Ellany's career in clay began at Hunter College in New York City in 1976. Though formally educated, she claims to be mostly self-taught. She has taken many workshops with various colleagues and clay artist including Pete Pinnell, Woody Hughes, Susan Peterson, Jeff Shapiro, Steven Hill ….. and many, many more.
After student teaching at Marymount Manhattan College, she opened Honey Hill Pottery in Callicoon, NY.in 1997. Inspired by the beauty around her, she continues to refine her style and holds workshops and symposiums for people interested in clay.
“Since I was a young girl, I have always investigated the variety of cultures that make up our world. I would pull inspiration from tribal people when life in New York City wasjust too much concrete for me.
Throughout history, anthropologists have been able to depict precisely how ancient people lived through the study of the pottery found at ancient sites. The timeless durability of these ancient pots held stories like secrets, for hundreds of thousands of years.
Over the milennia, along with globalization has come the dilution of many distinct cultural traditions.
Through my work with clay, I strive to bring up to date and to the table, a modern-day depiction of our own rich cultural heritage. The vessels I strive to make are timeless and speak of beauty. Durable and distinct, my pots are tactile and speak at once to your fingertips.
Touch, which is vital to human existence, creates a sense of belonging: be it to a certain tribe or culture, to the family of humanity, to tradition, or to a shared meal together. My pots speak of connectedness in this present day.
There is no better way to nurture yourself than with food prepared and served in a handmade, mindfully made pot. They are timeless, durable and pleasing to the senses. You will find that my pots exude the qualities of beauty and usefulness, just as we, the family of humanity do.”
After student teaching at Marymount Manhattan College, she opened Honey Hill Pottery in Callicoon, NY.in 1997. Inspired by the beauty around her, she continues to refine her style and holds workshops and symposiums for people interested in clay.
“Since I was a young girl, I have always investigated the variety of cultures that make up our world. I would pull inspiration from tribal people when life in New York City wasjust too much concrete for me.
Throughout history, anthropologists have been able to depict precisely how ancient people lived through the study of the pottery found at ancient sites. The timeless durability of these ancient pots held stories like secrets, for hundreds of thousands of years.
Over the milennia, along with globalization has come the dilution of many distinct cultural traditions.
Through my work with clay, I strive to bring up to date and to the table, a modern-day depiction of our own rich cultural heritage. The vessels I strive to make are timeless and speak of beauty. Durable and distinct, my pots are tactile and speak at once to your fingertips.
Touch, which is vital to human existence, creates a sense of belonging: be it to a certain tribe or culture, to the family of humanity, to tradition, or to a shared meal together. My pots speak of connectedness in this present day.
There is no better way to nurture yourself than with food prepared and served in a handmade, mindfully made pot. They are timeless, durable and pleasing to the senses. You will find that my pots exude the qualities of beauty and usefulness, just as we, the family of humanity do.”
