PATTY FERGUSON

Clay Artist & Slab Potter

Patty Ferguson, a clay artist and slab potter, is one of the area's most respected and endearing new artisans. 

Being raised in Anadarko, the Indian Capitol of the nation, Patty was greatly influenced by the local Native American culture. Her grandmothers were part Cherokee and Seminole. The pottery she creates reflects that love for the Native People through her incorporation into her pieces of antlers, feathers, turquoise beads and stones. The predominant glazing color of her works is that of turquoise finished with a beautiful weathered, antique look.

Patty works her magic with clay from her home studio near Lake Lawtonka. To make slab pottery she must first prepare the clay.  Clay often has air bubbles trapped in it. The air in these tiny bubbles will expand when the clay is exposed to heat during the firing process and the pots can explode. There may also be wetter or dryer spots in the clay, so the clay must be kneaded thoroughly to develop a uniform consistency throughout.

Clay is kneaded on a hard smooth surface like a table top, which is covered with a piece of canvas to prevent the clay from adhering to the surface. The process is just like kneading bread or cookie dough. She gathers the clay into a ball and works it by pushing the clay away from her with the heels of her hands. Then she folds the clay back onto itself and repeats the process as many times as necessary until the clay feels uniform in texture and wetness. Next she rolls and stretches the clay as if it were pizza crust, sometimes using a rolling pin. The objective is to make the slab of clay a uniform thickness.

At this point, she forms her creation into whatever shape she envisions. When the object is finished, it is put aside to dry. When it is leather hard -- her designs or mixed media are added to the surface. When completely dry, the piece is ready to bisque fire.

Bisque firing a pottery piece makes it sturdier and allows it to accept the glaze added later. The bisque firing is slow and at a temperature less than what you find with glaze firing,

which is why the pottery doesn’t crack while being fired. She then transports her works to Oklahoma City where she does finishing work, glazing and final firings at 2,400 degrees. 

Many of her pieces are rather abstract in form while others are more traditional. They can serve as wall hangings, some as decorative pots for tabletop display and others have useful functions such as wine chillers or candle holders. Her favorites are large abstract bowls with mixed media such as feathers, leather, antlers or stones incorporated into the designs.

Her works are found in galleries and shops around southwest Oklahoma, including the Winery of the Wichitas and The Rusty Buffalo in downtown Medicine Park.  Patty often exhibits her pottery at showings in conjunction with her friend Tom Biggs, a Medicine Park watercolor artist.

Patty and her husband Jim are also the Innkeepers for The Medicine Park Cabin in Medicine Park. She can be contacted at 580.492.4589.

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