My name is Aspen Moreno
Learning how things work is fascinating to me. Toying with variables, running tests and experimenting with materials is the foundational theory to my work. I craft richly colored and textured glazes to adorn the handbuilt forms I create. In addition to intensive glaze research, Atmospheric firings, clay bodies and crafting techniques find their way into my work. I seek to strike a balance between beautiful and useful where the piece is appreciated but not untouchable, adored but not revered. Working With utilitarian forms, such as mugs, bowls ,and planters, I build the idea of “the beautiful mundane”. By elevating daily use and plain objects, I can emphasize the beauties and pleasures of the small moments in life, like a nice cup of coffee or tea. I also find it important to be able to not only interact with art, but to use, feel, play with and enjoy it. Tactility is just as impactful in my work as the colors of my glazes. Between handbuilding and fluctuating the surface texture of glazes, I carefully construct a tactile experience associated with each of my vessels. By composing each of these elements with great care, I create individual moments crystallized into usable forms.