Cosmic Animal Ceramics

I create porcelain ceramics inspired by the emotional and symbolic language of animals. Each piece is a collaboration between form, function, and feeling—designed to be held, used, and lived with.

I paint and transfer my animal imagery onto bright, custom mid-fired glazes, drawing from three sources:
my own watercolor paintings, my hand-drawn graphic illustrations, and 1800s scientific drawings from the public domain. Some are quiet and precise, others are vivid and cosmic—each one carries a message.

Before returning to clay, I spent a decade painting animals in watercolor, exploring the emotional intelligence they reflect back to us. Now, I’m bringing that same soul and symbolism to functional pottery and sculptural forms. I want my ceramics to feel like tools for reflection—beautiful objects that reconnect you to your inner world every time you sip your tea or set your table.

I work with Cone 6 porcelain and custom glaze finishes, often combining bright color with detailed surface imagery. Each animal is chosen for its natural behavior and metaphor, reminding us that art can be both useful and meaningful.

-Tanya Casteel