EAST Interview: Melanie Schopper's Colorful Cups

Every now and again an everyday object will catch our eye with its clean lines, its bright alluring colors, and simple sophistication. Such is the case with every cup Melanie Schopper designs and makes. Using a clay process known as slip casting and her uncanny eye for color combinations, Schopper is able to bring new life to a traditional form. A member of Handmade Austin Women, Schopper will be showing her work at Ginko Studios (800 Gullett St.) during this year's East Austin Studio Tour.

Briefly describe the slip cast process.  How is it different from other clay techniques?  What about slip casting appeals to you? 

Slip casting requires a plaster mold to make the forms.  The slip is liquid clay, and the plaster is the “cup”.  Molds make volumes that are hard to build by hand.  I made a larger piece for EAST, and realized it sort of felt like a balloon - it had a lot of interior space that was very light.  I like the light feeling my shapes inherit from the molds. Additionally, I like slip because it is easier to recycle than solid clay.  I can let trims and broken bits dry out, then I enjoy crushing them up and dropping them in a bucket of water. In a couple days, my clay is soft and smooth again.  For me, this method is much nicer than wedging and kneading whole clay. Also, I like making the same shapes in a series so the performance pressures are less. If I make a few of the same cup or cast, I feel free to experiment with cut and color without worrying that I am going to lose it.  I can pursue a good idea repeatedly until I get it “right”.

Color seems to play an important role in your work - what are some of your favorite colors and shades?  What rules do you use for picking color combination? 
 
I found myself really enjoying this one hot orange I found. Its technical name at the clay store is “Orange Ya Happy”. So dorky! That orange just pops. My favorite color combination is light blue with red or orange.  The red and blue make me think of Superwoman, but I call that one Americana. When I have a good combo, I name it.  There’s one that’s chartreuse on the inside and dark brown outside, that’s the Tree.

Colors I like, I focus on.  When I glaze, I line up a grid of cups, then assign each line a color.  Once I’m done painting the interiors, I mix the grid. Each line in the new grid gets a mix of interior colors, so some mixes are intended, and others inherited.
           
What excites you about the professional craft scene in Austin?  What frustrates you?  You showed your work at Austin Handmade - is the closure of their store a big setback for you and other artists? 
 
We’ll miss Austin Handmade because their heart's are in the right place, and so are ours.  Why did they fail? Am I going to have to quit some day? I know all artists have this fear.  Hard reflections. 

Luckily, new local shows and annuals keep opening up.  Our “craft “ scene is growing at a pace I appreciate.  I moved here in 1991, and the art has waited all this time.  Austin is still little and cute, and we let the garage rock music show the way.  Now we finally have some producers making Austin’s art scene. I think Austin has become an entertainment destination that finally diversified.

I don’t feel too frustrated, except I don’t have health insurance.  I guess that’s my fault. Is it money or lack of association? Artists will be the last - we’re all so independent! That’s a glass ceiling that really makes you feel a little small.