Behind the Scenes: The Art of Pottery at Clay Explore
Step into my Prabhadevi studio where clay turns into everyday art. From wheel-throwing to the patient craft of Sgraffito, see how your ceramics come to life.
Here I am working on a very large, 20-inch plate. This video shows the Sgraffito process, where I carefully scratch away layers of slip to reveal the intricate lotus pattern beneath.
Ever wonder how my mugs are made? This video takes you through the hand-building process, from shaping the body to attaching the handle and smoothing the clay before it dries.
This video demonstrates the Sgraffito technique I use for my lotus motifs. I apply a layer of colored slip and then carefully scratch off parts of it to create a detailed, contrasting image.
Trimming is a crucial step to finish a wheel-thrown bowl. It involves removing excess clay from the bottom to ensure the piece has an even thickness and a clean, stable foot.
Here I am in my studio, hand-painting a bowl for an upcoming collection. This focused, meticulous work is where each piece gets its unique personality and artistic touch.
I make things! This short clip shows a variety of my work, from hand-painting floral patterns to stacking finished dinnerware sets, giving a quick look into my creative process.
This video shows me painting and carving a large bowl for my new monsoon collection. It's a process that requires skill, creativity, and a lot of patience to transform raw clay into art.
A busy day in the studio is a happy day. This video shows my team and me at work, fully engaged in the calming and mindful process of creating pottery by hand.
A random shot from the studio, showing dozens of mugs and bowls in their pre-fired 'greenware' state. This is just one stage in the long journey each piece takes before it's finished.
More works in progress at the studio. These plates have been thrown on the wheel and are now drying, waiting for the next steps of trimming, firing, and glazing.
About Behind the Scenes: The Art of Pottery
Every piece starts as a humble lump of stoneware clay here in my studio. Whether I am carving intricate lotus motifs using the Sgraffito technique—carefully scratching away slip to reveal the clay underneath—or trimming a bowl to ensure the perfect, stable foot, the process is intentional. This is not mass production; it is deliberate, slow work that ensures the plate or mug you hold is unique. When you visit or order from me, you are getting a piece that carries the energy of this process.
The Journey of Clay
People often ask why handmade ceramics have a different feel compared to factory-made options. It comes down to the process. My studio in Prabhadevi is where I turn raw, high-fired stoneware into functional art. From the moment I center the clay on the wheel to the final glaze firing, every stage is guided by my hands.
The Sgraffito Technique
One of the methods I love is Sgraffito. It requires a steady hand and patience. I apply a colored slip over the leather-hard clay and then scratch away designs—like my signature lotus motifs—to expose the natural clay body beneath. It creates a tactile contrast that you can feel as you run your fingers over a plate or tumbler. It is time-consuming, but the result is a design that is literally etched into the vessel.
Why the Lead Time Matters
When you see a 4 to 8-week timeline for custom restaurant or gift orders, it reflects the reality of pottery. Clay needs to dry slowly to prevent warping. It undergoes two distinct firing rounds in the kiln: a bisque fire to harden the shape, and a glaze fire to vitrify the stoneware for durability. Rushing these steps compromises the food safety and chip resistance of the final piece. My goal is to create ceramics that don't just look good on day one, but stand up to the daily rigors of a busy kitchen or office, all while retaining their handmade soul.
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