Mid-Century Modern Studio Pottery Blue Ombré Letter Holder by Deanna Nichols

$250.00

Wall-mounted high gloss blue ceramic letter/recipe holder by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see last image).
This piece from Nichols’ early, post-graduate era (late 1960s) features an attractive ombré/color blending of blue hues, beginning with a hint of blue and ending at the top with a deep navy. Practical, stylish piece of American studio pottery from the Mid-20th Century.
Unsigned – from the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 11.25″ x L: 7″ x D: 2″

Vintage Ceramic Planter Vase with Botanical Relief Decoration by Deanna Nichols

$450.00

Studio pottery planter/vase by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA form Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
This piece dates to the early 1990s, based on the signature “D. Nichols,” which she used during that era.
Composed of a polychromed/color blended ribbed vessel with protruding rim featuring a laurel/leaf motif. Beautiful piece showcasing an attractive multi-layer color scheme of red, ochre, and brown.
From the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 6.5″ x Diameter: 7.88″

Petite Vintage Green and Blue Incised Ceramic Planter Vase by Deanna Nichols

$250.00

Small studio ceramic planter by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA form Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
This studio piece dates to the early 1990s, based on the signature “D. Nichols,” which she used during that era and features a design embracing both oceanic and botanical influences (two common motifs in Nichols’ work). Attractive sage green and cornflower blue palette with a bulbous-form vessel adorned with incised wisps/sinuous lines and beaded details.
From the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 5.25″ x Diameter: 6.38″

Mid-Century Modern Ochre Studio Pottery Bowl with Lid by Deanna Nichols

$375.00

Small round studio ceramic lidded-bowl by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA form Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
This studio piece from Nichols’ early, post-graduate era (late 1960s) features an attractive ochre with red and brown accents and a mottled white matte glazed interior with corresponding lid.
Unsigned – from the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
From the artist:
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 3″ (without lid) / 5.25″ (with lid) x Diameter: 6.75″

Vintage Studio Pottery Charger in Metallic Gray and Red Glaze by Deanna Nichols

$250.00

Studio ceramic charger by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
This studio piece from Nichols’ early, post-graduate era (late 1960s) features a brick red glaze over a graphite/gun-metal gray metallic base layer creating an attractive contrast of textures and colors.
Unsigned – from the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
From the artist:
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 0.75” x Diameter: 11.75”

Mid-Century Architectural Studio Pottery Organic Planter Vase by Deanna Nichols

$1,200.00

Large studio ceramic planter by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
Circa 1979 studio piece featuring a large, organic-form vessel in cream glaze over matte green with a protruding green ombré rim.
Incised “Nichols” signature present to the reverse.
From the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 9.75” x Diameter: 13.25″

Vintage Studio Pottery Metallic Blue Pedestal / Votive Holder by Deanna Nichols

$950.00

Multi-purpose ceramic pedestal (large votive holder, cake server, footed catch-all) by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA form Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
Circa 1979 studio piece featuring a metallic blue glaze with applied dots and incised linear textural elements present.
Incised “Deanna Nichols” signature present to the reverse.
From the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 15″ x Diameter: 12″

Large Vintage Architectural Studio Pottery Botanical Planter by Deanna Nichols

$1,400.00

Impressive, large studio ceramic planter by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
Circa 1979 studio piece featuring an autumn palette of oranges, reds, and browns, utilizing non-traditional pottery making techniques – cutting stencils and spraying negative and positive spaces with oxides on top of glazes to create botanical motifs.
Incised “Nichols” signature present to the reverse.
From the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 11.25″ x Diameter: 14.25″

Petite Vintage Ochre Studio Pottery Bowl by Deanna Nichols

$275.00

Small round studio ceramic bowl by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA form Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
This studio piece from Nichols’ early, post-graduate era (late 1960s) features an attractive ochre with red and brown accents and a mottled white matte glazed interior.
Unsigned – from the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces. Other small examples of Nichols’ work are photographed with this piece in the last image.
From the artist:
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 3″ x Diameter: 6.5″

Mid-Century American Modern Ribbed Studio Pottery Planter Vase by Deanna Nichols

$450.00

Impressive ceramic planter/vase by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
1970s studio piece (works made between 1971-79 were stamped “Nichols Ferenbach”) composed of a polychromed/color blended ribbed vessel with protruding edge featuring incised interlocking wave motif. Beautiful piece showcasing an attractive multi-layer color scheme.
From the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 9.13″ x Diameter: 10.5″

Large Vintage Architectural Incised Ceramic Planter Vase by Deanna Nichols

$1,200.00

Large studio ceramic planter by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA form Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
This piece dates to the early 1990s, based on the signature “Deanna Nichols,” which she used during that era and features a design reminiscent of ocean waves with its undulating curved linear pattern to the rim which protrudes out slightly from the vessel. The beige tones over sky blue base glaze give the piece a gentle, organic quality.
From the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 10.5″ x Diameter: 13.5″

Set of Three Vintage Matte Teal Glaze Studio Ceramic Bowls by Deanna Nichols

$650.00

Set of three small pottery bowl by ceramicist, Deanna Nichols (b. 1942-2017, Missouri).
Holding a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute (1965) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in California (1967), Nichols was educated in painting and complex pottery making techniques at an academic level and later served as an educator at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, and The Chrysler Museum School in Norfolk, VA.
The second floor of the new student center at Kansas City Art Institute is named for Nichols (see image).
Circa 1979 studio pieces featuring attractive matte teal and blue glaze vessels with applied notched handles and metallic gold accents to the bases’ interiors.
Incised “Nichols” signature present to the reverse.
From the family of Deanna Nichols’ personal collection of her pieces.
“I fell under the spell of the wheel, loving the physical beauty of the moves required to form clay and the sense of peace that came from throwing. Function has always been the thing that made it work for me. That and the people who take the pieces into their lives and make it all relevant. Should this lump of clay become a vessel and Should it dry without crack, Fire without flaw and Serve without breaking, Then may it claim For its maker A tiny bit of immortality.” – Deanna Nichols, 2008
H: 2.5” x L: 5.63″ x D: 5.13″