Jane Osti, Cherokee

Since 1991, Jane has been making traditional Southeastern Woodland/Mound builders inspired pottery, also contemporary woodland style earthenware and Raku pottery. Jane creates clay sculpture and slab built (flattened clay) masks, platters and shields that are inspired by Woodland arts and artifacts. The images usually depict abstract animals, landscape and nature, with symbols of endurance, protection and celestial activity. Her home and studio are in Tahlequah, OK. She graduated from Northeastern State University, with a Bachelors of Art, Fine Arts Magna Cum Laude in 1989 and a Masters of Science Education in 1992. "I began making wheel thrown pottery and sculptures at NSU with instructor, Jerry Choate. In 1989, I met Cherokee potter Anna Mitchell, who introduced me to traditional Cherokee pottery. I learned the basics of coil building and wood firing. In 1993, I studied with John Reeve (of the Barnard Leach school of pottery, London, England) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have been blessed to have had such wonderful teachers, whose inspiration, knowledge and creativity have given me a diverse and powerful connection to clay." Her pottery is coil built then decorated by incising or cutting the design into the clay or glazed for Raku firing. The pottery is wood fired or kiln fired or both, depending on the clay and the desired final outcome. She has traveled and exhibited extensively since 1991, doing Museum shows and Indian Markets.