Dale Hartley's Buckeye Creek Art Studio

"I was exposed to art at an early age as my Mother was an Artist/Teacher with a degree in both Art and English. I remember painting with my brother on the back of a boat, working on clay in the backyard, and helping my Mom while she was taking a sculpture class. My Dad was a science teacher and then a field service engineer. He also painted a little and did mosaic in the backyard.

I loved clay and spent all my time in High School and College with clay as my primary media. Thus, I became a potter, working in clay for over forty years. Ceramics continues to fascinate me, as I love the earthiness, and I am always trying new things. Most recently, I have been exploring clay slips on the surfaces of my work and building larger forms. Most of my pieces are hand-built and fired multiple times to create colorful surfaces. Drawing became a way to generate ideas for the vessels I make. I enjoyed drawing so much that I started drawing my two kids. This expanded to painting what I saw outside my window and eventually plein’ air painting.

The creative process for me is very spontaneous and unpredictable. It’s an adventure with materials and ideas that lead hopefully to results I am satisfied with and are attractive to the viewer.” – Dale Hartley.

Dale’s work can be seen at The Gallery at Pioneer Bluffs near Matfield Green, Kansas, and her home Studio-Gallery, Buckeye Creek Art Studio.

Fifty-two of her clay vessels, tiles, and paintings were recently featured from April 11-June 7th at The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Images of her work have appeared in American Craft, Ceramics Monthly, and Clay Times magazines.