My little story

Here is a photo of me, Véronique Martel, in all the splendor of my early childhood in Normétal. I am a native of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, more specifically La Sarre. I also lived in Jamésie (Matagami and Joutel) for a good part of my childhood. Abitibi is my homeland, but I had the feeling that I would miss out on something if I stayed there. So I left this distant territory in 2001 to go explore other lands. But as they say, you can take a girl out of Abitibi, but you can't take Abitibi out of her!!

I have had a pretty eventful life, in the literal sense of the word! I moved a lot, changed plans a thousand and one times to adapt to the ups and downs of life, but also because I can't sit still. I love change, the exhilarating feeling that the unknown provides.  I have it in my blood, it's in my DNA. I hate routine, predictability, boredom, ... I have run away from it my whole life! This applies directly to my ceramic production. I produce small series and I love constantly trying new techniques and/or decorations. I studied Applied Ecology, then Medical Laboratory. I practiced this profession for 18 years. I started in ceramic art in 2015. I enrolled in Craft Techniques - ceramics option at Cégep du Vieux-Montréal in 2014 and no one understood why! It was almost a whim. I felt that a part of me remained unexplored and that maybe, an artist lay dormant in me.

My hands needed to create, to explore. When I discovered clay, it was instant love. Hand-building clay is my preferred technique for producing my ceramic pieces. Occasionally, I can throw pieces on a potter's wheel, but I don't really like it! I like developing new techniques and pushing my own limits and those of the material. I favor natural and soft shades, as well as organic shapes. The leaves, ferns, mushrooms and flowers from my garden are my main source of inspiration. The spontaneity of the gesture and the continuous exploration of new glazes, textures and shapes allow me to pay tribute to the untamed beauty of the Abitibi boreal forest.

I use different shaping techniques including slab building on a round form, rolling, pinch pots, and coils. I like to have fun combining different techniques and adapting them to my practice. I mainly use semi-stoneware clays of different colors firing at medium temperature (cone 5-6). I also make ceramic jewelry that I sometimes combine with beads and natural stones.

I love flowers and plants. I have incorporated floral art into my artistic practice. I have a garden that is constantly expanding. I pick flowers there to make bouquets. You can get bouquets of dried flowers and floral creations.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Véronique