OPENINGS
onstellations, butterflies, and florals
rendered in porcelain. Using the simplest
of forms, this is the elegant work of
Unlike many other art forms, which come to
life while being created, with clay there are many
extra steps. Whether the surfaces are sanded,
glazed, or metal leafed, they are always rich. For her
constellation series, the work is arranged in the form
of actual constellations, connected with metal bands
and installed in an acrylic box. Some are finished with
palladium (or platinum) leaf, giving them a cosmic
feel.
The act of creation itself is restorative for
Waggoner. “Just the touch of the clay is soothing. I
go into my studio and go into my own little world,”
she says. Each work, or collection, is comprised
of several pieces, ranging from three to 200. One
collection for this exhibition is inspired by monarch
butterflies. It includes about 200 small pieces, each
glazed on the inside and then copper or gold leafed
on the bottom. They will be affixed to three large tree
branches that Waggoner cut herself on her in-laws’
ranch in Ralston, Texas. Her 12-year old son and his
friends helped remove the bark and sand them to a
silky finish. While natural looking, it does not have
the appearance of craft. Waggoner says, “My style is
minimal and sleek. I don’t like rustic.”
“I have been doing this for about 25 years,” she
continues.” It’s very technical. The art comes later.”
As a result, she has only been working as a fine artist
for the past six years, during which time she has
cultivated a national and international following. Her
style continues to evolve. “I’m trying to innovate and
do things I’ve never done before,” she explains. For
her upcoming exhibition at Laura Rathe Fine Art
she created a life-sized sculpture, done in porcelain
and combined with bronze. Gallery director Janice
Meyers notes, “I have worked with Lucrecia for years
and have watched her work grow. We are excited to
see this new evolution of her work.”
Waggoner’s studies have taken her around the
globe. She spent three years in Europe, first studying
fine arts in Cannes before moving to Germany.
Ironically, it was here that she studied Puebla pottery,
from the famous pottery-making region close to
her native Mexico City. She eventually went to the
Parsons School of Design in New York City and
says, “That’s were I started throwing and taking it
more seriously.” She then returned to Mexico and
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