natural beauty of her surroundings into accessible works of art that you can touch and use in your every day life. Like any true artist, her love of making things goes back to early childhood where, "...the pleasure in a new box of crayons never dimmed. Over the years, the mediums have changed but the joy in finding a new material with which to express myself has always remained."
Growing up with two talented parents who enjoyed working with their hands, Gail learned a variety of textile arts, woodworking and stained glass. Under the tutelage of an inspiring art teacher she soon began what would be a lifelong exploration of oil painting, water colors, clay sculpture, wheel thrown pottery and macramé. In her early adult years she worked as a silversmith, adding the mastery of fine metalworking to her repertoire of skills. Over the next ten years she helped found the Zotter Pottery, serving as Principal Artist in what has become a highly successful production pottery. There's hardly a gift shop or bed and breakfast in the United States where you won't see a piece of their iron gray, New Geneva-style pottery, many still graced by her hand-carved or painted designs.
Inspired by the wild beauty of West Virginia, Gail was eager to establish her own studio where she could break free from the constraints of a single style. Initially focusing on the chemistry behind glazes, she then spent months of testing in order to develop the trademark colors that define her style. This effort produced such glazes as Northern Lights, Speckled Violet, Midnight, Pine Needles, Twilight, Sea Foam, and Amber Waves; names which call up images of the natural world that infuse her work. Then, drawing on her experience as a painter, she began adapting those techniques to the glaze materials she now uses on her line of hand-painted pottery or jewelry today. These unique pieces of art range from intricate landscapes on pottery to tiny flowers on an earring or necklace.
Recognizing the important role the arts serve in defining and preserving the unique character of our local communities, she is an active member and volunteer for The Arts Council of Preston County and the environmental organization Friends of the Cheat. Her studio is located in the historic business district of Kingwood, WV and is open by appointment.
