| Marijke Terwisscha van Scheltinga was born in the Netherlands, where she attended art school for several years. She studied painting, drawing and textiles techniques. After moving to Florida in 1993 she discovered clay at a local high school. Interested in learning new techniques and materials she took up a pottery class and she has been hooked since. |
 |
Marijke has been working with clay for about 14 years. She experiments with different types of pottery making, all of them recognizable by a great attention to detail. She enjoys using clay as a medium to express herself as well as to profess her love for nature, particularly the landscapes and animals of the American west. Since moving to the United States, Marijke lived in various states in the south and west. After she moved to California she found herself awestruck by the magnificent landscape of California, of both the deserts and the coast. In these she finds great inspiration. "When I look around me I always see new ideas for my work"
Marijke"s work is diverse in its forms. She continues to develop her own style. She has made stoneware rattles and bells, decorated with animals, smaller pots, glazed, with lids decorated with animals, and whistels. She made her first bell for her mother, who collects bells, as a birthday present. Her mother loved it, and so did Marijke, which inspired her to continue making more. She has also continued to perfect her skills in wheel throwing, making pots from miniature to large size. She has been decorating both with animals and other natural artifacts, she saw during her travels, which then get a unique interpretation.
Lately Marij has started making rainsticks (clay "sticks" with small balls inside, that produce a gentle rain sound when turned). Her one of a kind tiles, are very decorative and designed as focal points in wall decoration.
Marijke is a member of the Muddy Parrots, a potters group based in Mentone, Ca; as well as the Yucaipa Potters guild. She is a member of the Redlands (CA) Art Association as well as the Riverside Art Association. She has been featured artist twice at the Redlands Art Association as well as the Riverside Art Association Gallery in Riverside, CA. Her work is on display in both galleries year round. She also participates in local shows throughout the year.
Internationally, her work was exhibited in a gallery in Gorinchem, The Netherlands, where it was very well received and sold out.
Marijke was featured in an article in the Press Enterprise, San Bernardino edition in April of 2007
Marijke has found her love in working with clay and is looking forward to continuing this fascinating journey she has started over 13 years ago.